Graham, Donna
Se
From: Carole Barker: (gt :
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2022 4:08 PM
To: Board of Aldermen
Subject: Ongoing use of concrete barriers
CAUTION: This email came from outside of the organization. Do not click links/open attachments if source is unknown.
1 am writing to voice my firm opposition to the city’s proposal to continue using concrete barriers in the downtown area.
While | felt that it was an appropriate and necessary short term solution at the beginning of the pandemic, when
restaurants in particular struggled with severe reductions in allowed seating in order to meet distance requirements
between patrons, we are almost two years from those circumstances. With vaccines/boosters, therapeutics and natural
immunity now greatly reducing the risk of severe disease to the overwhelming majority of the population, what was
urgently needed in those early is no longer as urgent a matter. Non-restaurant businesses have needs as well, and
making parking less convenient and/or available disadvantages them, as does a more congested downtown.
Furthermore, as more people have returned to in-person work and are returning to some measure of normalcy, traffic
downtown is increasing towards pre-pandemic norms. The ability for emergency vehicles to proceed quickly through
downtown is hampered by lane reductions, especially but not only during high traffic periods. Finally, concrete barriers
(with or without “artwork”) looks like a slapdash, last minute solution to an unanticipated problem. Two years ago,
that’s actually what it was, and we all accepted it given that a last-minute solution to an unanticipated problem was
needed. But to make it an ongoing “solution”? Ridiculous! It as made our normally lovely Main St area look like a
construction zone tagged with graffiti. | have heard from residents, former residents, and visitors on how the city looked
when they ventured downtown, and their responses were uniformly horrified and/or disgusted. Does the city propose
moving towards a more pedestrian-centric downtown? First, put it on the ballot and see if a majority of the citizens of
the city agree. If they do, come up with an aesthetically pleasing way to do so that incorporates traffic and safety needs.
If you don’t, you will be driving people away from frequenting downtown, and all of the businesses will suffer.
Sincerely,
Carole Barker
43 Raymond Street
Sent from my iPhone
