Alameda Partial Lane Repurposing Redesign
The Washington Park East Neighborhood Association (WPENA) Board has unanimously agreed
that the RNO opposes the Alameda “Partial Lane Repurposing” Redesign and urges the City and
DOTI to implement the original “Alameda Full Lane Repurposing Plan”.
WPENA has adopted this position for the following reasons:
1. WPENA conducted a survey and received 295 responses. The majority of the responders favored the original Alameda Full Lane Repurposing Plan and supportedWPENA opposing the recently announced redesign. Our residents’ voices matter, and the RNO advocates on behalf of our residents.
2. On principle, WPENA opposes the lack of transparency surrounding DOTI’s abrupt announcement that it was reversing its decision to implement the original Alameda FullLane repurposing. The original Alameda Full Lane Repurposing Plan was the product of a five-year community process that included multiple and extensive opportunities for community engagement. DOTI announced that the design was final and would be implemented. To the surprise of elected officials and engaged community members,DOTI announced that it would instead do a redesign. The lack of community input on the proposed redesign is inconsistent with established DOTI and City standards. The lack of transparency and the abrupt reversal was preceded by the engagement of an influential resident who objected to the Alameda Full Lane Repurposing Plan and who retained a lobbyist who lobbied the City to reverse its final design. The perception that influential residents and lobbyists can override a lengthy established process supported by 1,100 WWPNA petition signers who live in the impacted community, the DOTIAdvisory Board, Mayor Pedestrian Advisory Committee and eight City Council members is deeply disturbing to the Board.
3. On principle, WPENA objects to the redesign which provides less safety features than the Alameda Full Lane Repurposing Plan and is more expensive in a time of budget constraints. Alameda is one of the most dangerous streets in Denver and there is an average of 51 crashes per year on Alameda which poses a real and significant danger to human life and to property owners. The safety of Denver residents should be the top priority of DOTI and the City.
