Critical Mass!

Here is the online form to report traffic issues to Hennepin County:

http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/forms/transp/traffic_problem_form.htm

I suggest that everyone that has discussed a problem with CAU report those issues to the county in separate forms. This may be the most direct way to create a critical mass and support positive change for our cause. Make sure you print a screen capture if you think of it, just to keep track of what you have submitted. I would also suggest, like they do at Minneapolis311, that you report you issue every time you notice the problem. So don't worry about reporting it more than once.

And, I would suggest reporting it ALL.

Thanks everyone!

National Speeding Crackdown Boost Budgets

This article is worth reading.

Of particular interest to me is the mention of 'Travel Safe' zones, where fines are doubled to promote safer driving practices. This would be worth looking into for our area.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-30-speeding-cushion_N.htm?csp=usat.me

Cedar could be a real jackpot for the city, which in turn could help the area!

Any input on the 'Travel Safe' zones??

Hello All! Some of you may have noticed a small addition to the repretoire of Cedar Ave Signage. I just wanted to post a bit from a letter I got from Councilmember Quincy yesterday.

Horay! :

Hi Will,

I wanted to alert you to the fact that our office has been working with county staff on signage on Cedar Avenue. As Scott Benson and I transitioned the office projects with my election, this project was one that made both of our lists of priorities.

We will continue to make efforts for improved signage and other speed calming techniques with the county and city street control operations – but we thought you should celebrate the fact that a solar powered “speed wagon sign” is now permanently installed on the north bound lane of Cedar – immediately after the highway entrance. It has been a long time coming, but another positive step forward in Cedar Avenue United’s agenda. Thanks for your diligence and grassroots efforts!

Here is a link to my newsletter archives, should you want to see what we are talking about:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/ward11/Ward_11_Speeches-Publications.asp

Thanks!

John Quincy

City Council Member

Ward 11

Also wanted to remind everyone that This Next Week will be the next meeting of CAU. I'm still tying up some loose ends with out upcoming Boulevard Garden event. Once it's set up I will send out a lager mailing.

Good Things in the works! Come help us take the next step!

Thanks EVERYONE!

-Will

Fantastic meeting last night. Only 4 folks, but very productive.

CAU will be presenting a Boulevard garden workshop in two sessions, classroom and on-site, this spring/early summer.

All green thumbs take note! I'll be trying to rustle up some resources in the following weeks.

ALSO: interested in creating an 'Adopt a Boulevard' partnership between Cedar Corridor businesses and residents. We did a bit of work with SENA, Great Streets and 42nd and Cedar businesses last summer. This would take it to a new level. Like adopt a highway, only more personal. We'll see what starts to take shape and talk about it more at the next meeting in March.

Stay tuned for the dates for the GARDENING WORKSHOPS. I should have those within the next week or so.

Until next time!

Will
4500 Cedar

New Direction, Same Message?

Hello CAU,

Quick note here. At the last meeting there was discussion on the future activity of CAU. One of the major things I came away with is that we need to be more event focused. Fun and community building rather than all-out politics.

So I am proposing a new direction. We all had so much fun with our events this past year, so lets focus on that.

I have begun setting up a Boulevard Gardening demo, which could be followed by a contest etc. This is something that will be discussed at next weeks meeting.

It also follows that next year, perhaps a Christmas Light challenge. (no better way to draw attention to our awesome neighborhoods than by making them glow in the dark!)

Perhaps a CAU plant swap? There are a number of other orgs in the area that we could work with on this.

There are also a number of ways to include our businesses in this. Perhaps an Adopt a Blvd Garden?

This is just a start. There's so much more to discuss! I would like to continue with our Burma Shave Signs (as soon as the ground thaws!) AND the Pace Car idea. I think they will work well with our events.

So, let's become events based! Let's build our community up, Let's make this next summer a fun one!!

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD AT 6:30


View Larger Map

1900 East 40th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55407-2930

Say what you will about snow. But snow is a fantastic sound absorber and natural traffic calming device. Nothing makes you slow down and pay attention like the risk of life and limb.

More please!

signs - things to come?

In the past month or so there's been some conversation about LOW cost solutions to pedestrian issues. I've done a fairly extensive literature search on the most effective safety devices and found these:

http://www.safehitlx.com/default/face.php?C=RT360_signs

Of all Blinky lights and neon painted cones, these are the most effective for slowing vehicles and improving pedestrian safety (see: Innovative Treatments at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing
Locations - Herman Huang, Charles Zegeer, Richard Nassi)

And HEY! at a couple hundred bucks a pop these are EASY to raise money for... OR perhaps concerned neighborhood groups could sponsor a few of these in trouble spots.

I've also read that these paired with curb bump-out are a very effective combo!

This might be the next big push, we'll see what research and opinion turns up. Feel free to comment here.

Got Data back from the city (Data with a capitol D!) about the traffic speed vs. time of day and found some interesting trends:
-Rush hour is just that, a rush. Well over 50% of the traffic using Cedar at that time are traveling in excess of 35mph, in a posted 30mph zone.
-The information, at first glance, indicates that it is the through traffic commuters that are doing the speeding (is that a surprise to anyone?). On my block from 6-7am there were 659 cars headed North, towards the city, while there were only 374 headed South, out of the neighborhood. Of the [commuter etc] vehicles headed North 55% are FAR over the speed limit (greater than 5mph, about 17% faster). Of the Southbound traffic, presumably neighborhood headed towards the highway, only 31% were over 35mph.
-the morning ratio shows about 2/3 of all vehicles are headed North
-in the evening it's about 50/50 although Southbound is slightly higher. Since the heaviest backups occur at night, it would be worth seeing if the additional vehicles are using other streets to go South.

Hey, that tells me something interesting. To ME it indicates that Neighborhood traffic acts more responsibly... Good for us! This is reassuring. But on the downside, generally at least 50% of all cars are moving far in excess of the speed limit during 'off times' (even at 3am) which contribute to a lot of problems; ped safety, noise etc. These numbers give no indication exactly how much over 35 the cars are traveling.

I think that this give us a better handle on where to focus. I think it's been pretty obvious to residents of Cedar. We all knew that commuter traffic was heavy, but I didn't realize HOW heavy... and the speeds of what I call neighborhood vs commuter are very interesting.

I'm working on getting these number to the local precincts in order to inform them of the best times to patrol... and which side.
Thanks go to Jim Grube at the county for sharing these numbers. I'll work on getting them up here so you can all see what I'm trying to describe.

So now is the big question, how do we slow down through traffic... those that don't live in our area and have no vested interest in the quality of life around Cedar? Any thoughts??

Idea for Crosswalk Signage on Cedar Ave

A GREAT idea was passed on to us from Stephanie, the block leader on 44th and Columbus regarding signage for crosswalks at the intersections of 44th and 47th Streets and Cedar Avenue.

It seems part of the hesitation by the city to put a crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection is fear that traffic would not yield to pedestrians. I think her idea to put signage IN THE STREET, as well as on the boulevards, would make the crosswalk much more visable, and is substantially less expensive than a traffic light.

I've attached pictures of this type of sign...this one is at the interesection of 65th and Woodlake in Richfield. They also added wide, white stripes several yards before the intersection, as a further visual clue to watch for pedestrians.

Hooray!!

In case you haven't seen yet (since they came out this morning) we made the FRONT page of Southside Pride!!

The signs, however, are down temporarily since the Park Board wasn't too keen on having them in the easement. They will be up again SOON, hopefully tonight... and will be followed shortly by 2 other sets.

If you block is interested in creating these please let us know. The material for these sets was donated, but we now have a formula for creating successful, legible signage. They even Shine in the Dark!

-Will

Cedar Ave, Edgewater Blvd and Chain of Lakes Parkway

It's time to discuss Edgewater and Cedar. This is one of the most contentious points of discussion on see click fix within the Cedar Ave corridor.

here are the facts:

• Highway 77 stops and Cedar Ave begins
• Cedar Crosses the Chain of Lakes Parkway
• Edgewater Blvd terminates onto Cedar
• Turning traffic is not accomodated headed North
• 4 lanes condense to 2 in an intersection
• well over 20,000 vehicles use this small strip of land
• Traffic backups can stretch for miles headed North in the AM and South in the PM indicating HEAVY commuter traffic
• Pedestrian and cycle traffic from the park is heavy in this area
• outside seating is present at Fat Lorenzo's

Obviously there is a lot going on. In previous years there had been discussion of how to mitigate various issues. There were talks of a roundabout, talks of closing edgewater, adding turn lanes etc. Here is the same intersection in 1966 just before the freeways came through:

click the photo to see the full intersection

What was done then does not appear to be working now. It is time to rethink this again. I think that we should stick with Jean R. in the 'do no harm' approach. That is, we need to avoid turning this into a problem elsewhere. Let's fix it for real, and for good. Based on discussions over the last year I think there will be a number of very well thought out ideas for solutions.

since this is my blog, here are my ideas. I encourage people to chime in with responses and alternate ideas... dialogue is the only way we're going to fix this!

Issue, Heavy traffic backups created by turning traffic and a mid-intersection merge.
my solutions:
1. Add a stoplight farther south on 77. create a 4 stop way that deals with traffic coming off of 62 headed North, busses headed to 62 west and through traffic headed on to Cedar. Make the lane reduction here. 1 lane will continue on to Cedar. Incorporate access to the Crosstown Service Road and integrate traffic exiting to Cedar from 62 West. (the access to service drive would create a new access to the area now accessed by edgewater.) Close edgewater to anything but right turns. (or block completely) Use the additional space, now occupied by a poorly conceived 2nd lane, for creating a designated left turn lane. Make painted medians into hardscape and incorporate landscaping. make accommodations for the HIGH amount of pedestrians that use this area. Also consider bike lanes since fast cycles crossing on park trails can be in serious danger from turning vehicles.

2. Or, Add stoplight as mentioned above, condensing Cedar to 1 lane each way, and create a 1 lane roundabout at the intersection. Create a full, landscaped median on the south side of the junction. This will allow traffic that would be turning left onto edgewater to travel completely around the intersection and access Edgewater by way of a right turn. A roundabout does a couple things. Of course it slows traffic and gives the same access, but it also reduces potential vehicle conflicts. It will also effect traffic psychologically by cutting off a clear line of view up Cedar.
Stoplights are fun (aren't they!) but the race to catch the green only contributes to the problem of speed. And it's hard to run a red when there's no light! Roundabouts are also friendly for peds and bikes since crossings are moved out of the intersection.
Here is a great site about roundabouts from the MNDot: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roundabouts/ Check out the statistics and capacity... Drastically lower crash ratings and fairly high capacity, though slower speeds.

Note-I also think this would be an excellent solution to the host of problems playing out at the intersection of Cedar and Minnehaha Parkway. The narrow lanes dont allow for North/South turnlanes from East/West traffic. A roundabout would eliminate the need for turn lanes, and add to the 'park feel' which is so lacking here. to me it feels like a freeway through a greenspace. This could be viewed as a large scale, 'placemaking'.

The issue of heavy through/commuter traffic has been discussed many times. Delivery services are essential, but Cedar is not a shortcut. By creating a slight resistance to the traffic flow, making it feel slower, I believe that we can clear up some of the folks who think Cedar is a shortcut. (it's not by the way... 35 is probably still faster, and Hiawatha is practically EMPTY) Cedar, a two lane road, already carries 2/3 the traffic as Hiawatha at the same cross streets. Eliminating some of the non-stake holder traffic will allow us to deal more effectively with local traffic sources, to make Cedar serve it's purpose to those who live on or near it, and the immediate community members that rely on it. That's the WHOLE IDEA. The freeways were installed to eliminate the problem we're having now. It's spelled out in the planning docs from the 1960's. Example: We build a dam to keep the flood out. One day we discover a leak and rather than patch it we decide to make the hole bigger, and keep saying 'we meant it to work that way'.


That's my 5 cents worth. I like it, but I'm not married to it. There are certainly other ways, and now is your chance to present them. Lets start collecting ideas here on the blog. I will turn them into a list and then we can work together to present them to the county.

Burma Shave Sign Party

We will be creating the first of our series of Burma Shave-inspired signs to be placed along Cedar Avenue with traffic-calming themes on Sunday, October 18th between 2-4 pm at 4223 12th Avenue S.

If you would like to help create the signs, please stop by and lend a hand.

If you would like to donate materials for sign construction, here is the list of items we need:

plywood sheeting - our signs will be 2'x4', so scraps this big or larger that we can cut to size

9" paint roller brush

1 qt (?) green exterior paint (as close to the CAU color green as possible)

wooden stakes 3-4' in length

1-2 cans white spray paint

1-2 cans florescent (clear) spray paint

letter stencils - 6-8" in height

Materials donations can be dropped off at 4223 12th Ave before the event, or the day of - although we will need the plywood, green paint and roller brush by Sat Oct 17th so that they can be pre-painted. If you have materials to donate but cannot get them to us, email me at jle819@hotmail.com with what you wish to donate, and I can arrange to pick them up.

We also need volunteer yards; preferably 4 in a row. If you and your neighbors on Cedar would like to host these signs let us know!

We hope to see you on Sunday, Oct 18th!

Jeri Elsner

scary observation

This morning I was observing the traffic types and notices 2 big tanker trucks whoosh by. I looked up the green chemical warnings on the back and this is what I found:

Anhydrous Ammonia, which is absolutely terrifying to me. Check out the first aid descriptions:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/ammoniaspills/firstaid.htm

An accident involving one of these would warrant the evacuation of most of our area, something I doubt our crowded streets could handle. I remember hearing about residential evacuations (and they are spelled out on the website above) involving a semi crash... The houses were adjacent to the freeway, fairly far away compared to our city zoning. What would happen is this happened in our densely packed neighborhoods? At rush hour - when I observed the tankers - emergency response would likely be slow at best because of all the out-of-city commuting traffic... and an evacuation would be 'difficult' to say the least.

Anhydrous Ammonia is commonly used on farm fields all across the country. I can't see any reason why the trucks would be using Cedar, other than it provides a short cut from 35W, and coming into the city via Hwy 77 would make sense. This further supports our opinion that Cedar Ave needs serious attention in order to reduce it's 'short-cut appeal'. This may be an extreme example, but a valid one. I would imagine that the 2 trucks I saw were not the first, or the last to ever use Cedar.

I'm also sure this isn't the only chemical that gets shipped down this corridor. This one particularly scared me, especially when considering how fast the trucks were traveling. I KNOW that county roads are supposed to be open to all legal vehicles... but in a tight residential area there NEEDS to be some thought applied to this (if there hasn't been already). Are there safety considerations in place? Have they been updated as traffic counts increase (double, triple, etc) This seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has observed chemical tankers and/or hazardous material on Cedar. Please feel free to comment with your concern.

Updates all around!

This neglected blog needs an update, so here goes:

Good things keep happening! We had a great event back on Sept 19th. Thanks to all that attended the 42nd and Cedar cleanup AND the Linestriping BBQ. Special thanks to Lamont Cleveland for providing such fantastic BBQ (pulled pork and jerk chicken, 2 kinds!!).

We've been chugging away with our reporting at SeeClickFix. I'd like to remind folks that IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE ROAD, YOU CAN REPORT IT DIRECTLY TO MINNEAPOLIS THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. You can also find a portal to the CAU profile at our website: http://www.cedaraveunited.org/seeclickfix.html

Cedar Ave Pace car program is looming on the horizon. I will be giving updates on this at the meeting. I'd also like feedback and ideas as to how we can get this to spread into the surrounding neighborhoods. The notion of bumper stickers/static stickers has been brought up. THese could be available to private vehicles and possibly commercial vehicles.... we have made contact with one company that is willing to be a GIANT 18 WHEEL pace car for us; Freightmasters of Eagan. If you feel like sending them a thank-you e-mail, I'm sure they would love to hear it. Having a goliath pace car will be fantastic since it's tough to argue with something that size!

We've been kicking around the idea of creating road signs in the style of the old Burma Shave for a while. In our upcoming meeting we will be discussing this. We will need the following

• materials; wood, tools, paint, stencils etc
  
• rhymes (although we have MANY to work with currently)
• yard, we can't do this without participating yards, preferably next to each other
• crafty/artistic volunteers to help create the signs

We will also pick out some dates to work on this in the following month. Let's get these together before the snow flies! Even if we have to take them down in the winter, we will have them ready in the spring!! Won't they look great in those new Blvd gardens that we can all start next year??

So that's it for now. remember that there is an upcoming meeting on Wednesday, Oct 7th at 6:30. We'll be where we always are, at the Sibley Park Rec Center... here's a map: http://www.cedaraveunited.org/meetings.html

Thanks all, SEE YOU SOON!

Success!! x 1

Hello All,

At the last meeting I introduced a concept that has been going around the country, neighborhood pace cars. While I like the idea, it would be difficult to implement on Cedar because of the nature of our road. We are considered residential, but we have a number of businesses that rely on delivery services and shipments. So we have to think of ways to slow traffic without sacrificing our business' lifelines. We also have a million billion folks out there that would just as soon run a 'pace car' off the road rather then follow them (doesn't stop me though :)

Also, the pace car program only works if enough people sign up. So I though 'we need more pace cars'. Then I had another idea, 'we need BIGGER pace cars'.

Our businesses will ALWAYS need deliveries, and the shipping companies rely on our businesses for THEIR business... SO, I wrote a letter to one of the most noticed speeders and heaviest vehicles on Cedar Ave; Freightmasters. I have had many mornings in my garden spent shaking my fist at an 18 wheeler barreling down the road, spraying rocks and gravel... or waking up in the middle of the night to a jake brake shaking my walls, only to peer out the window and see the familiar red lettering on the white truck. I said that we are trying to improve our environment, we have had complaints about them. I explained that we could use thier help slowing traffic and that we could work together and everyone could win. I had my doubts. I didn't know if I would hear back... but I did, and right away.

This is what I got back:

Hi Will,

Thank you for introducing us to your community action group. It certainly sounds like a worthwhile effort.

We’ll get the word out to all of our driver employees to be particularly mindful of traffic laws when they need to move through your neighborhoods, and we’ll try to avoid unnecessary movements through that area.

Sincerely,

Tim Beltz

Tim, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I look forward to the big white trucks helping us calm our area. We know you are integral to the fabric of our area. By slowing down a bit you will lower your impact, and help us tame traffic in the process. And honestly, who's going to try to run a SEMI off the road! Bravo wonderful giant pace truck! Bravo! The next time you drive through our neighborhood (slowly) we will be waving and smiling... not that other thing we do.

I have started writing to other companies to see if they will also participate. We'll see how it goes, but I condsider this a tenetive success. Thanks Tim!

In the mean time, please consider becoming a pace car. As this idea progresses we may decide to make spiffy 'Cedar Ave United PACE CAR' bumper stickers! Any thoughts? Any specific companies that I should write too?

Thanks all!

Will

PARTY!! etc...

Dear Cedar Ave United members, friends, supporters and neighbors,

This upcoming Saturday, the 19th of September we will be holding our first public event, well, two of them actually… And you’re ALL invited:

12:00 Noon: 42^nd and Cedar Pickup and brush up. We will be pairing with Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association and the City of Minneapolis Great Streets program to help clean up this neglected intersection. We will be clearing away litter, pulling weeds and just spiffing it up in general. This is a public event, everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! SENA will be providing pick up materials and garbage disposal. Come out and show your support for our local businesses. Let’s do our best to Make it clean and keep it green!

Cedar Ave United t-shirts will be available for purchase, or you can show your support and solidarity by wearing something green!

4:00 pm: After the clean-up we will be migrating 3 blocks to the south to 4500 Cedar Ave where we will raise a toast to our newly painted parking lanes. We will be holding a pot luck picnic in my front yard! Our resident pit master will be treating us to his famous BBQ cooked over an open fire! Again, all are welcome. Just bring a dish to share, a donation for the BBQ supplies and your own beverage if you want more than water or soda.

This will be an informal affair and we hope that City and County officials will feel free to attend and enjoy the afternoon with us!

Both events are open to all! A quick RSVP to this e-mail address would be appreciated in order to plan for the BBQ.

So stop by, say hi, meet a few of your neighbors and enjoy the day, and our newly improved roadway!

Looks like it’s going to be a WONDERFUL day, hope to see you all there!

Will

4500 Cedar Ave.

cedartraffic@gmail.com

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!

Promising new tool, seeclickfix additional info

Hello CAU,

After reading local and national traffic planning blogs and news feeds for the better part of the year, we finally found an online tool that may be very useful for Cedar Ave United. The website www.seeclickfix.com recently got some national attention; read about it here if you like: http://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2009/03/seeclickfix-transportation-safety.html

Steve B. created a 'watch area' for Cedar Ave United; now we have a simple way to keep track of the complaints for Cedar Ave. And guess what, when you file a complaint about the street on the website, it appears to send it directly to 311, making this an easy way to go right up the food chain.

Our watchgroup is here: http://www.seeclickfix.com/watch_area/1076 if you sign up to 'follow' the CAU watch area you will receive an update whenever a complaint is logged within the area. Our watch area may help to add unity to our complaints in the future, at the very least it is currently helping us stay updated on where people are having concerns.

Here is a link directly to the map with concerns noted: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues?watcher_token=d162b5ac1981b2974de283a24c8ecf28c051ed5f

Please chime in and log your trouble spots, we really need your input. Also make sure to check out our website for updated meeting information and developing events! www.cedaraveunited.org

Thanks everyone in advance for their participation!

Will Peterson