Mondays

I have managed to use this blog as a relatively neutral posting location... aside from the fact that there's not much neutral about the cause. But today I have a personal post that ties in with the main cause. So here goes

Dear Angry Dude in the Subaru,

I know I got in your way this morning, but I'm not sorry. I saw you speeding (like REALLY speeding) and just thought of all the kids, pets, wildlife, cyclists... and PEOPLE that live on this block. The thought of a dented bumper really didn't bother me when compared to the thought of someone smashed trying to get across the road, or get into their car. I've got insurance on my car, but you can't fix dead.

I pulled out in front of you, it's true. Granted, you had half a block to slow down. I'm not sorry that I got in your way, had you been traveling 30mph you wouldn't even have noticed me. It's really scary that you almost hit that parked car when you stepped on the gas and pulled out to pass me, but in that parked cars defense, it was in the parking lane. (that's what those solid white stripes are)

I saw you take a photo of my plates, and I saw you make a quick phone call. It would be a shame if you called 911, you'd be wasting their time. I don't think that the city would side with you on this one, even if you were late to work. I didn't even bother to get your plates. Usually I call in folks with road rage but these days I'm sick to death of drivers like you, and honestly your antics weren't that memorable compared to some.

You have helped me grow. You made me think of trying a new campaign for Cedar Ave United, or rather, an adaptation of a popular campaign: 'Be a Pace Car, not a Race Car'. You got me thinking that if everyone who lived near Cedar made a pledge to go 30 or less that maybe folks like you wouldn't use Cedar as a highway anymore. There's thousands of us, and we're all responsible for what happens on our streets.

So grow up, and slow down. Accept that it's going to take 10 minutes to get to the highway no matter who you are behind. You'll feel better and live longer.

-Will




I hope he reads this. I don't know what else to do about these folks. The city doesn't seem to take traffic issues seriously. Enforcement is so expensive and making it effective would mean 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can paint as many lines as we want, but it's only going to work on a few people, the ones with a conscience (that's all of you good folks, or you likely wouldn't be interested in this blog :)

We need some pace cars. We need a lot of them. We need some brave folks who don't mind being screamed at or on the receiving end of misplaced rage. I've been setting my cruise control at 30 for the last 2 years. It's easy and you don't have to worry about speeding. Besides, if you go 30, you WILL hit every green light. It's really surprising!

If we get enough of our friends and neighbors to subscribe to this hot new fad, maybe we can calm things culturally. A Culture of Calming. (Hey, that's fun to say) If we can slow things to the speed limit maybe folks won't use Cedar as a shortcut, maybe folks will end up looking around and paying more attention (maybe). Maybe they'll see all the folks that live on Cedar and rely on the street to get safely from place to place (by foot, car, bike, bus etc)

I would like to talk about this a little at our next meeting, WHICH IS THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPT 6TH. See the website for directions www.cedaraveunited.org

Hope to see you all there. Drive safely and remember, Pace Car not Race Car

Announcement from Aug 17th meeting, and other stuff

Hello Cedar Ave United,

I want to thank everyone that attended our most recent meeting (last Monday) and remind everyone that we will revert to our FIRST WEDNESDAY schedule starting on the 2ND OF SEPTEMBER.

For those of you that missed the meeting with County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, the minutes will be out soon and posted on the website (http://www.cedaraveunited.org/meetings.html)

We have created a few committees: Executive Committee, for people interested in the operations and organizing of CAU; Yard Sign committee, for folks who would like to create and distribute CAU poetic yard signs (see blog posting: http://cedaravenueunited.blogspot.com/2009/08/use-burma-shave.html ); and a Line Striping Party Committee, to plan our first big getting-things-done celebration. if any of these interest you please e-mail me. We can always use another set of helping hands.

We are also in need of folks interested in cleaning up the intersection of 42nd and Cedar. This event will be held in conjunction with SENA (Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Associate) and Mpls Great Streets Program. If you are interested in participating or organizing please e-mail me ASAP. Projects will involve: garbage pick-up, weeding, painting and more! We're going to make this place SPARKLE! We are hoping to get a date picked out in the next few days, so be sure to e-mail soon. I will e-mail again about the event as it develops.

CEDAR AVE UNITED T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!!! They look great! Thanks to Michelle at www.Dragonflypromo.com for having these made. Nice bright 'road sign' green with CAU logo on the front, web address on the back. They are $12. quantities are limited so e-mail me today if you are interested.

Remember to keep an eye on the website and blog for updates and events. And remember that if you have issues related to traffic, safety and environment on Cedar you can report them using the See Click Fix tool at http://www.cedaraveunited.org/seeclickfix.html . Your report will go to the city of Minneapolis 311, and you will get an e-mail response almost immediately!

Good work everyone, lets keep it rolling!

Will

4500 Cedar

Tonight's the night

Tonight is our meeting with Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.
I've been putting together some questions in the little time between the 2 jobs I work. I'm all about diplomacy, but we need to start asking the tough questions... so here goes. I will try to get these in at some point tonight. What we need to hear from commissioner McLaughlin is that Hen County is ready to commit to the safety issues on Cedar Ave. We really would be an easy area to SHOWCASE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY COMPLETE STREETS POLICY. A high traffic area, with thriving businesses etc etc. we will always be a busy area, making it better will be the most effective advertising the county could do, while simultaneously improving the living environment for tens of thousands of people living in South Minneapolis.

So here are the questions I've worked up. We'll see what gets covered tonight.

Cedar Ave Future; a growing problem:


Cedar Avenue Transitway

The Cedar Avenue Corridor connects Lakeville to Bloomington. Forecasts indicate the traffic at CR-42 and Cedar Ave. will almost double from 70,000 vehicles per day to 130,000 vehicles by 2030. (According to Dakota County: http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/EnvironmentRoads/Transit/PublicTransportation/CedarAve.htm)

This figure is used in the language for the Cedar Ave Transit Corridor project. Much of this traffic will stay on 77 and 62, but many will choose Cedar Ave within Minneapolis, adding to the already poor conditions.

Parts of Cedar Avenue carry over 20,000 cars. That's only 1/3 less than Hiawatha, a 4 lane, 45mph express roadway. Hiawatha accommodates the excessive noise with sound barriers and WIDE spacing between cars and homes. Cedar is not able to do that.

Why has Hennepin Co not made any plans to deal with this staggering prediction?

The Population of Minneapolis is lower now than it was 20 years ago. (even in 1950! according to Wikipedia census records) Cedar ave is, by definition, an 'A' Minor arterial designed to service the immediate neighborhoods and short trips. NOT serve as a major throughway/hiway. With less people, why is it busier than EVER. Assuming that the designation was made (back in the 1960's) with housing and environment in mind, why has it been allowed to spiral out of control?

Our homes are not zoned any differently on Cedar than any other residential roads.

*Currently the vibration is compromising the integrity of the plaster (cracking and shaking loose) in MY home. I can't imagine I'm the only one! A recent addition made to the home was done with an NRP loan, the damage being done by the shaking will negate any value added to the property... improving house stock is the main reason that these loans are given, stabilizing the environment might be a better solution. Bottom line; these environmental issues will continue to erode the tax base in the corridor, making a lot of people VERY angry when the property taxes increase about 12% in the next two years.

Reasons for an infrastructure improvement:

Noise levels on Cedar Ave greatly exceed state (65 db(A)) and national standards. A recent preliminary noise reading measured off peak traffic noise at 73 db(A). This measurement shows that perceived noise for homes, businesses and parks along Cedar is nearly TWICE the state limit, and subsequently TWICE the maximum airport noise allowance based on class action lawsuits.

The major factors in traffic noise are speed and vehicle composition. According to Jim Grube at Hen. Co., and based on a very recent test, the traffic routinely exceeds 35 mph. Based on recent observations by residents and the Minneapolis speed wagon, it is not unusual to see vehicles in excess of 50 mph.

A dollar amount can be applied to the loss in property values along the corridor based on miles per hour over 30 and/or db(A) over 65.

But:

more vehicles = high noise levels

fast traffic = high noise levels

reduced vehicles = higher traffic speeds
so again:
fast traffic = high noise levels


It’s a catch 22; the only way to fix this, realistically and cost effectively, is with physical improvements.


How do we reduce all these factors to bring Cedar back within compliant noise levels?

It will only take a small reduction in traffic speed to bring the noise within acceptable levels. Strangely enough, 30 mph is the speed below which traffic noise would likely be below 65 db(A). It's ALSO the fastest speed at which a pedestrian would expect to survive if hit (still injured, just 60% or so less likely to die)

-Effective enforcement must be 24-7; Minneapolis is not willing/able to do this.

-We need an infrastructure that will reduce speeds.

-We need elements that will allow residents to cross the road to access parks, businesses and transit.

-CAN WE PIGGY-BACK PHYSICAL CHANGES WITH UPCOMING AND ONGOING UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS?

-curb bumpouts, protected parking, raised crosswalks etc.


That's what I've got so far. I certainly hope that we can approach some of these topics this evening.

Use Burma Shave!

a few of us met last week to discuss how the Minneapolis Great Streets program and structure could be adapted to our mission here at Cedar Ave United. One thing discussed in Great Streets efforts (or so I'm told) is marketing area businesses by making signage... Since most of our area on Cedar is residential (most, but by NO means all!) this leads us to the yard sign.

Minnie, one of our members, dabbles in poetry. She says she writes 'little ditties'. They're really great! She suggested that we take a Burma Shave approach. I didn't quite know what she meant by that. but I soon found out.

Burma Shave is known for it's unique advertising approach comprised of series of signs. Some of you are probably familiar with this, but it was a little before my time:) The 5 or 6 signs would fit together to make a rhyme. Motorists would drive past these signs and 'get the message'. The campaign was wildly successful. She loaned me the book. I read the whole thing. It's pretty good!

Stuff like:

In this vale
of Toil and Sin
your head grows bald
but Not your chin
use Burma Shave

so here is a witty ditty from Minnie. I think we should use it:

Please slow down
no need to rush
If you crash
you might be mush!!

the lights ahead
that you can see
change every two minutes
believe you me

let the pedestrians
cross the street
so they don't end up
under a sheet

we value our children
each and every one
going to funerals
is Never fun

Elko speedway
this is not
respect our homes
we love you a lot


I love em! I think we could break them into stanzas and put them up and down the road. We could move them around to various locations, and of course follow each up with a 'Cedar Ave United' sign.

We'd need plywood, furring strips, green paint, white paint, brushes, stencils and artists. I'm all for it, any other takers?? We'll mention it at the meeting this next monday.

ALSO: this is particularly appropriate seeing as how the Burma Shave headquarters was located near the intersection of Cedar and Lake ON Cedar Ave!! Maybe that's why I love this idea so much! Thanks Minnie!