Notes by Ellen Sauer
We’ve reached a turning point with our group, so I thought a synopsis thus far would be helpful for all.
First, a group of Washington/Jefferson neighbors connected via text in July to intentionally focus on the traffic for a couple of months, calling the non-emergency FWPD desk to report issues and sharing in a group text so we could track our observations/calls. We created a spreadsheet for that tracking as well as the observed outcomes summarized in September.
Those neighbors are listed below. We assigned a couple of folks to each day to lessen the overwhelm.
Angelo, Anita, Annie, Brian and Janeen, Casi and Mike, Cindy H., Connie, Hannah, Kim K, Laura P., Laura and Phil, Mike Rogers, Rebecca G., Rob Buesching, Tasha
Our goals were:
- to assess when and where the biggest problems are
- to gather some data for us and ‘powers-that-be’
- help determine how to move forward and be a part of the solution
- assist the FWPD in localizing their limited resources (not to harass)
Then we met as a group in person to hash out some ideas that may be needed to help remedy the issues. The action step from that meeting was to set up a meeting with Geoff Paddock.
We had that meeting with Geoff on October 19th. It included several folks that Geoff invited including: Mark Luttik, Regional DOO at Hilton FW; Bart Shaw, ED at Grand Wayne; Jill Boggs, ED Visit FW; Dan Baisden, Head of FW Neighborhoods; Phil LaBrash, Public Works Traffic Engineer; Nick Jarrell, Public Works Right of Way; Lindsey Maksim, City Redevelopment.
We shared a synopsis of our observations thus far with some slides, then had a lively conversation about it all. The downtown businesses are very invested in remedying the traffic issues, particularly the noise, as it’s affecting tourism (as in conferences are starting to not choose us because the excessive noise from drag racing, modified cars, etc.)
We proposed the idea of a WC Traffic Liaison (and received a little uncertainty in return) and Mark, Jill and Bart thought a coalition of downtown businesses would be warranted.
We came away with some Action Steps and Potential Roles (slides 11 and 12) including neighbor Lindsey M. being willing to join forces as part of our liaison group for WC.
Our WC Traffic Group met again in person November 9.
This time our goals were:
- bring Lindsey Maksim into our fold and up to speed on what we’d already done, and learn what she could do with/for us in her role with the city.
- sort out how Mike Rogers, Phil Jackson and Lindsey could work together in the liaison role
- determine what our Traffic Group is moving forward
Outcomes: It was decided that Lindsey, Mike R. and Phil would meet to discuss how the role of liaison could be managed with the three of them. Then they’ll report back to the traffic group/Board on what their plan is. Yay!
A smattering of notes taken at this meeting as well as initial ideas for liaison roles can be found on slides 13 and 14.