Cheers and Fears: A new idea and a crosswalk

This is the first segment in a recurring themed blog post series. For any given current issue, I'll summarize what the need or concern is, with the pros and cons related to it, in as objective and calm a manner as possible, in straightforward language. Comments will be open and there will be a poll at the end. If I end up with an opinion, I'll be frank about it being my own opinion and will be open to having it changed as new information comes available.

To begin with, I'm starting with something that reflects the thing that is nearest and dearest to my heart, and is actually at the root of why I began the crusade to run for Belfast City Council: pedestrian issues on the East Side.

I've been working on asking individuals and business owners on our side of town what their needs are and what they'd like to see their representative in Council focus on and advocate for. So imagine how much my eyes lit up when the owner of the relatively new 1 Mill, at the corner of where Mill Lane meets Route 1, reported that he would really like a crosswalk from his business to the other side of Route 1.

The issue: people on the east side walk to the Big Apple and 1 Mill on the East Side, and many come from the southeast side of Route 1, near the footbridge. It is unsafe to cross Route 1 in that spot, and the closest crosswalk requires backtracking to the intersection of Route 1 and 141 (Swan Lake Ave) which is already a dangerous crosswalk, because cars come flying across the bridge well above the speed limit and often see the flashing pedestrian alert only as they pass it.

Crosswalk Cheers

Crosswalk Fears

·      Encourages additional business for both 1 Mill and the Big Apple ·      The state of Maine has recognized medical marijuana as a legitimate treatment for a variety of health issues, many of which make driving difficult (and thus many patients are pedestrians); as such, a crosswalk would accommodate afflicted individuals ·      The speed limit at that point on Route 1 is within the acceptable speed range for crosswalks and other traffic-calming measures ·      Painting a crosswalk is cheap, at approximately $7 per square foot it’s a reasonable request ·      A flashing pedestrian alert sign placement is also relatively inexpensive and can utilize solar power.

·      May increase foot traffic on Mill Lane ·      Mill Lane is not safe for pedestrians as it is, and increased foot traffic means increased risk of harm ·      Medical marijuana users continue to face a negative stigma, and thus there is a homeowner fear that increased foot traffic of patrons of 1 Mill, a medical marijuana dispensary, will be more likely to commit vandalism or other things that drive house values down ·      May clog traffic further and make it more challenging to make a left out of either Mill Lane or Swan Lake Avenue

My personal conclusion: CHEER!

But what do YOU think? Take the poll and comment to tell me about it!