Group audits Maplewood’s walkability/livability

The Livable and Walkable Communities Institute (LWCI) helps cities be more pedestrian-focused. Last week a representative of the group led a walk/audit through  part of downtown Maplewood, stopping occasionally along the way to discuss (and audit) the good and not so good points of each.

Led by Robert Ping of the LWCI, about two dozen walked east on Manchester Road from city hall to Sutton Boulevard, south on Sutton to Hazel, east on Hazel to Big Bend, north on Big Bend to Manchester, west on Manchester to Bredell, then back to city hall.

Maplewood City Manager Marty Corcoran and Ward 3 Councilman Barry Greenberg, and representatives of Citizens for Modern Transit, the Coro Fellowship, AARP and others were among the group.

A grant through the AARP paid for the audit. Maplewood was chosen because of Greenberg’s work with the AARP to improve life for seniors in Maplewood.

As part of the audit, the LWCI will take a picture of one street/intersection, then add elements to the photo that could improve the walkability/livability — they call it a photo visualization. Maplewood will have ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of the area.

They didn’t disclose what area will get the photo visualization, other than to say it might be an intersection that the city might find a challenge.

Alderman Greenberg said after the walk he might like to see some traffic calming elements on southbound Big Bend between Rannells and Manchester — cars fast down the hill to try to make the green light.

Points were made along the walk. Here are a few:

• Sidewalk on Manchester is a little under five feet wide — six feet is better because it allows two wheel chairs or strollers to pass
• Better lighting, trees for shade would improve the bus stop on Manchester and Big Bend
• Traffic moves very fast on Manchester Road by bus stop— no buffer zone of grass between sidewalk and traffic
• Snow on sidewalks — the city removes snow on city property, business owners are responsible for their sidewalks
• The larger the curb radius at a corner the faster a car can take the turn — especially dangerous for pedestrians at right on red
• At Dobbs Tire — no barrier between parking lot and sidewalk — not a comfortable place to walk
• Manchester and Sutton is the most complained about intersection in the city by adults — right turn on red cars don’t yield to pedestrians
• More, interesting businesses bring more pedestrians, which brings more businesses
• Business up to the sidewalk is better than a large parking lot between the sidewalk and business
• Windows facing a sidewalk are better than bricks because it creates a ‘natural surveillance’ of the sidewalk
• Stores along the north side of the 7300 block of Manchester would create more pedestrian-friendly businesses in downtown — could try it out with food truck events. Shop n’ Save would benefit financially to have buildings rather than a larger parting lot
• Smaller parking lots bring businesses closer to the road and encourages alternative means of transportation
• Hazel and Sutton intersection — “love it” —  park, trees, residences nearby, good lighting, interesting businesses

  

• Hazel and Big Bend intersection — grass between the sidewalk and Big Bend is good, though it’s there to facilitate a right turn lane if needed in the future
• Large parking lot between Tim Hortons and street — businesses like it because it emphasizes the cars, but not optimal for pedestrians
• A city has to have the confidence to tell a business, this is our model — if a business doesn’t want it, it’s not the right business for the city — another one will come that agrees to it
• Bredell and Manchester — the area isn’t pleasant to walk in — wide drives into businesses turn into ‘race tracks’
• A cut-through for pedestrians coming from the east would be nice at Aldi