From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
To: talk@kick.fm
RE: Report on City Centre Community Committee meeting, Tuesday June 8th
The councillors in attendance were Harvey Smith, John Orlikow and Jenny Gerbasi, dealing with the Active Transportation proposed bike lane on Sherbrook from Ellice to Notre Dame.
There were several presenters against this bike lane including Belinda Squance from the Ellice Street Cafe as well as a representative from the West End Biz and an apartment owner on Sherbrook.
Also presenting were Mark Cohoe of Bike to the Future, Anders Swanson and Tim Hiebert who are in favour of this bike lane.
1) Belinda and Gloria (West End Biz) have requested more time to gather information regarding this bike lane. Both indicating that there has not been enough information for the residents and businesses in the area to have an informed opinion on this issue. Also stating that the consultation process has been somewhat lacking.
Though the West End Biz had been involved with putting up posters for the open houses, it was found that most people thought it was all about cycling and did not realize the impact it would have on their community. It wasn't until a second poster put out by the West End Biz was put up that the community realized what would happen to their neighbourhood.
Belinda said she spoke with community activist Nick Ternette who indicated he hadn't heard anything about this proposed lane or the effect it would have on the area residents and businesses.
Belinda asked if the city had done any bike counts or if there were numbers available of people from the Health Sciences Centre who had requested the bike lanes or number of people who would get out of their vehicles and onto a bike? Belinda further went on to say that even cyclists indicate that Winnipeg is a fairweather cycling city.
2) Time is being requested to look at other options and alternatives than to closing down the east side of Sherbrook, including perhaps using Furby or Langside as a possible route for the remaining two blocks to Cumberland. Another option being proposed is to use the east side as a bike lane during peak times instead of all day. More dialogue is being requested with the businesses of whom 25 would be affected by this change on Sherbrook, as well as with residents who were unaware of the impact this lane would have on their community.
3) Belinda stated that the Ellice Street Cafe doesn't stay open from just the community alone, but needs the people driving into the area from other parts of the city to fill up the Cafe. Belinda said "they come to the restaurant, go across the street to get their hair cut". So they are spending money in the area.
4) Belinda quoted from a radio broadcast an interview by Marty Gold on The Great Canadian Talk Show with Kevin Nixon the Active Transportation Coordinator for the City of Winnipeg. The interview aired on Feb. 1. The quote was Kevin Nixon saying he "wouldn't do anything in any councillors ward they weren't comfortable with".
Councillor Harvey Smith requested a repeat of the quote.
5) Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner from the West End Biz is also requesting time to study this issue and the impact it will have on the community. Gloria did say that they (West End Biz) was not against a bike path nor against cyclists even planning to put in bike parking for the cyclists, but is asking to work with the bike groups to find a compromise.
6) Regarding parking, Gloria indicated that their own Biz patrol people can testify to the fact that parking on Sherbrook is full at any given time. Saying "if you remove one lane, where are the rest to go?" Gloria also indicated that other streets often have full volume now and wondered if it was really fair to the businesses and residents?
One option being presented is a rush hour commuter route for bikes, the rest of the day parking would be allowed. Or perhaps re-route commuter routes to quieter streets. Gloria indicated that when speaking with many cyclists, the cyclists wouldn't mind a quieter street as well. The West End Biz would like to work together to find something that works for the community, businesses, residents and cyclists.
Councillor Orlikow asked about the surface lots in the area, perhaps restaurants in the area who aren't open during the day, could look at using them. Gloria responded that the students attending the University of Winnipeg park on residential streets even with the restrictions and there isn't enough space for shared parking. Gloria further went on to say that the area is growing and more parking is going to be needed.
7) Another presenter, Leon Mueher who owns a 37 suite apartment building on Sherbrook stated that they "are the only apartment block that has any substantial parking". While this apartment building is not directly impacted, does impact other rental units in the area. Mr. Meuher informed the committee that there are 250 units in the area between Ellice and Sargent and that less than 15% of them have parking. That this area is one of the most densely populated areas. In the time Mueher has been on Sherbrook he had five cars in the lot, eight years later he has twenty. Mueher said "the neighbourhood is changing and already there is no parking" and that "don't take parking away from people".
8) Mark Cohoe of Bike to the Future bike lobby group (it is noted that Bike to the Future is well represented on the Active Transportation Advisory Committee) was a presenter in favour of the bike lane on Sherbrook. Cohoe did say that they want to "convince people to get out of their cars and onto a bike". One of the reasons why Bike to the Future is in favour of this lane is because it connects to other Active Transportation routes such as Alexander linking both Red River campuses, connecting to Bannatyne, McDermot as well as other routes leading out to St. James. Also connecting with the industial sections of Erin and Wall which according to Mark Cohoe bring lots of job opportunities.
Cohoe indicated that cyclists need to feel safe and comfortable on a bike route to use it as well as keeping the riders off the sidewalks. Also creating a route that is direct is important, to achieve this an exclusive space for cyclists where the riders are safe and that there are controlled crossings at intersections. Cohoe indicated that the budget for this project is $228 000.00, there is not enough money to add additional traffic devices if the project is moved to another location. Cohoe indicated that bike routes need to be direct in distance and time and that cyclists "can't be stopping, starting, stopping, starting, stopping and starting" meaning along these routes which does not allow for directness of travel.
9) Mark Cohoe provided traffic counts for a variety of locations regarding Sherbrook, though he did not indicate from where he received these counts. The counts are:
At Broadway and Sherbrook: 22 500
Sherbrook and Portage: 53 500
Sherbrook and Ellice: 18 800
Sargent west of Maryland: 17 700
Sargent east of Sherbrook: 12 300
Cumberland and Sherbrook: 15 000
Notre Dame and Sherbrook: 41 400
Notre Dame west of Maryland: 31 300
(please note I will discover other traffic numbers by the end of the report)
10) Cohoe did say that "parking is probably a significant issue", that there may be an ability for shared parking as there are lots of surface parking lots and perhaps an option of sharing nightime and daytime parking. Regarding the issue of loading zones in the bike lane Cohoe indicated one option is to restrict the hours for off loading which could be a short term solution and that a more long term solution may be pushing the loading zone into the boulevard which would only take out one immature tree.
11) Cohoe then contradicted himself, saying he didn't "feel there is much of a parking issue" and that "parking is available on side streets". Cohoe offered this option of perhaps having a cut through walkway from the side streets to Sherbrook. Cohoe said that "we put a priority on free parking in this city, there is not such thing as free parking whether it's in front of your house or parking in front of your business. It's paid for, there's a cost. Everybody ends up paying for parking whether they are using it or not". One alternative parking options Mark Cohoe put forth was shared parking. Cohoe indicated that many apartments tend to be empty during the day and that perhaps the spots could be shared.
12) Cohoe indicated that this bike lane would give an opportunity for people in other parts of the city to come into the Sherbrook area. Visiting the West End Cultural Centre, Ellice Cafe and safeway. Cohoe indicated that people would come into the community and spend money in the shops of the area. That making the bike lanes comfortable for people will give them the opportunity to live car free. Which will bring more money into the community as that income won't be spent on gas for their cars.
13) Councillor Harvey Smith asked "you talk about not having enough resources, there are other projects throughout the city, could savings from other projects be used?" Cohoe replied "there are 37 projects so there isn't flexibility to move from one project to another project".
14) Councillor Gerbasi suggested the idea during peak times the lane becomes a commuter lane. Cohoe indicated he'd had no chance to look at that option, that he has no numbers available and that Sherbrook is still an important commuter route for HSC.
15) Another presenter was Anders Swanson who is a member of Bike to the Future, the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, the Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee and is with One Green City. Swanson was presenting on behalf of One Green City stating that this organization is a "volunteer project helps support any and all community organizations that agrees with the mandate which is to create a network of safe direct cycling routes throughout the city as soon as possible".
Swanson indicated that in 2008 it was pinpointed as to what kind of cycling infrastructure was needed in the West End area by the people in that area. Swanson did say he "feels strongly" that the network on Sherbrook should proceed and that it doesn't make any sense to move the planned bike path. One reason why moving the path would be a mistake is because of budgetary reasons.
16) Swanson stated that "in principle every road in Winnipeg is an Active Transportation route" Swanson wants people to very aware of that. According to Swanson, the idea is to make sure the cyclists can travel from place to place safely. The reasons for people travelling via bicycle even if they don't feel safe on the road, according to Swanson are for economic reasons, health reasons and ethical reasons. Swanson brought up the plight of the Polar Bears which have been inthe news recently and that the bears would be gone in 30 years. Swanson went on to say that the "simplest thing to do what we can to get people on bikes cause it's fun, it has benefits for the entire city including people who drive". Swanson said "certain compromises need to be made in order to implement cycling infrastructure".
Swanson also indicated that for the last 50 years infrastructure has been designed exclusively for cars and that it is "prohibitive" for people who want to travel under their own power. Swanson went on to indicate that only 25% of the road budget is used to maintain the road, 75% is used to build new roads, because of parking and transit corridors don't have a bicycle oriented culture.
17) Swanson did say that "any perceived or real threat to ones livelihood is to be taken seriously". Swanson did say he appreciated Belinda and Gloria are important to the community. That the West End has the highest load share in cycling and walking in the city and that there are job opportunities, theatre and commercial possibilities and that people can very easily not own a car which would save 17% of their income.
18) Swanson admitted that while about 50% of polls are inaccurate, he quoted one poll that said "70% of people in Canada are willing to cycle to work on dedicated cycling infrastructure that takes less than 30 minutes", this poll was done in 1998. Swanson also pointed out the cycling culture in such places as Copenhagen, Scandanavia, France and Germany and that you can "ask people whether they want to arrive at work with nice tight buns". Swanson also indicated that you can "arrive at work with a non-guilty conscience and can do it in a bike lane with a big smile on your face".
19) Regarding moving the bike lane to Furby, Swanson indicated that he uses this street a lot and understand why it is being presented as a possible option to Sherbrook, however according to Swanson, the cost could be $250 000.00 at every major intersection to get people through safely.
20) Swanson concluded his presentation by saying "certain compromises need to be made" and that he looks "forward to a solution coming forward that is local and that is cognizant of the fact we have to get people on bikes, have to get people on buses. This is very important to the West End". However, Swanson did indicate that it wouldn't be a good idea to motion to remove this section of the bike lane from Sherbrook, citing the loss of funding from the Federal Stimulus Package, saying it would "make a big jump forward as a city, that it's right to approve".
21) Katherine Thompson-Wieser was the next presenter who was also in favour of the bike lane on Sherbrook. Wieser who works at the Health Sciences Centre WRHA Capital Planning is an avid cyclist who is looking to dispose of her vehicle. However, Wieser indicates that she is not confident enough with the safety of the bike lanes to do so and would like to see the bike lane on Sherbrook and Maryland. Wieser indicates that she would like to cycle to Misericordia Hospital for meetings there, but doesn't feel safe on Sherbrook to do so. Wieser also indicated that she isn't "keen" on the idea of having to go around another two blocks and would prefer a more direct route.
22) Tim Hiebert also a presenter in favour of the bike lanes indicated that he has gotten rid of his vehicle and that he volunteers in the community at a co-op bike repair shop. Again, was very much in favour of the bike lane on Sherbrook.
23) Kevin Nixon the Active Transportation Coordinator for the City of Winnipeg was the next and final presenter.
Nixon briefly told the committee that the city made calls for direction changes in the last 10 years with Plan Winnipeg and Speak Up Winnipeg. Included was an Active Transportation study, increasing the load share of AT the goal being to increase the cycling and pedestrian population. Nixon did indicate that they were not trying to "replace the automobile", but instead wanted to give people the option if they want to use Active Transportation. Nixon indicated they had been working on this for the last three years.
Kevin Nixon stated that it "started with a comprehensive public consultation with people who were interested in cycling, trails, anyone else who would listen".
Nixon further went on to say that it had been "difficult to get the average person to pay attention".
24) Regarding Sherbrook/Maryland, Nixon told the committee that it was a key part of the network and that though they (AT) hadn't done a lot of actual bicycle counts, Bike to the Future has done a number of them. Nixon also pointed out the OTTO cycle program which put GPS units on cyclists which gave them an idea as to where the cyclists were going.
Nixon brought out a map that showed a variety of routes that had been covered by the OTTO cycle programs, showing Sherbrook/Maryland to have been a very busy route. The committee was told consultants agreed with the analysis of the bike activists and came to the same conclusion that IT HAD TO BE SHERBROOK/MARYLAND. Nixon indicated that Furby and Langside were not good candidates because of the traffic on the cross streets was too heavy.
25) Nixon further went on to say that "Sherbrook/Maryland is a key cog in the network". An analysis of Ellice determined this street was not a good candidate. Some of the reasons being parking issues as well as narrow streets and heavy traffic flow. This forced St. Matthews to be the next street in the network as it connected with Maryland which was needed to connect to the rest of the network throughout the city. The advisory committee is also looking at proposing a winter cycling network which would include Sherbrook/Maryland, Nixon stated indicated that it was shown to be needed.
26) Nixon told the committee that they had "done alot of public consultation on these projects, the amount of consultation is extensive, way beyond what any developer is forced to do". Nixon went on to say "it is in the same league as the Disraeli Bridge Project, those projects are $160 million, ours is $228 000.00, we're doing similar amounts of public consultation".
Nixon also said "obviously we don't have it done right yet".
Nixon indicated that he was encouraged by the compromises, but he "doesn't think there's any question it has to be these streets".
27) Councillor Gerbasi asked "what is the compromise you can support?" Nixon replied that a number of issues had been mentioned that he thought were "interesting".
28) Councillor Smith asked "why don't you like Furby or Langside, why those are ruled out?" Nixon's response was about the heavy traffic that would have to be crossed, such as at Portage, Ellice and Sargent. Because crossings aren't at those streets and it would create a problem with traffic flow to add additional lights or pedestrian corridors so close to Sherbrook, would disrupt the system.
29) Councillor Smith asked about compromises that Kevin could come up with, Nixon responded that he was interested in a couple, such as a bike lane for part of the day which according to Nixon could be done. Another option would be to allow loading zone parking in the bike lane or to have the loading zone into the curb, though Nixon indicated it would have to be looked at as they "wouldn't want to mess with the trees".
29) At this point time was short and the committee meeting had to come to a halt. It was decided that a decision would not be made this day but instead would pass over to another committee meeting. Brad Sacher the Director of Public Works attended this meeting, but was unable to present due to lack of time.
I spoke briefly with Councillor Smith on Wednesday June 9th, he indicated that time was being given to look at some of the compromises and that on June 29th at a Public Works meeting more would be discussed, potentially looking at removing this section from the Active Transportation network.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kim's Thoughts:
I have many thoughts on this issue, some of which include parking. It was mentioned that there was plenty of parking available on the side streets..no there's not.
-- Even when the University of Winnipeg is not in session parking is still at a premium.
When the students return in the fall, parking becomes even worse well at least until they learn to move their cars. By forcing the residents and visitors on Sherbrook to park on these streets it's only going exacerbate an already over-crowded situation.
-- As for shared parking with apartment buildings in the area so most of the buildings are empty during the day..ok well unless for some reason you aren't out that day or are sick then what happens? Can't ticket the people in their paid for parking spot..you know the spot you pay in your rent? Where does the other vehicle park? Can't ticket them as private parking falls under an entirely different set of by-laws and the parking authority can't walk in to tag unless requested by the management of the building to do so. I see problems there.
-- I would really like to know where Mark Cohoe received his figures. The ones I came across don't quite match his. I looked at the 2008 average weekday daily traffic counts on regional streets, this is what I found:
Broadway at Sherbrook: 20 600 (between the Maryland bridge and Wolsely) the count is 22 000.
Headed down Broadway at Sherbrook the count is 19 900 (westbound)
Traffic going down Portage at Sherbrook is 50 200 (westbound)
Sherbrook at Ellice through to Sargent: 19 100
Sherbrook Sargent to Cumberland: 17 400
Westbound Sargent at Maryland: 16 900
Sherbrook north of Notre Dame: 16 400
Westbound Ellice at Sherbrook: 18 400
Westbound Sargent at Sherbrook: 12 800
Notre Dame at Sherbrook: 31 300
Westbound Notre Dame at Maryland: 41 400
Seems not all our numbers match and I found these numbers on a city webpage.
Yup let's lose a whole lane of parking for a few hundred cyclists versus a couple of thousand vehicles.
-- Mark Cohoe and Anders Swanson were quite clear on wanting everybody to get rid of their cars. Oh goody. I wonder if Mark and Anders have ever played hockey? I ask this because if they had kids who played and had to schlepp all that equipment on a bike, well I really wonder what they'd say then about getting rid of a car.
Really to tell people to get rid of their cars is rude as well as impractical. Ok bring up Cophenhagen or other places in Europe. First most people in Europe wouldn't travel 500 kilometers in a snow storm to see a hockey game..but we do. Am I going to do that on a bike..yeah that could happen. And when I see a sky blue pink with purple polkadot pig fly by my window then I'd change my tune. Not likely to happen. Oh wait secondly if I want to go to the beach I'd have to leave a couple of days early because well. .it's a big country with lots of long distances to travel. Will I do it by Greyhound Bus? NO!..Wait go back to the flying pig thing again.
-- Not everybody likes to cycle, not everybody can cycle. If we all got rid of our cars, who is going to take granny to the doctor? On a bike? Ok so all this is a little out there, but you get my point.
It's simply not going to happen and the bike lobbyists are just going to have to live with it.
Cars are here to stay, that's not going to change no matter how much they try to force the issue.
-- Personally I think it's selfish and greedy of the bike lobbyists to demand an entire neighbourhood should cave to their whims.
Close a business or two, ok, more people out of work. Like there isn't a recession now. Squeeze the folks parking on Furby and inconvenience hundreds on Sherbrook. Spend millions of tax dollars only the way they say. Good plan.
Well those are a few of my issues..have lots more but only so much room. Marty I'm quite sure you will raise plenty of issues. Guess we will have to wait and see what kind of compromises these groups can come up with and if the neighbourhood can live with them or will there be all-out rebellion?
Stay tuned for the answer, I know I will.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Exclusive: Our Winnipeg Open House = EMPTY HOUSE
Photo of the second round table on Friday morning: once again, zero attendance.
The city of Winnipeg drove the final nail in the coffin of "public consultation" today, when the inaugural "Round Table" feedback session for the vaunted 25 year development plan Our Winnipeg drew ZERO humans to Red River College on Princess.
When local publisher Bob Axford and I walked into the room today to cover the event, all the attendees were dressed as empty chairs. Not a soul had crossed the threshhold, save for 2 city planners involved with the SpeakUp Winnipeg project.
Neither of them could answer basic questions, such as:
* Who is responsible for scheduling the meeting with less than 24 hours notice to the public?
* Why are the Round Tables all scheduled within the next 6 days, and only during working hours so that people with real jobs can't be heard?
* Why did 311 not have any information about the Round Table or Information Open House session tonight at RRC, beyond that the city had rented the hall?
Today's session was intended to discuss "Creativity", or the role of the Arts, in the future of the city.
Maybe the city could have started by finding some creative way to turn bureaucratese into comprehensible English rather than planner bafflegab and airy-fairy fuzzy feel-good buzzwords.
This should have been the most well-attended round table, given the central location within a 5 minute minute walk of the creative/artists class that populate the adjacent Exchange and South Point Douglas enclaves.
Instead, we have seen the true agenda of the administration laid bare.
They do not want feedback from the taxpaying working class; the phony "consultation" process, perfected with the Disraeli Bridge and Bike Lane shams, is a tool wielded by unaccountable bureaucrats to give cover to councillors and the Mayor, who can say it is not their fault when no one shows up.
In fact, it IS their fault. THEY are responsible for the City holding a series of important meetings about the future of our city at the onset of summer, and expecting residents to choose on short notice (if they even found out about the meetings at all) to drop everything to be able to have their say.
RELATED POSTS:
http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/24459/our-winnipeg-public-consultations-empty-room-photos/
http://progressivewinnipeg.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-winnipeg-draught-dripdripsomethings.html
More from Graham Hnatiuk :
“Some of the staff were arrogant, condescending, unknowledgeable, treated people with legitimate questions or concerns with dismay or GUFFAW. Yes, I just made the word GUFFAW into a verb… Our Winnipeg? No. Not yet anyway. It’s Our Winnipeg’s Winnipeg.
Time to burst that bubble you guys are living in. You guys have to be able to answer these questions. They are legit. To deny or refuse to answer questions like the ones I’ve raised is not acceptable. Some of you guys would be awful poker players.”
Next week: Councillor Harvey Smith; all about Scouting; and more Parking Authority bullying of city businesses and parkers.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
"Award winning" Winnipeg Parking Authority creates HSC "ghost town"
First, we look to the Downtown Biz website, in a posting entitled
"The Winnipeg Parking Authority Staff Recognized by International Institute/Winnipeg’s Parking Authority has been recognized by the International Parking Institute with several major awards."
Earlier this year, the WPA was identified by Manitoba Business Magazine as one of the Province’s Top 75 Companies. David Hill also received a Mayor’s Business Improvement award for his work with the Downtown BIZ.
"Our Board was unanimous", said Stefano Grande, Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ, "our city parking environment is vastly better than it was years ago, it’s great for business, and we appreciate the the City’s leadership in getting us there"... "It’s good to see these people striving for excellence".
For businesses and residents outside of the Downtown Biz catchment area, they might interpret that definition of "excellence" as meaning :
"it's good as long as the other areas of downtown are the ones getting screwed over and not our members".
Today at 4 PM, we''ll have news of MORE bullying of the Exchange District by the Parking Authority.
In this post, we look westward towards the West Alexander neighborhood, where the civic agenda is set by the perceived needs of the Health Sciences Centre, on run-down and impoverished residential streets where parking costs TWICE the normal rate- $2.00 an hour.
---------------
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
To: talk@kick.fm
Hi Marty
I went for one of my little strolls through the HSC area on Friday Apr. 9 and Sat. Apr. 10.
I can tell you with no word of a lie that my jaw dropped. I have never ever seen a ghost town around HSC. But that's what it has turned into at this point.
If it is the goal of the Parking Authority to remove on-street parking in that area, then they are well on their way to achieving that goal. Even the residents aren't parking on their streets.
Definitions:
C= cars
P = permits
R = receipt
N = no receipt/Verrus payment
Res = residential permit
H = handicap
T= ticket/tag
April 9 Start 1:25/finish 3:30 April 10 Start 1:07/finish 2:40
Winnipeg Ave - Tecumseh to Arlington:
c: 11 c: 11
p: 10 p: 9
res: 1 n: 2
McDermot - Tecumseh to Arlington
c: 4 c: 5
p: 4 p: 4
n: 1
Bannatyne - Tecumseh to Arlington
c: 14 c: 10
p: 6 p: 3
r: 6 Res: 1
n: 1 n: 5
t: 1 t: 1 (warning)
Tecumseh - William to Bannatyne
c: 5 c: 2
p: 1 p: 1
r: 4 t: 1 (monetary)
no further vehicles on Tecumseh
Tecumseh - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4
r: 3
h: 1
no vehicles past this point.
Bannatyne - Dead End to Tecumseh
c: 20 c: 2
r: 13 r: 2
h: 6 - 2 with receipts
t: 1 (warning)
William - Arlington to Tecumseh (south side)
c: 1 c: 1
h: 1 r: 1
William - Tecumseh to Arlington (north side)
c: 2 c: 2
r: 2 r: 1 (expired)
n: 1
William - Tecumseh to Sherbrook (south side)
c: 22 c: 15
r: 19 r: 9
h: 3 - all with receipts n: 3
h: 3 - 2 no receipt
William - Sherbrook to Tecumseh (north side)
c: 19 c: 21
r: 17 r: 18
h: 2 - 1 no receipt (AB permit) n: 1
h: 2 no receipts
t: 1 -no park not in car count
McDermot - Sherbrook to Tecumseh
c: 28 c: 14
r: 20 r: 6
h: 3 no receipts (outside CancerCare) h: 3 - 2 no receipt
n: 3 n: 3
t: 2 t: 1
Olivia - McDermot to Dead End
c: 7 c: 1
r: 7 r: 1
Notre Dame - Pearl to Emily (north side)
c: 3 c: 2
r: 2 r: 2
n: 1 no further vehicles past this point
no further vehicles past this point
Notre Dame - Victor to McGee (south side)
c: 4 c: 3
r: 4 r: 3
Pearl - McDermot to Notre Dame
c: 8 c: 8
r: 7 r: 6
h: 1 with receipt n: 1
t: 1 (warning)
1 tag in loading zone not in car count
McDermot - Sherbrook to Furby
c: 5 c: 3
r: 3 p: 1
h: 2 r: 2
McDermot - Furby to Kate
c: 12 c: 1
r: 6 r: 1
n: 6
Note: 5 of the vehicles were waiting to pick up kids from the school
Kate - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4 c: 1
m: 4 special permit m: 1 special permit Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald House House
Kate - William to Bannatyne
0 vehicles c: 1
p: 1
Bannatyne - Kate to Lydia
0 vehicles c: 1
n: 1
Lydia - William to Bannatyne
0 vehicles c: 1
h: 1 no receipt
Bannatyne - Lydia to Furby
c: 8 c: 2
m: 1 r: 2
r: 5
n: 1
h: 1 no receipt
Bannatyne - Furby to Sherbrook
c: 8 c: 8
p: 1 r: 5
r: 5 n: 1
h: 2 - one with receipt t: 2 (one warning, one monetary)
Furby - William to Bannatyne
c: 5 c: 4
p: 1 p: 2
r: 3 r: 1
h: 1 - no receipt n: 1
no further vehicles past Bannatyne
Furby - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4
r: 3
h: 1 with receipt
Furby - McDermot to Notre Dame
c: 4
r: 4
A couple of troublesome areas:
* Furby from Bannatyne to McDermot is split by a backlane that leads to Sherbrook. There is no paystation on the North side of that backlane.
* On Tecumseh between Bannatyne and McDermot there is a backlane on the south side of that lane there is no paystation. If you were to speak to Judge Sundstrom he would tell you that a backlane constitutes a natural break in the road which means, the Parking Authority needs a paystation there. However, why throw good money after bad. Those stations are not making any money.
* William, Tecumseh, Winnipeg, Bannatyne, McDermot and McDermot from Sherbrook to Tecumseh used to be filled with cars. Now there is plenty of parking. The mobile crews used to handle most of those streets, would chalk them and would pick up a fair amount if they only did it once every few weeks. But now? Not so much.
* On Friday Apr. 9 I noted 5 no parking violations and 4 no stopping violations.
On Saturday Apr. 10 I noted 3 no parking, one no stop and 1 to close to a crosswalk violations. On neither of those days did I see an enforcement officer. I also saw minimal tickets.
For the Saturday tickets, mobile crews simply don't have time to handle meters. They have a huge area to play with not to mention checking all the parking lots and selective enforcements. No time. And why were some of the meter tickets warnings and others not?
But that's what I found.
PS - subsequent to this survey, Kim sent us this:
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
Subject: Re: something I found on my morning walk
To: talk@kick.fm
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 11:09 AM
"The Winnipeg Parking Authority Staff Recognized by International Institute/Winnipeg’s Parking Authority has been recognized by the International Parking Institute with several major awards."
Earlier this year, the WPA was identified by Manitoba Business Magazine as one of the Province’s Top 75 Companies. David Hill also received a Mayor’s Business Improvement award for his work with the Downtown BIZ.
"Our Board was unanimous", said Stefano Grande, Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ, "our city parking environment is vastly better than it was years ago, it’s great for business, and we appreciate the the City’s leadership in getting us there"... "It’s good to see these people striving for excellence".
For businesses and residents outside of the Downtown Biz catchment area, they might interpret that definition of "excellence" as meaning :
"it's good as long as the other areas of downtown are the ones getting screwed over and not our members".
Today at 4 PM, we''ll have news of MORE bullying of the Exchange District by the Parking Authority.
In this post, we look westward towards the West Alexander neighborhood, where the civic agenda is set by the perceived needs of the Health Sciences Centre, on run-down and impoverished residential streets where parking costs TWICE the normal rate- $2.00 an hour.
---------------
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
To: talk@kick.fm
Hi Marty
I went for one of my little strolls through the HSC area on Friday Apr. 9 and Sat. Apr. 10.
I can tell you with no word of a lie that my jaw dropped. I have never ever seen a ghost town around HSC. But that's what it has turned into at this point.
If it is the goal of the Parking Authority to remove on-street parking in that area, then they are well on their way to achieving that goal. Even the residents aren't parking on their streets.
Definitions:
C= cars
P = permits
R = receipt
N = no receipt/Verrus payment
Res = residential permit
H = handicap
T= ticket/tag
April 9 Start 1:25/finish 3:30 April 10 Start 1:07/finish 2:40
Winnipeg Ave - Tecumseh to Arlington:
c: 11 c: 11
p: 10 p: 9
res: 1 n: 2
McDermot - Tecumseh to Arlington
c: 4 c: 5
p: 4 p: 4
n: 1
Bannatyne - Tecumseh to Arlington
c: 14 c: 10
p: 6 p: 3
r: 6 Res: 1
n: 1 n: 5
t: 1 t: 1 (warning)
Tecumseh - William to Bannatyne
c: 5 c: 2
p: 1 p: 1
r: 4 t: 1 (monetary)
no further vehicles on Tecumseh
Tecumseh - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4
r: 3
h: 1
no vehicles past this point.
Bannatyne - Dead End to Tecumseh
c: 20 c: 2
r: 13 r: 2
h: 6 - 2 with receipts
t: 1 (warning)
William - Arlington to Tecumseh (south side)
c: 1 c: 1
h: 1 r: 1
William - Tecumseh to Arlington (north side)
c: 2 c: 2
r: 2 r: 1 (expired)
n: 1
William - Tecumseh to Sherbrook (south side)
c: 22 c: 15
r: 19 r: 9
h: 3 - all with receipts n: 3
h: 3 - 2 no receipt
William - Sherbrook to Tecumseh (north side)
c: 19 c: 21
r: 17 r: 18
h: 2 - 1 no receipt (AB permit) n: 1
h: 2 no receipts
t: 1 -no park not in car count
McDermot - Sherbrook to Tecumseh
c: 28 c: 14
r: 20 r: 6
h: 3 no receipts (outside CancerCare) h: 3 - 2 no receipt
n: 3 n: 3
t: 2 t: 1
Olivia - McDermot to Dead End
c: 7 c: 1
r: 7 r: 1
Notre Dame - Pearl to Emily (north side)
c: 3 c: 2
r: 2 r: 2
n: 1 no further vehicles past this point
no further vehicles past this point
Notre Dame - Victor to McGee (south side)
c: 4 c: 3
r: 4 r: 3
Pearl - McDermot to Notre Dame
c: 8 c: 8
r: 7 r: 6
h: 1 with receipt n: 1
t: 1 (warning)
1 tag in loading zone not in car count
McDermot - Sherbrook to Furby
c: 5 c: 3
r: 3 p: 1
h: 2 r: 2
McDermot - Furby to Kate
c: 12 c: 1
r: 6 r: 1
n: 6
Note: 5 of the vehicles were waiting to pick up kids from the school
Kate - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4 c: 1
m: 4 special permit m: 1 special permit Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald House House
Kate - William to Bannatyne
0 vehicles c: 1
p: 1
Bannatyne - Kate to Lydia
0 vehicles c: 1
n: 1
Lydia - William to Bannatyne
0 vehicles c: 1
h: 1 no receipt
Bannatyne - Lydia to Furby
c: 8 c: 2
m: 1 r: 2
r: 5
n: 1
h: 1 no receipt
Bannatyne - Furby to Sherbrook
c: 8 c: 8
p: 1 r: 5
r: 5 n: 1
h: 2 - one with receipt t: 2 (one warning, one monetary)
Furby - William to Bannatyne
c: 5 c: 4
p: 1 p: 2
r: 3 r: 1
h: 1 - no receipt n: 1
no further vehicles past Bannatyne
Furby - Bannatyne to McDermot
c: 4
r: 3
h: 1 with receipt
Furby - McDermot to Notre Dame
c: 4
r: 4
A couple of troublesome areas:
* Furby from Bannatyne to McDermot is split by a backlane that leads to Sherbrook. There is no paystation on the North side of that backlane.
* On Tecumseh between Bannatyne and McDermot there is a backlane on the south side of that lane there is no paystation. If you were to speak to Judge Sundstrom he would tell you that a backlane constitutes a natural break in the road which means, the Parking Authority needs a paystation there. However, why throw good money after bad. Those stations are not making any money.
* William, Tecumseh, Winnipeg, Bannatyne, McDermot and McDermot from Sherbrook to Tecumseh used to be filled with cars. Now there is plenty of parking. The mobile crews used to handle most of those streets, would chalk them and would pick up a fair amount if they only did it once every few weeks. But now? Not so much.
* On Friday Apr. 9 I noted 5 no parking violations and 4 no stopping violations.
On Saturday Apr. 10 I noted 3 no parking, one no stop and 1 to close to a crosswalk violations. On neither of those days did I see an enforcement officer. I also saw minimal tickets.
For the Saturday tickets, mobile crews simply don't have time to handle meters. They have a huge area to play with not to mention checking all the parking lots and selective enforcements. No time. And why were some of the meter tickets warnings and others not?
But that's what I found.
PS - subsequent to this survey, Kim sent us this:
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
Subject: Re: something I found on my morning walk
To: talk@kick.fm
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 11:09 AM
Good Morning Marty
While I was on my morning walk I noted that
- The paystation by the Women's Pavillion (p/s 3286) has been repaired.
- The paystation on Lydia just north of Notre Dame (beside Frank Motors) HAS BEEN REMOVED.
- Yet, one block further away from HSC, on Kate, the pay to park system continues.
But I also found something interesting. On the North side of Notre Dame by Rebel Waltz Tattoo (873 Notre Dame) there are some signs that don't match. That area is a 1 hour time limited zone from 9-1530 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west. Above those signs are the rush hour signs morning/afternoon again with arrows going east/west (No stopping 0700-0900 and 1530-1730 mon-fri).
Between 873 and 875 Notre Dame is a driveway that leads to a small parking lot as well as heading onto a backlane, but it's not a natural break in the roadway. The sign next to 875 reads:
No Parking 0700-0900 and 1530-1730 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west.
Fifty feet to the west, the next sign reads parking 1 hour 0900-1730 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west. (ed. note- in other words, the sign says it is OK to park until 5.30PM, or during rush hour)
The next sign with an arrow pointing east is another no stopping rush hour zone. The west pointing sign is a regular no stopping sign for the bus stop by 7 eleven.
I think last year when the Parking Authority wanted to put paystations in that area, but Harvey Smith stopped that from happening and the signs were eventually changed public works goofed up when replacing the signage.
Is it enforceable? That's a good question and one I'm not sure I can answer. If I were working the area I would be hesitant about tagging for the rush hour. Most of the officers if they notice it would radio a supervisor who MAY say go ahead and tag and tow for the rush hour zone and let a judge sort it out. The time limit zone is DEFINITELY NOT TAGGABELE as the signs don't match.
If someone did get tagged and towed for rush hour, not sure a judge would uphold the signage. Now public works put up the signs, but the p.a. enforces them. I don't know if they've told public works about the mix-up and I'm not sure how if any have been tagged in that area, it's not often people park there during rush hour, though from time to time it does happen.
Thanks Marty.
*******************
TGCTS GETS RESULTS:
via text May 25:
I've reported the problem to Dave Hill for prompt attention.
Coun. Jeff Browaty
While I was on my morning walk I noted that
- The paystation by the Women's Pavillion (p/s 3286) has been repaired.
- The paystation on Lydia just north of Notre Dame (beside Frank Motors) HAS BEEN REMOVED.
- Yet, one block further away from HSC, on Kate, the pay to park system continues.
But I also found something interesting. On the North side of Notre Dame by Rebel Waltz Tattoo (873 Notre Dame) there are some signs that don't match. That area is a 1 hour time limited zone from 9-1530 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west. Above those signs are the rush hour signs morning/afternoon again with arrows going east/west (No stopping 0700-0900 and 1530-1730 mon-fri).
Between 873 and 875 Notre Dame is a driveway that leads to a small parking lot as well as heading onto a backlane, but it's not a natural break in the roadway. The sign next to 875 reads:
No Parking 0700-0900 and 1530-1730 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west.
Fifty feet to the west, the next sign reads parking 1 hour 0900-1730 mon-fri with arrows pointing east/west. (ed. note- in other words, the sign says it is OK to park until 5.30PM, or during rush hour)
The next sign with an arrow pointing east is another no stopping rush hour zone. The west pointing sign is a regular no stopping sign for the bus stop by 7 eleven.
I think last year when the Parking Authority wanted to put paystations in that area, but Harvey Smith stopped that from happening and the signs were eventually changed public works goofed up when replacing the signage.
Is it enforceable? That's a good question and one I'm not sure I can answer. If I were working the area I would be hesitant about tagging for the rush hour. Most of the officers if they notice it would radio a supervisor who MAY say go ahead and tag and tow for the rush hour zone and let a judge sort it out. The time limit zone is DEFINITELY NOT TAGGABELE as the signs don't match.
If someone did get tagged and towed for rush hour, not sure a judge would uphold the signage. Now public works put up the signs, but the p.a. enforces them. I don't know if they've told public works about the mix-up and I'm not sure how if any have been tagged in that area, it's not often people park there during rush hour, though from time to time it does happen.
Thanks Marty.
*******************
TGCTS GETS RESULTS:
via text May 25:
I've reported the problem to Dave Hill for prompt attention.
Coun. Jeff Browaty
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Jets saga, WRHA secrecy, battle against Sherbrook bike lanes, Holiday Blog reading
A hodge-podge of thoughts and comments:
Isn't It Fun watching the mainstream media play catch-up...
For weeks on the Great Canadian Talk Show, Scott Taylor and I have been talking about the three groups or individuals involved in the alleged purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes: Chicago’s Jerry Reinsdorf (who is too smart to buy that dog and leave it in Phoenix), the under-financed dreamers from Ice Edge Holdings (who were looking for a bargain-basement price and nothing else) and the Mark Chipman-David Thomson duo (who really have become the apple of the NHL’s eye).
She forced the WRHA to admit they had NOT REVIEWED the data and take steps to correct errors or systemic flaws that led to preventable deaths, such as 27 emergency room patients died because of delays in ER treatment, misdiagnosis of a brain bleed (shades of Gail Glesby), and bed shortages in ICU. Another 94 died due to equipment failure, diagnosis and medication errors and post-surgical complications.
The Free Press has asked for the 2009 data and was told that for the one year, the WRHA would charge $16, 905.
How could it only cost $225 for two years worth of data, but now it's almost $17,000 for a single year?
Well now... the blatant disregard for the rights of the applicant, the delays, the stalling, the ignoring requests for clarification, the demand for exorbitant fees, and the willfull violation of the Act?
THAT is the legacy of former Chief Executive Officer and, by coincidence, former Chief Privacy Officer ! -- Dr. Brian Postl.
The same man that is guiding the instruction of the doctors (and doctors who become administrators) of tomorrow at the University of Manitoba.
The same man who told CJOB that Skerritt's reporting into the Brown Envelope program was 'laughable'.
So funny, in fact, that the Provincial Auditor decided to investigate based on her story even though Postl claimed he had called the Auditor asking for a review of the policy - (Now THAT'S comical).
It appears this decision about whether to release information under FIPPA was based on paranoia that the region would be unfairly criticized, and the stability of their political benefactors (ie Health Minister Theresa Oswald who called Postl "courageous" in defence of his Brown Envelope scandal behavior) would suffer as a result.
Perhaps if the Act had teeth-- like criminal charges for obstructing access to public interest documents and reports like, say, how many people were DYING perhaps unnecessarily in hospitals on Postl's watch - the bureaucracies of this province such as the WRHA would show some respect for the people's right to know, instead of contempt.
***************
Here is the Sherbrook Street bike lane update we broadcast this week:
* Last week we held another Live Remote from CDI College at 280 Main Street and we were joined by Barrett Fraser of 360Winnipeg.ca for his Tuesday "New Media Perspectives" commentary. The staff and students are always so welcoming when we visit and we are proud to be sponsored by CDI.
With Graduation coming up on June 5th at Know United Church, we'll have Campus Director Tahl East on the show again that week to tell us about the preparations for the ceremony -- which will include an address to the gathering by Mayor Sam Katz.
* This past Thursday night we watched the end of the wrestling career of Priceless Chad Tatum of Brandon, who gave it his all in a challenge to the PCW champion, the World's Own Kenny Omega at Highway to Hell. The crowd at Dylan's on Pembina thrilled at the battle with the international star until a series of german suplexes rendered Tatum hors de combat.
Tatum was part of a crop of rural athletes, including his former partner Rawskillz and the master of the midriff clamp Mike Angels, who broke into the game in 1999 and drove the long miles from Western Manitoba to prove themselves ring-worthy. They were the next generation of beyond-the-perimeter warriors, sweating and straining to learn and hone their craft as had Chi Chi Cruz and Eddie Watts in the 1980's.
Outside of the ring, Chad is a soft-spoken and good-natured man who has a wonderful career in teaching, a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way. Best of luck to Chad as he follows Average Joe Dixon into the roll call of past PCW competitors.
* Blogs to read this long weekend include:
1) All about the state of Downtown and the Exchange District with special emphasis on parking issues and some illuminating pictures, http://progressivewinnipeg.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-two-four-weekender-special.html
2) More about downtown with the emphasis on the Downtown Biz' failed spin about their safety poll, and the failure of Portage Place with some neat video : http://slurpeesandmurder.blogspot.com/2010/05/portage-place-coming-alive-but-not.html
3) Why, contrary to what Judge Ray Wyant says, the media is not the cause of public dissatisfaction with the court system, it's his fellow gavel-bangers:
http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2010/05/case-to-elect-judges-exhibit.html
4) And of course, Rick the Boss' favorite photographic archive by the fabulous Bryan Scott
http://www.winnipeglovehate.com/
*****************
VICTORIA DAY MONDAY REPLAY: THE RETURN OF JOHN COLLISON from April 12th
TGCTS is back with live broadcasts Tuesday, May 25 at 4 PM!
Isn't It Fun watching the mainstream media play catch-up...
For weeks on the Great Canadian Talk Show, Scott Taylor and I have been talking about the three groups or individuals involved in the alleged purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes: Chicago’s Jerry Reinsdorf (who is too smart to buy that dog and leave it in Phoenix), the under-financed dreamers from Ice Edge Holdings (who were looking for a bargain-basement price and nothing else) and the Mark Chipman-David Thomson duo (who really have become the apple of the NHL’s eye).
Now one of the local mainstream outlets determined that yes, indeed, Chipman was the third buyer on the scene.
Wow! Nice scoop, FP. Glad the Globe found a "document" for you. What ever happened to real reporting and the old adage, "get it first and get it right."
At the Great Canadian Talk Show we always seem to get it first and once again, we get it right.
Nice to see the local broadsheet caught up to the 'lesser media'.
*****************
On the other hand, the broadsheet hit paydirt with a Freedom of Information request that forced the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to fork over the internal documentation about almost 900 "critical care" incidents in 2007 and 2008.
The WRHA tried every trick imaginable once they realized that Fortress Postl was not immune from FIPPA legislation. They tried
- the 30 day delay
- charging a fee in lieu of ruling that releasing the information was a public interest issue.
- stalled for 3 weeks after the $225 fee was paid
- attempted to claim there were problems with processing the request (whatever could THAT mean?) and offered to refund the fee, and refused to explain what was the problem until the Ombudsman was called
- claimed the "information contained in the privileged data application does not contain a complete account of the facts of what actually occurred with respect to the critical incident." (does this mean the WRHA was compiling incomplete accounts?)
- Ten Weeks AFTER "the Ombudsman found that the WRHA did not comply with the requirements for responding under FIPPA.", snottily replied they would do it -- just this once.
The reasons for the desperate attempt to sidestep the application was made obvious by the great work of reporter Jen Skerritt on the file.She forced the WRHA to admit they had NOT REVIEWED the data and take steps to correct errors or systemic flaws that led to preventable deaths, such as 27 emergency room patients died because of delays in ER treatment, misdiagnosis of a brain bleed (shades of Gail Glesby), and bed shortages in ICU. Another 94 died due to equipment failure, diagnosis and medication errors and post-surgical complications.
The Free Press has asked for the 2009 data and was told that for the one year, the WRHA would charge $16, 905.
How could it only cost $225 for two years worth of data, but now it's almost $17,000 for a single year?
Well now... the blatant disregard for the rights of the applicant, the delays, the stalling, the ignoring requests for clarification, the demand for exorbitant fees, and the willfull violation of the Act?
THAT is the legacy of former Chief Executive Officer and, by coincidence, former Chief Privacy Officer ! -- Dr. Brian Postl.
The same man that is guiding the instruction of the doctors (and doctors who become administrators) of tomorrow at the University of Manitoba.
The same man who told CJOB that Skerritt's reporting into the Brown Envelope program was 'laughable'.
So funny, in fact, that the Provincial Auditor decided to investigate based on her story even though Postl claimed he had called the Auditor asking for a review of the policy - (Now THAT'S comical).
It appears this decision about whether to release information under FIPPA was based on paranoia that the region would be unfairly criticized, and the stability of their political benefactors (ie Health Minister Theresa Oswald who called Postl "courageous" in defence of his Brown Envelope scandal behavior) would suffer as a result.
Perhaps if the Act had teeth-- like criminal charges for obstructing access to public interest documents and reports like, say, how many people were DYING perhaps unnecessarily in hospitals on Postl's watch - the bureaucracies of this province such as the WRHA would show some respect for the people's right to know, instead of contempt.
***************
Here is the Sherbrook Street bike lane update we broadcast this week:
From: Belinda Squance, Ellice Cafe
Subject: Update
To: "'Marty"
Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 3:46 PM
Sigh.
I met with Harvey Smith and Kevin Nixon yesterday. I am slightly more frustrated than before the meeting.
One piece of information I did get out of Kevin was the purpose of this proposed route. Apparently the AT route is being planned for Sherbrook for the sake of HSC staff. The hope is to get them out of cars and on to bikes.
I told him I have not met a single cyclist who supports this plan. The ‘true’ cyclists say bike lanes make cycling more dangerous. Most say they are either fine with Sherbrook as it is or they won’t start riding on Sherbrook if the bike lane is put in place.
Kevin also said he has photos over the course of two weeks showing that not all parking is taken up on the east side of Sherbrook. I said the west side is full by 7 am when I walk to work.
He suggested maybe putting in meters and having two hour paid parking to ease that problem.
When I went around to businesses in the area yesterday they are ALL against this plan. I also have some regular customers who own apartments/rooming houses on Sherbrook between Ellice and Sargent.
One only heard about this plan when I told him yesterday.
I have phoned and left a message with Glen Laubenstein as well. I have yet to hear back from his office about when we can meet.
Harvey is going to try and get us on the agenda to speak at a Public Works meeting May 25. This is our first avenue (according to Kevin) to put a halt to this part of the project.
He said he can not change any of the plan and Sherbrook has to go ahead with the rest of the whole AT plan.
We suggested they use Langside instead as it has controlled crossings at Portage and Ellice already. The City would just have to put in a cross walk at Sargent. He seemed unmoveable on the whole issue. He did not believe removing parking would have any negative impact on the area. He didn’t come into the meeting with a bike helmet. I am guessing he drove. I could be wrong but he does not seem like the guy to be heading this project.
I will keep you posted.
Thanks!
A very tired,
Belinda
******************* Last week we held another Live Remote from CDI College at 280 Main Street and we were joined by Barrett Fraser of 360Winnipeg.ca for his Tuesday "New Media Perspectives" commentary. The staff and students are always so welcoming when we visit and we are proud to be sponsored by CDI.
With Graduation coming up on June 5th at Know United Church, we'll have Campus Director Tahl East on the show again that week to tell us about the preparations for the ceremony -- which will include an address to the gathering by Mayor Sam Katz.
* This past Thursday night we watched the end of the wrestling career of Priceless Chad Tatum of Brandon, who gave it his all in a challenge to the PCW champion, the World's Own Kenny Omega at Highway to Hell. The crowd at Dylan's on Pembina thrilled at the battle with the international star until a series of german suplexes rendered Tatum hors de combat.
Tatum was part of a crop of rural athletes, including his former partner Rawskillz and the master of the midriff clamp Mike Angels, who broke into the game in 1999 and drove the long miles from Western Manitoba to prove themselves ring-worthy. They were the next generation of beyond-the-perimeter warriors, sweating and straining to learn and hone their craft as had Chi Chi Cruz and Eddie Watts in the 1980's.
Outside of the ring, Chad is a soft-spoken and good-natured man who has a wonderful career in teaching, a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way. Best of luck to Chad as he follows Average Joe Dixon into the roll call of past PCW competitors.
* Blogs to read this long weekend include:
1) All about the state of Downtown and the Exchange District with special emphasis on parking issues and some illuminating pictures, http://progressivewinnipeg.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-two-four-weekender-special.html
2) More about downtown with the emphasis on the Downtown Biz' failed spin about their safety poll, and the failure of Portage Place with some neat video : http://slurpeesandmurder.blogspot.com/2010/05/portage-place-coming-alive-but-not.html
3) Why, contrary to what Judge Ray Wyant says, the media is not the cause of public dissatisfaction with the court system, it's his fellow gavel-bangers:
http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2010/05/case-to-elect-judges-exhibit.html
4) And of course, Rick the Boss' favorite photographic archive by the fabulous Bryan Scott
http://www.winnipeglovehate.com/
*****************
VICTORIA DAY MONDAY REPLAY: THE RETURN OF JOHN COLLISON from April 12th
TGCTS is back with live broadcasts Tuesday, May 25 at 4 PM!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Manitoba Day crowd told Friends of Upper Fort Garry seizing Assiniboine Avenue for their pet project
Today, at the site of the taxpayer-subsidized provincial park that will form the new backyard of the Manitoba Club, residents of nearby apartment buildings and other citizens were shocked to learn that the greed of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry (57% controlled by the Club) knows no bounds.
"They're crazy" said Tom, a senior citizen whose apartment overlooks the site. He spoke to TGCTS after attending the Manitoba Day tent display of the plans the entitled class have for the neighbourhood.
"Your flyer is 100% right, they don't care about us, they want everything for themselves. Take away parking?? We already have city employees with those damn parking permits taking up all the street spots. Fort Street is already congested half the time. Now they want to make it worse!"
A model of the site does not even pretend to hide their shameless sense of entitlement.
It showed Assiniboine Avenue completely closed off to east-west traffic, with parking removed, and eastbound vehicles to be forced down Fort Street and to Broadway.
When other attendees left the tent, saw our flyer, and learned that if traffic is forced off Assiniboine and onto Broadway via Main or Fort, the city of Winnipeg's own traffic engineers admit the intersection (currently a 'C') would score an "F"- would FLUNK the traffic flow standard -- they were outraged.
"How can they do this? My son's (downtown) business relies on deliveries being on time", said Evelyn, who also expressed concern that the Manitoba Club has not contributed a dime to the project yet can afford a $7 Million mortgage. "They should be ashamed of themselves for this idea".
Her friend Isabel, who also attended the tent event stated "this smelled like a big sales job, now I know why."
In an exclusive interview with Kim our Traffic Reporter, FUFG vision guy Garry Hilderman, a landscape architect, demonstrated his continuing contempt for the families and taxpaying citizens of this city.
Two years ago, at a fundraising luncheon for Heritage Winnipeg held at Hotel Fort Garry on March 28, 2008, urban blogger Rob Galston reported
"Speaking against the proposed apartment building Mr. Hilderman speculated that not only would the smell of barbeques emit from the balconies, but so would the sounds of tenants yelling at their kids."
Today, Hilderman insulted non-millionaire Winnipeggers even further, dismissing that idea that working people's or city traffic engineers concerns matter in the least, when compared to the need of the Friends to engage in social engineering for their pet project to succeed.
From: Kim The Traffic reporter
To: talk @ kick.fm
"Garry Hilderman, who sits on the board of directors for the FUFG said that "right now there are no plans to close down Assiniboine at Fort". Hildebrand went on to say those plans will be in the future.
To: talk @ kick.fm
"Garry Hilderman, who sits on the board of directors for the FUFG said that "right now there are no plans to close down Assiniboine at Fort". Hildebrand went on to say those plans will be in the future.
Hilderman also said that they want to make the area safe because of all the school kids that will be coming to the park, the kids would have to cross the street back and forth to Bonnycastle Park.
He also said:
-they were in talks with the city - Planning and Property - about closing Assiniboine
-they were also in talks with the Active Transportation people as well
-there will be NO parking along Assiniboine between Fort and Main
-wants to make the area "pedestrian friendly"
-thinks more people should get out of their cars
-the FUFG will be in control of the park but the Forks will take care of the day to day management of the park
He also said:
-they were in talks with the city - Planning and Property - about closing Assiniboine
-they were also in talks with the Active Transportation people as well
-there will be NO parking along Assiniboine between Fort and Main
-wants to make the area "pedestrian friendly"
-thinks more people should get out of their cars
-the FUFG will be in control of the park but the Forks will take care of the day to day management of the park
Hilderman thinks that Assiniboine should be closed down, saying that at rush hour the only way people can get onto Assiniboine from Main ( meaning from St. Boniface) was to wait for a pedestrian to cross.
He also said that if people at Broadway have to wait an additional 30 seconds so what?
He also indicated that people shouldn't be cutting through Assiniboine they should be using Broadway. "
He also said that if people at Broadway have to wait an additional 30 seconds so what?
He also indicated that people shouldn't be cutting through Assiniboine they should be using Broadway. "
Hilderman and the Friends -- who have no concept of how long turns at the intersection of Main and Broadway will take if it becomes an "F" and how it will affect businesses, families, transit riders, etc, also do not realize that neither Mayor Katz nor the Downtown Biz knew of, or support, their plan to take over Assiniboine Avenue, which lies outside the legal boundaries of the provincial park gifted to them by former premier Gary Doer.
************
*Related post * http://anybody-want-a-peanut.blogspot.com/2010/05/ufg-unveiling.html
"I overheard the Friend that was manning this post say to a lady that the intersection of Main and Assiniboine is very dangerous, and may be closed off. "So the plan is to close off Assiniboine?" I ask. "No, no that's not in the plan right now" he assures me...."
"What's happening with Assiniboine?" I ask the Friend who's in charge of this display, "It looks like it just kind of disappears." "Yes, it gets closed off and the traffic will be routed up Fort Street" he tells me, "but that won't happen for several years" he says, obviously sensitive to the fact that some people drive cars and may not like seeing a street closed off...
Whichever way you look at it, you ought to keep in mind the cost: the lost vitality and safety that would have come from having more people living downtown, the property taxes that we had to forgo, the direct contributions by the various governments, and the indirect contributions in the form of donations from crown corporations and tax-payer funded organizations.
All of these costs were forced on us by a small handful of privileged people. There was no consultation about doing this. Just a PR campaign to get the government on their side. Two years later: "here you go ... this is what you're getting."
ALSO RELATED: http://drunkenrantsofthemonkey.blogspot.com/2010/05/idiocy-of-city-of-winnipegread-active.html
Not only will closing Assiniboine create a traffic snarl of EPIC proportions, the resulting snarl will make my job nearly impossible to do considering I deliver and pick up at many businesses along Assiniboine AND Fort. I can see one thing happening if this were to come to fruition, many businesses will either go under or move to a completely different area of the city, creating a black hole in the core......I'm sorry, ANOTHER black hole in the core.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Despite North End Poverty, Gangs, Potholes, Governments Choosing to Spending over $2 Million on -- Bicycle Paths
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
To: talk@kick.fm
I arrived at the North End Bikeway System Workshop taking place at 200 Powers (William Whyte School) at about 4:45pm on Tuesday May 4th.
At that time one of the consultants was placing signs on the front doors of the school regarding the open house, the signs were standard sizes of paper, one of the signs had an arrow pointing north. The entrance to the event was on the side of the building, entering in through the receiving doors. Rounding the corner, I took note of standard size paper with the usual notice of the open house.
(by the way Marty this is for you, Bill Woroby..in jest said he was feeling neglected because you hadn't mentioned his name for a few days..lol..sorry I had to tell you.)
According to the Active Transportation website, the workshop was supposed to follow a schedule. This however was not the case as there were enough consultants on hand to deal with any questions. There were six consultants available along with Bill Woroby and Kevin Nixon from the City. The number of people attending the event was 22.
Most of the people attending were cyclists and many of the comments did seem positive, though the turnout for this event was low, the consultants did say that approximately 50 people turned out for the previous open house which took place April 15/10.
However, there was a mix-up regarding the location for the open house that day which due to the efforts of Marty Gold and the The Great Canadian Talk Show another open house was scheduled.
The plans for the streets which have been targeted for the Active Transportation routes are at this point not finalized. Those attending the open house received an evaluation sheet for these streets, included on these sheets was the option of "no change". Meaning that the residents are able to opt for no changes.
The streets dealt with in this open house are as follows:
Main St.:
Beginning at Main and Sutherland heading Southbound towards downtown AT is looking at a shared sidewalk/multi-use path to Higgins. The consultants did say that the sidewalk was wide enough to support this.
The path then will run from Higgins to Princess.
From Princess to Logan a bike lane is proposed.
King St. from:
Flora to Dufferin - sharrows are planned with no loss of parking, a four way stop with curb extensions are also planned at Flora. Curb extension are planned for the crosswalk at David Livingstone School as well as a four-way stop and curb extensions at King and Dufferin.
Dufferin to Sutherland:
A bike lane is planned with no loss of parking
At the moment Main St. will be the connector for these routes to downtown, however, a future plan may include either a bridge over the CP mainline or an underpass on Maple St.. The consultants for the project did say that the cost for both projects would be "prohibitive" and "a huge cost". Also a problem with a bridge over CP would involve restrictions from Transport Canada.
On Sutherland from King to Main a bike lane is planned with no loss of parking.
An option being provided is Stella Walk from King to Charles. This area is a backlane which is not open to most traffic, though trucks including fire trucks would have access. The area is currently chained off and is already in use.
Charles will be a bike boulevard:
Will see no loss of parking and no diversions although with traffic calming circles one or two parking spots may be affected.
Flora to Selkirk - may see a multi-use path (though at the moment it is "potential")
At Pritchard the options are a raised intersection or a traffic calming circle.
Flora will become a bike boulevard with little (due to traffic circles) to no loss of parking.
@Charles: raised intersection
@Powers: either a raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: a flip stop sign
@McKenzie: either a raised intersection or traffic circle
@Parr: either a: flip stop sign, raised intersection or traffic circle
@Arlington: either a median refuge or forced right turn/median refuge
-a median refuge is a median built into the roadway allowing cyclists to stop in the center of the road, then proceeding when safe to do so.
-a forced right turn median forces traffic to turn right at the median
Pritchard from Main to Keewatin will become a bike boulevard and only affected intersections will be mentioned.
@Aikins: either a flip stop sign or raised intersection
@Salter: either a forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Powers: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: Flip stop sign
Traffic counts on McGregor at Pritchard are:
Northbound: AM 291 PM 812 AADT (average annual daily total) 5435
Southbound: AM 769 PM 404 AADT 5865
there are no planned measures here
@McKenzie: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Pritchard from McKenzie to Parr:
Westbound: AM 29 PM 43 (no AADT)
Eastbound: AM 24 PM 34 (no AADT)
@Parr: flip stop sign or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Pritchard from Parr to Arlington:
Westbound: AM 18 PM 24 (no AADT)
Eastbound: AM 20 PM 28 (no AADT)
@Arlington: either forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts on Arlington at Pritchard:
Northbound: AM 457 PM 1148 AADT 8404
Southbound: AM 925 PM 553 AADT 7596
@Battery: either a flip stop sign or curb extensions or traffic circle
@McPhillips: forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts for McPhillips at Pritchard:
Northbound: AM 1050 PM 2010 AADT 21379
Southbound: AM 1825 PM 1472 AADT 20898
@McNichol: either a raised intersection or curb extensions or traffic circle
@Shaughnessy: stop signs will be converted to a two-way stop
At this point the bike boulevard will move to Sheppard to Railway St and onto Manitoba. At Manitoba and Chudley there could be curb extensions.
Machray from Main to Fife will become a bike boulevard.
@Aikens: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Powers: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: raised intersection
@McKenzie: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Arlington: median refuge or forced right median refuge
at this point the bike boulevard shifts to Sinclair to Cathedral to Cairnsmore back to Machray.
@Airlies: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Machray from Cairnsmore to Airlies:
Westbound: AM 14 PM 13 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 6 PM 20 No AADT
Traffic counts from Airlies to Robertson (on Machray)
Westbound: AM 11 PM 19 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 9 PM 32 No AADT
Traffic counts from McPhillips to Fife:
Westbound: AM 11 PM 19 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 19 PM 32 No AADT
the bike boulevard will continue onto Fife
Church from Fife to Keewatin will be a bike lane with no loss of parking or diversions.
THE COST?
The Charles/Flora bike paths are listed at $60, 000.00
Machray bike boulevard (Main-Keewatin) listed at $900,000.00
Pritchard bike boulevard (Main-Keewatin) listed at $900,000.00
Grand total listed is at $2,040,000.00.
Note: The project for Powers St. (below) is not part of the Federal Stimulus Fund.
**********************
Powers from Sutherland to Leila will be a bike boulevard
@Jarvis: flip stop sign
@Stella: curb extensions
@Selkirk: a future plan is to add a multi-use pathway connection at the park
@Pritchard: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Burrows: forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts on Powers from Boyd to College:
Northbound: AM 11 PM 28 AADT 333
Southbound: AM 17 PM 27 AADT 351
Traffic counts on Mountain between Powers and Andrews:
Westbound: AM 417 PM 466 AADT 6028
Eastbound: AM 365 PM 989 AADT 6114
@Mountain: either curb extensions or forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Anderson: either curb extensions or traffic circle or raised intersection
@Church: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Machray: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Powers between Atlantic and Polson:
Northbound: AM 13 PM 32 AADT 304
Southbound: AM 15 PM 29 AADT 255
Powers from Polson to Inkster:
Northbound: AM 28 PM 46 AADT 436
Southbound: AM 7 PM 14 AADT 204
Traffic counts on Inkster from Powers to Andrews:
Westbound: AM 482 PM 448 AADT 5793
Eastbound: AM 383 PM 632 AADT 7657
@Inkster: forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Smithfield: convert from a 4way stop to a 2way stop
@Rupertsland: traffic circle or raised intersection
@Enniskillen: convert 4way stop to a 2way stop
@Hartford: traffic calming measures are considered, unknown what form they will take due to complaints of residents about speeding in the area.
Traffic counts on Powers from Partridge to Leila:
Northbound: AM 17 PM 63 No AADT
Southbound: 13 PM 25 No AADT
Complaints were made regarding speeding at Hartford, but there were also complaints made regarding Powers at Partridge because of obstructed views by vehicles and the bus shelter.
The project for Powers is not part of the Federal Stimulus Fund. The North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists in 2007 began the project for Powers, offically being designated as an Active Transportation route in 2008.
In 2009 $145,000.00 was set aside for the Powers route, this however came from the Disraeli Project, but with the project delayed, the money for the Powers project has been tied up.
The idea was to alleviate bicycle traffic on Main Street by building the Powers Street bike path.
When asked what the cost would be to build the Powers bike path, Kevin Nixon was unable to provide a figure saying "it's in a design phase" and that there is "no urgency to build". Nixon went on to say that it is easier to do consultations along with the other projects. Money will be spent where Powers intersects with other AT projects in the area.
Kevin Nixon went on to say that they (ATAC) is looking at putting some of the money from other projects (such as the now defunct Omand's Creek Bridge) into Powers St., but can only be the 1/3 provided for in the stimulus package by the City. Nixon said that the Federal and Provinical Governments were clear on what could be done with the portions of money coming from those sectors.
Nixon went on to say that "ATAC sole purpose is to advise the Director of Public Works" and that the individuals on the committee may not advocate for any particular project, though the organizations represented on the committee may do so.
One member of the North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, Nona said that their area had the highest number of cyclists which is in part due to the high number of economically disadvantaged people. She went on to say that they "need a safe transportation corridor", further saying the North End needed a safe route to downtown.
Though this event had a low turnout, this project did seem to be one of the least controversial of all the projects planned. In fact, those who attended were pleased, however the one major complaint from most people was the condition of the roads. Potholes at intersections will be repaired, but no other road repairs will be made.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kim's thoughts:
One of my concerns for these projects are the forced turns onto streets like McPhillips and Arlington which already see larger amounts of traffic. Particularly McPhillips.
Having to make a right turn and then find a way to pull a U-Turn during rush hour traffic is not something I'd want to do.
Once again I think the majority is being sacrificed for the minority.
Another concern would be safety. This is not a good area of the city. Until the gangs and criminal elements are cleaned up, not sure how safe riding these routes are going to be.
It's a good thing to put in bike paths, cyclists share the road..that's understood. But I would rather see traffic lights utilized more in these plans. I think traffic devices are a safer way to travel even though the cyclists have to stop. But then so does vehicular traffic.
The idea of trying to cross McPhillips even with a median refuge is not one I'd contemplate at all.
I do have to say this about the North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, they are passionate about what they want to do. I understand what they want to achieve and agree with it, in this case it's not a matter of trying to ram their ideology down someone's throat (which I've seen from some other cyclists), instead they are looking to teach the kids in their neighbourhoods about safety, about life lessons and so much more which is a good thing to do.
To: talk@kick.fm
I arrived at the North End Bikeway System Workshop taking place at 200 Powers (William Whyte School) at about 4:45pm on Tuesday May 4th.
At that time one of the consultants was placing signs on the front doors of the school regarding the open house, the signs were standard sizes of paper, one of the signs had an arrow pointing north. The entrance to the event was on the side of the building, entering in through the receiving doors. Rounding the corner, I took note of standard size paper with the usual notice of the open house.
(by the way Marty this is for you, Bill Woroby..in jest said he was feeling neglected because you hadn't mentioned his name for a few days..lol..sorry I had to tell you.)
According to the Active Transportation website, the workshop was supposed to follow a schedule. This however was not the case as there were enough consultants on hand to deal with any questions. There were six consultants available along with Bill Woroby and Kevin Nixon from the City. The number of people attending the event was 22.
Most of the people attending were cyclists and many of the comments did seem positive, though the turnout for this event was low, the consultants did say that approximately 50 people turned out for the previous open house which took place April 15/10.
However, there was a mix-up regarding the location for the open house that day which due to the efforts of Marty Gold and the The Great Canadian Talk Show another open house was scheduled.
The plans for the streets which have been targeted for the Active Transportation routes are at this point not finalized. Those attending the open house received an evaluation sheet for these streets, included on these sheets was the option of "no change". Meaning that the residents are able to opt for no changes.
The streets dealt with in this open house are as follows:
Main St.:
Beginning at Main and Sutherland heading Southbound towards downtown AT is looking at a shared sidewalk/multi-use path to Higgins. The consultants did say that the sidewalk was wide enough to support this.
The path then will run from Higgins to Princess.
From Princess to Logan a bike lane is proposed.
King St. from:
Flora to Dufferin - sharrows are planned with no loss of parking, a four way stop with curb extensions are also planned at Flora. Curb extension are planned for the crosswalk at David Livingstone School as well as a four-way stop and curb extensions at King and Dufferin.
Dufferin to Sutherland:
A bike lane is planned with no loss of parking
At the moment Main St. will be the connector for these routes to downtown, however, a future plan may include either a bridge over the CP mainline or an underpass on Maple St.. The consultants for the project did say that the cost for both projects would be "prohibitive" and "a huge cost". Also a problem with a bridge over CP would involve restrictions from Transport Canada.
On Sutherland from King to Main a bike lane is planned with no loss of parking.
An option being provided is Stella Walk from King to Charles. This area is a backlane which is not open to most traffic, though trucks including fire trucks would have access. The area is currently chained off and is already in use.
Charles will be a bike boulevard:
Will see no loss of parking and no diversions although with traffic calming circles one or two parking spots may be affected.
Flora to Selkirk - may see a multi-use path (though at the moment it is "potential")
At Pritchard the options are a raised intersection or a traffic calming circle.
Flora will become a bike boulevard with little (due to traffic circles) to no loss of parking.
@Charles: raised intersection
@Powers: either a raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: a flip stop sign
@McKenzie: either a raised intersection or traffic circle
@Parr: either a: flip stop sign, raised intersection or traffic circle
@Arlington: either a median refuge or forced right turn/median refuge
-a median refuge is a median built into the roadway allowing cyclists to stop in the center of the road, then proceeding when safe to do so.
-a forced right turn median forces traffic to turn right at the median
Pritchard from Main to Keewatin will become a bike boulevard and only affected intersections will be mentioned.
@Aikins: either a flip stop sign or raised intersection
@Salter: either a forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Powers: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: Flip stop sign
Traffic counts on McGregor at Pritchard are:
Northbound: AM 291 PM 812 AADT (average annual daily total) 5435
Southbound: AM 769 PM 404 AADT 5865
there are no planned measures here
@McKenzie: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Pritchard from McKenzie to Parr:
Westbound: AM 29 PM 43 (no AADT)
Eastbound: AM 24 PM 34 (no AADT)
@Parr: flip stop sign or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Pritchard from Parr to Arlington:
Westbound: AM 18 PM 24 (no AADT)
Eastbound: AM 20 PM 28 (no AADT)
@Arlington: either forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts on Arlington at Pritchard:
Northbound: AM 457 PM 1148 AADT 8404
Southbound: AM 925 PM 553 AADT 7596
@Battery: either a flip stop sign or curb extensions or traffic circle
@McPhillips: forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts for McPhillips at Pritchard:
Northbound: AM 1050 PM 2010 AADT 21379
Southbound: AM 1825 PM 1472 AADT 20898
@McNichol: either a raised intersection or curb extensions or traffic circle
@Shaughnessy: stop signs will be converted to a two-way stop
At this point the bike boulevard will move to Sheppard to Railway St and onto Manitoba. At Manitoba and Chudley there could be curb extensions.
Machray from Main to Fife will become a bike boulevard.
@Aikens: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Powers: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Andrews: raised intersection
@McKenzie: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Arlington: median refuge or forced right median refuge
at this point the bike boulevard shifts to Sinclair to Cathedral to Cairnsmore back to Machray.
@Airlies: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Machray from Cairnsmore to Airlies:
Westbound: AM 14 PM 13 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 6 PM 20 No AADT
Traffic counts from Airlies to Robertson (on Machray)
Westbound: AM 11 PM 19 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 9 PM 32 No AADT
Traffic counts from McPhillips to Fife:
Westbound: AM 11 PM 19 No AADT
Eastbound: AM 19 PM 32 No AADT
the bike boulevard will continue onto Fife
Church from Fife to Keewatin will be a bike lane with no loss of parking or diversions.
THE COST?
The Charles/Flora bike paths are listed at $60, 000.00
Machray bike boulevard (Main-Keewatin) listed at $900,000.00
Pritchard bike boulevard (Main-Keewatin) listed at $900,000.00
Grand total listed is at $2,040,000.00.
Note: The project for Powers St. (below) is not part of the Federal Stimulus Fund.
**********************
Powers from Sutherland to Leila will be a bike boulevard
@Jarvis: flip stop sign
@Stella: curb extensions
@Selkirk: a future plan is to add a multi-use pathway connection at the park
@Pritchard: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Burrows: forced right median refuge or median refuge
Traffic counts on Powers from Boyd to College:
Northbound: AM 11 PM 28 AADT 333
Southbound: AM 17 PM 27 AADT 351
Traffic counts on Mountain between Powers and Andrews:
Westbound: AM 417 PM 466 AADT 6028
Eastbound: AM 365 PM 989 AADT 6114
@Mountain: either curb extensions or forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Anderson: either curb extensions or traffic circle or raised intersection
@Church: raised intersection or traffic circle
@Machray: raised intersection or traffic circle
Traffic counts on Powers between Atlantic and Polson:
Northbound: AM 13 PM 32 AADT 304
Southbound: AM 15 PM 29 AADT 255
Powers from Polson to Inkster:
Northbound: AM 28 PM 46 AADT 436
Southbound: AM 7 PM 14 AADT 204
Traffic counts on Inkster from Powers to Andrews:
Westbound: AM 482 PM 448 AADT 5793
Eastbound: AM 383 PM 632 AADT 7657
@Inkster: forced right median refuge or median refuge
@Smithfield: convert from a 4way stop to a 2way stop
@Rupertsland: traffic circle or raised intersection
@Enniskillen: convert 4way stop to a 2way stop
@Hartford: traffic calming measures are considered, unknown what form they will take due to complaints of residents about speeding in the area.
Traffic counts on Powers from Partridge to Leila:
Northbound: AM 17 PM 63 No AADT
Southbound: 13 PM 25 No AADT
Complaints were made regarding speeding at Hartford, but there were also complaints made regarding Powers at Partridge because of obstructed views by vehicles and the bus shelter.
The project for Powers is not part of the Federal Stimulus Fund. The North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists in 2007 began the project for Powers, offically being designated as an Active Transportation route in 2008.
In 2009 $145,000.00 was set aside for the Powers route, this however came from the Disraeli Project, but with the project delayed, the money for the Powers project has been tied up.
The idea was to alleviate bicycle traffic on Main Street by building the Powers Street bike path.
When asked what the cost would be to build the Powers bike path, Kevin Nixon was unable to provide a figure saying "it's in a design phase" and that there is "no urgency to build". Nixon went on to say that it is easier to do consultations along with the other projects. Money will be spent where Powers intersects with other AT projects in the area.
Kevin Nixon went on to say that they (ATAC) is looking at putting some of the money from other projects (such as the now defunct Omand's Creek Bridge) into Powers St., but can only be the 1/3 provided for in the stimulus package by the City. Nixon said that the Federal and Provinical Governments were clear on what could be done with the portions of money coming from those sectors.
Nixon went on to say that "ATAC sole purpose is to advise the Director of Public Works" and that the individuals on the committee may not advocate for any particular project, though the organizations represented on the committee may do so.
One member of the North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, Nona said that their area had the highest number of cyclists which is in part due to the high number of economically disadvantaged people. She went on to say that they "need a safe transportation corridor", further saying the North End needed a safe route to downtown.
Though this event had a low turnout, this project did seem to be one of the least controversial of all the projects planned. In fact, those who attended were pleased, however the one major complaint from most people was the condition of the roads. Potholes at intersections will be repaired, but no other road repairs will be made.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kim's thoughts:
One of my concerns for these projects are the forced turns onto streets like McPhillips and Arlington which already see larger amounts of traffic. Particularly McPhillips.
Having to make a right turn and then find a way to pull a U-Turn during rush hour traffic is not something I'd want to do.
Once again I think the majority is being sacrificed for the minority.
Another concern would be safety. This is not a good area of the city. Until the gangs and criminal elements are cleaned up, not sure how safe riding these routes are going to be.
It's a good thing to put in bike paths, cyclists share the road..that's understood. But I would rather see traffic lights utilized more in these plans. I think traffic devices are a safer way to travel even though the cyclists have to stop. But then so does vehicular traffic.
The idea of trying to cross McPhillips even with a median refuge is not one I'd contemplate at all.
I do have to say this about the North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, they are passionate about what they want to do. I understand what they want to achieve and agree with it, in this case it's not a matter of trying to ram their ideology down someone's throat (which I've seen from some other cyclists), instead they are looking to teach the kids in their neighbourhoods about safety, about life lessons and so much more which is a good thing to do.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Parking Authority driving out businesses and residents of core area
Here are our latest findings about the WPA and how yet another struggling neighborhood is being gouged and treated with no respect.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: Kim the Traffic Reporter
To: Talk@kick.fm
hello marty;
On April 22/10 I did a little walkabout in the Exchange area, this is what I found:
Start: 12.10 Finish: 2.45pm
Around the Salvation Army I found Main St. was the only area with meters. Maple, Henry, Austin and Henry East of Main St. remained a time limited zone.
The WRHA building is right across the street from the Salvation Army. There are no meters on Higgins.
Looked at Union Gospel Mission on Princess between Higgens and Henry. There are 2 paystations, one on the east, one on the west side. According to Greg Stetski the Executive Director of the Mission there had never been a parking problem. Mr. Stetski said that "most of the people who come here are don't have any money for a car". The area up until late summer or early fall of 2009 had been a time limited area.
The Parking Authority did tell Union Gospel Mission the paystations were put in because of the WRHA building and that they (p.a) didn't know what the parking patterns will be, that the Mission could potentially have vehicles parked in front of their building. Mr. Stetski was told that "the parking authority would re-evaluate to see if the paystations are needed".
Union Gospel Mission does have a small parking lot, the P.A.. provided 10 special permits for on-street parking.
According to Mr. Stetski there has been no change in parking around the Mission, doesn't understand why the paystations were needed and would prefer the paystations not be there. No hint of a potential hike in parking rates was ever mentioned.
At the time I was in the area, no cars were parked. Cost of machines $30 000.00
Siloam Mission is next door to Union Gospel, at the time I was in the area Siloam was serving lunch. I did note that on the East side of Princess there was one paystation, in front of Siloam were time limited loading zones. Cost of machine $15 000.00, one vehicle was parked.
****************
Siloam Mission is next door to Union Gospel, at the time I was in the area Siloam was serving lunch. I did note that on the East side of Princess there was one paystation, in front of Siloam were time limited loading zones. Cost of machine $15 000.00, one vehicle was parked.
****************
Street by street analysis
Definitions:
c: vehicles
m: permits
p/s: paystations
n: nothing..no reciept, no permits..possible for pay by phone
h: handicap
Henry:
Dead End (near Main St.) to King
c: 2
m: 1 special permit
p/s: 1 (15 000)
Princess to King
c: 0
p/s: 1 (15 000) number 4923 not functioning
Princess to Stanley
c: 0
p/s: 1 (15g)
Businesses complaining about paystations. Couriers and delivery trucks are being ticketed, there is no loading zone available for use. By-law 6547/95 10(d) allows for duly lic. commercial vehicles to load/unload if no lane to serve the property.
Stanley to Lizzie
c: 0
p/s:1 (15g)
Lizzie to Fountain
c: 3
n: 2
m: 1
p/s: 1 (15g)
Past Fountain Henry becomes a limited time zone. One sign on each block, no connecting signs to indicate the start or finish of the zone. Enforcement would be "iffy".
Stanley:
Higgens to Henry
c: 3
n: 2
p/s: 2 (30g)
Henry to Logan
c: 0
p/s: 2 (30g
Fountain:
Logan to Alexander
c: 2
n: 1
h: 1 no receipt
p/s: 2 (30g)
Restaurant (Cheers) was told meters placed because of WRHA building on Main St., complaints to the parking authority were not adequately addressed and or ignored. See below for more notes (Marty this is one place for a good meal. Cleanest restaurant I've seen in a long time..food was really good and the highest praise..good coffee).
Ellen:
Logan to Alexander
c: 1
m: 1
p/s: 1 (15g)
Street appears to be broken by a back lane or alley
Ellen, Alexander to Pacific
c: 0
p/s: 1 (15g)
NO SIGNAGE AT ALL. Meter 4907 is NOT functional. Area is NOT enforceable.
Ellen, Pacific to Ross
c: 1
h: 1 no receipt
p/s: 1 (15g)
Ross to Elgin
c: 4
m: 3
p/s: 1 (15g)
Alexander:
King to Ellen
c: 3
p/s: 4 (60g)
no metered spaces west of Ellen
Logan:
King to Fountain
c: 0
p/s: 8 (120g)
Pacific:
Princess to Paulin
c: 4
n: 2
p/s: 1 (15g's)
Paulin to Ellen
c: 0
p/s: 2 (30g's)
Two signs indicate 2h 9-1730 m-s, one sign closer to Ellen by meter 4942 indicates 1h 9-1730 m-f.
This area is not taggable. Signs are not compatible.
Ross:
Princess to Ellen
c: 3
p/s: 3 (45g)
Signs read 12h m-s. This is a 24 hour a day sign.
Note from MARTY:
THIS STREET IS UNDER A 24 HOUR PAY THE WPA REGIME -- INCLUDING SUNDAYS. That's right, they pay on Sundays.
THIS STREET IS UNDER A 24 HOUR PAY THE WPA REGIME -- INCLUDING SUNDAYS. That's right, they pay on Sundays.
HOWEVER -- THE CITY BYLAW PROHIBITS CHARGING A FEE FOR PARKING AT THOSE TIMES/DAYS.
I HAVE 2 RECEIPTS, AS SEEN BY COUN. BROWATY, THAT THE RESIDENTS OF 300 BLOCK ROSS AVENUE PAY TO PARK IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES AFTER 5.30 PM AND UNTIL 9 AM, AND ALL DAY ON SUNDAYS TOO.
THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED IN THE CITY -- AND THE RESIDENTS WERE NEVER CONSULTED.
William:
Princess to Ellen
c: 2
p/s: 5 (75g)
Note residents indicated that paystations on Pacific and Ross were due to the students parking all day from Red River College.
William:
Princess to Ellen
c: 2
p/s: 5 (75g)
Note residents indicated that paystations on Pacific and Ross were due to the students parking all day from Red River College.
Marty's Note to councillors: the block immediately west of RRC, in front of Foon Hai chinese restaurant, has an inexplicable 2 hour limit, that applies all the way overnight until 7 AM. There is NO logic for this restriction.
KIM's totals:
KIM's totals:
Total cost of paystations for the streets covered 'LOGAN AREA': $615, 000.00.
Total cost of paystations for streets covered East (report to be filed) and West side of Main:
$1 0005 000.00.
Total number of vehicles counted on streets covered -- West side of main: 30
Total cost of paystations for streets covered East (report to be filed) and West side of Main:
$1 0005 000.00.
Total number of vehicles counted on streets covered -- West side of main: 30
Kim's NOTES:
* Sun Chemical: Located on Henry between Princess and Stanley
I was told this paystation is inconvenient, hurts business because his delivery vehicles have no place to unload the couriers and their 5 ton truck. They keep getting tickets for unloading. Nobody parks there anymore though the enforcement staff do come around.
Last year it would seem that the bike patrol was in the area.
* Cheers Restaurant, Corner of Logan and Fountain.
Was told that they signed a petition to have the paystations removed. They contacted the parking authority, emailed Dave Hill as well as their councillor Mike Paktighan. The replies were sent through the councillor. According to Peter the son of the owner, the letters were uninformative almost like a form letter.
They did not address the issues but instead spoke of Logan not Fountain.
Peter sent a final email and has had no response. Peter was told the paystations were put in because of the WRHA building which is on Main St.
Fountain is located nearer to Isabel.
The owner told me that residents are now starting to park their cars on her parking lot which is causing a problem for her customers. She told me that some of the businesses on Logan are experiencing some difficulties because people don't come to them anymore, they don't want to pay for the parking. I was also told that 3 people moved off Fountain because they didn't have anywhere to park.
Because the restaurant is seeing vehicles that don't belong they are afraid they could lose business because their customers won't pay for parking and they are having to ask people to move off the lot.
Contact:
Peter Kavadas (son of the owner)
ALSO
From: Captain Audio
Re: comments from Sun chemical and Cheers Restaurant no included in count
To: Talk@kick.fm
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 2:37 PM
I stopped in to Cheers restaurant today. Peter echoed his comments he made to Kim. Some other points he made to me...
•He estimates the restaurant is losing $350 per day
•City/hydro workers etc. that used to come for lunch, now don't because they can't park oversized vehicles in the lot and the street ain't free no more.
•He talked to the PA about neighbourhood people using his lot. PA told him "monitor your lot"
•Peter's Mom spoke of a Senior on Ellen who would get meals delivered to her house. The Mom says the Senior is having trouble getting volunteers to come because of the parking machines.
•Back lanes are now packed with cars trying to avoid paying (what if there's an emergency?)
•I saw a PA guy sitting in his car on Ellen. Seemingly waiting for someone to park on street without paying.
•I saw no cars parked on Fountain between Logan and Alexander. Two Vehicles on same stretch of Ellen. Both seemed to have a pass of some kind. Lots of revenue there, jesus!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thursday at 4 PM:- Coun. Jeff Browaty responds to these issues AND and he will explain how he saw proof that the WPA's mobile "spy camera" technology is issuing improper overtime parking tickets;
plus
- Barrett Fraser of 360 Winnipeg.ca with "New Media Perspectives" at 4.10 ,and
- 'That Wine Guy', Campbell Alexander, joins us at 5.25.
and for our blog readers, as a special bonus, the first person to email talk@kick.fm in response to this post will win a copy of the beautiful book RETROPEG, the 1970's pictorial essay about Winnipeg, AND a copy of 92.9 Kick-FM's compilation of local music CD, HomeSpun2.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mayor Katz issues statement on death of longtime Charleswood Coun. Bill Clement
Original Message -----
From: Salyn, Brad
Sent: Mon May 03 21:43:42 2010
Subject: Statement from Mayor Katz
"It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that I am to inform all Winnipeggers of the passing of Charleswood - Tuxedo City Councillor Bill Clement. Bill ultimately lost a hard fought battle with cancer.
We will miss Bill's passion, dedication, and knowledge who as a councillor always represented the citizens of Charleswood - Tuxedo and Winnipeg with integrity and wisdom.
On behalf of my colleagues on council, we pray for his family during this difficult time. Funeral details will follow."
From: Salyn, Brad
Sent: Mon May 03 21:43:42 2010
Subject: Statement from Mayor Katz
"It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that I am to inform all Winnipeggers of the passing of Charleswood - Tuxedo City Councillor Bill Clement. Bill ultimately lost a hard fought battle with cancer.
We will miss Bill's passion, dedication, and knowledge who as a councillor always represented the citizens of Charleswood - Tuxedo and Winnipeg with integrity and wisdom.
On behalf of my colleagues on council, we pray for his family during this difficult time. Funeral details will follow."
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