Evergreen Avenue Pending Sidewalk Plans and the Curtain of Silence

Bcc:Save Evergreen, Hear Us, Madrone Park Circle Group
Since July of last year, I've been working to raise awareness, share
information, propose concepts to DPW and Homestead residents, and work
with other "neighborhood watch groups" in Homestead on what would be
the best conclusion to this "Evergreen Avenue Sidewalk Saga" that
proceeds to enter a new chapter in our new year with what seems to be
a continuing "Curtain of Silence from the Department Of Public Works
and other ajencies involved in this project."
Last August, after recieving no responses to emails I sent to the
County and also meeting with DPW engineers to discuss my concerns
about the project, I was left with the conclusion of PETITIONING THE 6
FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK that was in the planning process against the will
of over 90 Homestead Valley residents who signed it....BASICALLY
STATING THAT THE PROPOSED SIDEWALK WAS "TOO WIDE FOR THE STREET." I
still have lingering questions about the project from the many emails
sent to the County that were never answered.
As this January comes to a close from the previous year in July since
this was first proposed, alot of residents feel that at this time,
they are being left "out of the loop" in the planning process, as they
felt it was done without proper timely notice in the beginning of this
projects first proposal to the community, I THINK NOW IS THE TIME TO
START THE PROCESS WITH ALL RESIDENTS CONCERNS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,
BEING THAT A 1 YEAR EXTENSION WAS GRANTED BY THE STATE FOR THE
PROJECT!
I'm feeling that at this particular time we are basically "AT A NEW
START, BUT BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED WITH THE SAME OLD SILENCE
TREATMENT AS TO WHEN THIS ALL STARTED!"
Marin Horizon School initiated the project; HVCA referred the project
along with other County agencies; and DPW designed the original
sidewalk plan.
To me, it's perfectly understandable that as time goes
on...improvements need to be made to meet to current demands, but I
also feel that it's not acceptable to ignore the concerns of the
residents who will be paying for the impacts of projects like this in
their neighborhood, in one way or the other. In this case, it seems
that way to me so far in the overall process of this project to date.
Some of the questions I have are:
Is the Department Of Public Works considering an alternate design for
the CURRENT (reduced in width) Plans For A 5 Foot Wide Concrete
Sidewalk To Be Installed On Evergreen Avenue In Homestead Valley, to
meet some of these residents concerns?
What official road feasibility study that currently exists shows that
a 5 foot wide sidewalk on the south side of Evergreen Avenue is the
best design for the current proposal, and that this information should
be implemented in the planning process as this project proceeds?
What was that reduction in proposed sidewalk width based on? Was it
based on data gathered and refigured from a new road feasibility study
report showing a need in road width increase contingent to traffic
frequency, road characteristics, safety concerns for bicyclists and
wheelchair access of the north side of the road (as I brought to
attention at past meetings), or was it just something DPW did to say
that they addressed the residents overall concerns about the original
6 foot wide sidewalk?
How much feedback does DPW need from residents of Homestead to
consider an alternate plan to the current design, which is virtually
the same as the original plan, that was obviously not the proper
design for Evergreen Avenues substandard easement? (I'm figuring that
was evident with the necessary reduction in the previous width of
sidewalk).
Did we really get anything accomplished at the last DPW Public Meeting
for the Evergreen Avenue Sidewalk Plans? The only thing I felt was
accomplished was the 1 year extension was granted from the State for
the SR2S Grant.
Now that the extension was granted, we should be at a timely starting
point of this project to incorporate all concerns of residents about
this project into the beginning planning process and through the
advanced designing stages. As reasonalble and responsable residents,
we deserve some action to be taken on securing the proper plans for
one of the main thoughfares to and from the valley.
Before the official reduction in sidewalk width was done late last
year, I was told by a DPW engineer that the Safe Routes To School
minimum is currently a 5 foot wide sidewalk...but what happens when it
turns out that a 5 foot wide sidewalk is still too wide for the
overall aesthetics of the street (particularly in certain portions of
the street)?
THAT'S WHY I SENT AN EMAIL TO DPW LAST NOVEMBER ASKING FOR A "FULL
SCALE MOCK-UP" TO BE DONE, TO LET THE RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT WOULD BE
SOME OF THE IMPLEMENTATIONS FROM THIS PROPOSAL!
The 1 year extension that the SRTS granted for the Evergreen Avenue
Sidewalk Plans is the best opportunity for planners and engineers of
DPW to gather the concerns of the residents and to reassess Evergreen
Avenues capibilities in aesthetics to accommodate a proposal of a
sidewalk, or it is even feasible.
Last August, I sent DPW a rough sketch of a proposed concept that
could serve as an "alternate design to explore," in hopes to help in
the process of meeting the concerns and demands of Evergreen Avenue
and Homestead residents who use this street daily, and who have
expectations from the "Road Improvements Currently Planned to One of
Our Main Thoroughfares In and Out of This Community!"
I feel that the only way we could get an honest and accurate expert
opinion and final report made on this matter of deciding "What To Do
About The Plans," is an official road feasibility study that should be
conducted by an outside firm with no further interest what so ever in
the proposal of a sidewalk on Evergreen Avenue.
FYI: I included an attachmant of the original "concept" I sent to DPW.
Please feel free to comment on this email to me or to the original
designated recipients.
After all...how would the County know what our concerns are if nobody
says anything?

For more information and news about this subject, please visit:
http://saveevergreen.blogspot.com/

Here is a link to an article about the first public meeting for the project:
http://millvalley.patch.com/articles/county-backs-evergreen-ave-project

Here is a link to an article about the project and some residents views:
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_16182764

Here is a link to some residents comments about the article:
http://www.topix.net/forum/city/novato-ca/TDAL7C312NL678AA6/p2

Best Regards,
Keith Garriott
(Keith Garriott is a resident of Homestead Valley, union building tradesman,
musician, community activist, and the founder of the Save Evergreen
Avenue Group, which aims to secure for the residents of his
neighborhood the best and safest possible street improvement plan for
Evergreen Avenue proposed by the Marin County Public Works and Marin
County local officials).