Tight budgets mustn’t curb sidewalk safety improvements
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With tight budgets looming purchasing anything new may be the last thing anyone thinks the city can afford to do right now.
While dollars are limited plans shouldn’t be. One plan in the works is for new sidewalks as part of a joint grant request from the City of Ottawa and USD 290 for the Communities in Schools project.
Responses from surveys from USD 290 patrons, online surveys and other methods show a consensus surrounding high priority needs for new sidewalks on Ash Street between Ninth and Eleventh Streets, Willow Street from Ninth to 15th streets, Beech Street from Second to Seventh streets, Davis Avenue from Wilson Street to Logan Street (K-68) and Eleventh Street from Main to Ash streets.
Others making the list include Fifteenth Street from the Rock Creek bridge to Hickory Street, K-68 (Keokuk Street) from Main Street to Forest Park, Logan Street from I-35 to Main Street, Second Street from Ash to Beech streets and 13th Street from Kanza Park to College Street.
Not surprisingly, the most popular places for sidewalks mirror the most used thoroughfares in town.
Respondents also pointed out existing sidewalks in need of repair.
While most people immediately think of the cost to build sidewalks as a barrier, for this broad of an initiative other equally important factors — many of which don’t cost money — make this a realistic goal. The five E’s of this plan are Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering and Evaluation.
A closed checkbook shouldn’t mean planning to remedy some hazardous sidewalk situations that pose real safety concerns also should stop. If you haven’t had your say the city still welcomes your comments on which sidewalks ought to be priorities. Sidewalks aren’t a luxury. They are a matter of public safety, which is priceless.
The Kansas Department of Transportation, the entity approving the grant, obviously supports all modes of transportation. The overall cost to the state is a small price to encourage and facilitate safe walking and bicycling to schools as well as promoting physical activity. Keep in mind, too, that although the grant is directed toward schools the entire community would benefit from more and improved sidewalks.
Sharing the burden of limited dollars makes good financial sense and securing significant cents to fund needed sidewalk construction and repair can take much of the pain out this pedestrian-friendly endeavor.
— Jeanny Sharp, editor and publisher
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