The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
SIERRA VISTA — A final concept for the Fry Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Plan will be unveiled next week, but the West End Commission may still offer a critical eye to the plan as it progresses.
The plan includes improvements such as landscaping and decorative walls along Fry Boulevard from Buffalo Soldier Trail to Seventh Street to improve business and residents’ quality of life in the West End. It will be made available to the public at the city’s Web site.
Some changes made to the plan design by McGann & Associates were the removal of pedestrian crossings at intersections without streetlights and addition of two medians for each block, said Daniel Coxworth, a city planner and commission liaison.
Many residents who commented on the plan requested better street lighting at night, he said.
|
|
The commission can still make recommendations on the plan, including prioritizing the different improvements.
Like other city projects, the streetscape plan will probably need to be implemented in phases because of budget restraints, said Councilwoman Hank Huisking.
Huisking said the commission should expect a tighter budget this year because of a decrease in revenues.
Community development will be requesting funding from the City Council for the streetscape plan to leverage more funding, including grants, so the plan is put into action, Coxworth said.
Community groups may also be able to help fund certain aspects of the plan, Huisking said.
The commission also discussed the results of the April West End Block Party and the possible continuation of the annual event.
This year the block party, which was the third annual, had 80 vendors participating, more than its first two years. The event also drew thousands of visitors to the West End, between North Garden and North avenues, and more than the year before, said commissioner Ken McFadden.
Larry McKim, a block party committee member, said he wondered whether it was worth repeating while he worked to make it happen this past year.
“Based on how the event went, I think we should keep it going,” McKim said, although he noted how fundraising was also a challenge for the commission this year. Donations and vendors fees covered the event expenses and advertising, Coxworth said.
More volunteers and delegation of the planning work would also improve the event, said commission chairwoman Amanda Baillie.
The commission decided to set a date in August for the commission and city staff and officials to meet and discuss how they can improve planning for a fourth annual West End Block Party.
The commission also will invite commission applicants to attend their next meeting, 3 p.m. July 9, at Wayland Baptist University, 400 W. Fry Blvd. The commission currently has one vacancy to fill.
Commissioners also said they hoped to discuss the possibility of adding bus service on Fry Boulevard at their next meeting.
herald/review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.
st sierravistan wrote on Jun 16, 2008 6:34 PM: