Posts tagged closure
Boulder wavering on unpopular closure rules for public property?
Dec 27th
City to hold public hearing on proposed park closure rule Jan. 3
The City of Boulder will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that would close parks, parkways, recreation areas and open spaces from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. The hearing will occur during the already scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. The meeting is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and will be held in Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway.
The public hearing will give community members an additional opportunity to express their views about the proposed rule. The hearing also will provide a forum for council members to ask questions of the city manager and city attorney and provide some direction in light of feedback they have received from their constituents.
The city manager proposed the nighttime closure rule on Dec. 16 because of increasing concerns about safety and health risks associated with encampments and other activities that occur in these locations after dark. The rule would not apply to individuals passing through the affected areas on foot or bicycle – or to events that have been approved through the city’s permitting process. Nor would it prohibit lawful activity, including constitutionally protected activity and political protests, during the remaining 18 hours of the day, between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Unlike most public hearings, council is not currently considering an ordinance related to park closures. The discussion that occurs, however, is likely to shape the city manager’s decision about how to proceed with the rule she has proposed under authority granted to her by Boulder Revised Code.
The decision to hold a public hearing was made today during a Council Agenda Committee meeting. The Council Agenda Committee includes city staff and three council members who look ahead to upcoming meeting agendas and determine how to make the sessions as efficient and productive as possible. Committee participants agreed that a public hearing would result in a more focused discussion, allowing for council questions to be informed by public comment and a staff presentation.
“We recognize that this is an important decision for our community, and the committee felt that this additional opportunity for public input would be valuable,” City Manager Jane S. Brautigam said. “I am looking forward to hearing the perspectives of community members and City Council as we work together to address important health and safety issues.”
In addition to the public hearing, the city has been collecting written comments as part of a 15-day public comment period. Written comments are being accepted by email at parksclosurerule@bouldercolorado.gov or by US mail at Parks Closure Rule, City of Boulder Box 791, Boulder, CO, 80306, until 5 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2012.
And more nightmares on Boulder streets
Nov 14th
Construction on Broadway to begin Wednesday
Starting on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, the Broadway (Euclid to 18th) Transportation Improvements Project will begin construction. The project, previously on hold for federal historic and environmental clearances, was put out for a competitive bid process and a contractor was chosen in late September. The construction along Broadway is expected to take approximately nine months to complete and will be finished by fall 2012.
In general, traffic impacts for fall/winter 2011 include:
- Daytime off-peak lane closures on Broadway, Euclid, and 16th Streets;
- Detours along the Broadway multi-use path near Euclid Avenue; and
- Closures of the northbound bus stop near Euclid Avenue.
- Opening a temporary southbound Broadway left lane at 18th Street
Beginning in late 2011/early 2012, full-time lane reductions on Broadway (from two thru lanes in each direction to one thru lane in each direction) and closure of the cross-streets (16th and Euclid) will be necessary to construct the underpass beneath Broadway. For weekly traffic updates, visitwww.boulderconezones.net.
For those traveling through the city, alternate routes are advised. For those traveling on Broadway, alternative modes like walking, biking and taking the bus are good options. Otherwise, please travel slowly and use caution in construction zones.
Remaining project improvements include:
- Construction of a pedestrian/bicycle underpass beneath Broadway at 16th/Euclid;
- Expansion of the northbound and southbound transit stops with additional transit amenities;
- Changing the existing Broadway/Euclid/16th four-way intersection into two “T” intersections;
- Broadway multi-use path improvements; and
- Functional art, urban design, landscaping/irrigation lighting improvements.
Improvements to the Broadway and 18th Street intersection were completed in summer 2011. The newly configured intersection is currently open to traffic, and provides the main vehicular access point from this part of campus to southbound Broadway.
The local match for this project was composed of funding from five agencies: City of Boulder, Boulder County, RTD, CU – including land donation and funding from University of Colorado Student Union and Vice Chancellor for Administration.
For more project information, visit www.bouldertransportation.net>Projects>Broadway (Euclid to 18th) Improvements Project or contact Noreen Walsh at 303-441-3266
Boulder traffic nightmares to continue
Nov 14th
Pearl Parkway closed for railroad crossing rehabilitation
From 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, Pearl Parkway, between 30th Street and Frontier Avenue, will be closed in both directions for work on the railroad crossing. This closure will include the multi-use path along the south side of Pearl Parkway. Access to local businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
During construction, motorists will be detoured to Arapahoe and Valmont roads, and cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured north to the Goose Creek path. Detours will be posted, and alternate routes are advised. The RTD route 206 will be detoured onto Valmont Road between 30th Street and Foothills Parkway. Transit stops in the area will be closed and bus passengers on the 206 will encounter delays.
Crews from BNSF Railway will be working to restore the entire railroad crossing on Pearl Parkway. The project will include the complete replacement of rails and ties, installation of new concrete crossing panels, and restoration of the roadway and multi-use path approaches. The work schedule is weather-dependent and closure dates and times are subject to change.
Questions about the closure may be directed to David Neubauer of BNSF Railway at 307-432-7363. For more information, contact Alex May, Transportation Project Manager at 303-441-3266 or visit www.boulderconezones.net.
