Attendees: Sandra Swaile, DPD; Ed Barry, Boott Cotton Mills; Brown Miller, Boott Cotton Mills; Manya Callahan, Barnes and Noble Bookstore; Father John Cox, St. Joseph the Worker Shrine; Bill Lipchitz, Center City Committee; Mark Goldman, Center City Committee; Garner Warr, Pennoni Associates; Deborah Belanger, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau
Matthew Higgins, Downtown Plan Project Manager, opened the meeting by stating that Pennoni Associates had been hired to conduct a traffic study of the Downtown. Mr. Higgins introduced Gardner Warr, representing Pennoni Associates.
Mr. Warr presented an overview of the Downtown Traffic Study project. The study will make recommendations for Downtown traffic improvements in the form traffic signal timing/phasing; pedestrian facility implementation/improvements; lane configuration modifications; roadway directional modifications (1 way vs. 2 way) and improvement of corner radii for turning vehicles. Mr. Warr stated that Pennoni began traffic data collection for the study on October 11, 2000, and would be resuming data collection on October 13, 2000. Data collection would continue for several weeks. Pennoni and the City will be holding a series of public meetings regarding traffic once data collection is complete.
Mr. Higgins and Mr. Warr opened up the meeting to hear the comments and concerns that CAC members had regarding traffic in the Downtown. The following comments were made:
· Downtown traffic is particularly bad when there are events at the Tsongas Arena and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. CAC members recommended that Pennoni collect data during an evening when an event is in session at the Auditorium or Arena.
· The Lowell High School creates the worst traffic congestion in the Downtown. Between 2 PM and 3 PM, it is extremely difficult to navigate the Downtown or to avoid being stuck in traffic. Merrimack Street, Kirk Street and Father Morisette Boulevard were noted to be particularly bad during these times.
· Certain areas just outside of the Downtown were noted to have a dramatic impact on the flow of traffic in the Downtown. In particular, the intersections of Pawtucket Boulevard and Bridge Street and the Lord Overpass were considered to have a significant effect on Downtown traffic.
· Side streets that have less impact on traffic (i.e. Kirk and Lee Streets) should be made two-way in order to reduce circular flow throughout the Downtown.
· CAC members stated that they would like to know the amount of and impact of "cut-through" traffic in the Downtown. Many commuters and trucks travel through Downtown in various commuter patterns, adding to the heavy traffic to the Downtown.
· One way traffic patterns in the Downtown ease flow, but also make Downtown streets into speedways. Traffic traveling at a high rate of speed throughout the Downtown is a major concern.
· CAC members stated that they would not like to see any change in traffic flow that would eliminate on-street parking. Many businesses and their customers are extremely tied to the presence of on-street parking near their businesses. Customers do not generally use available parking garages.
· CAC members suggested that the number of cars going in and out of the garages should be counted. Mr. Higgins stated that DPD would conduct this analysis, since this task is outside of the purview of the traffic study.
· Additional signage is needed to reinforce the location of Downtown parking garages. Many visitors to the Downtown are unaware of the location of garages in the Downtown.
· LRTA's new trolley-bus schedule and plans should be coordinated into the traffic study. Better linkages should be created between the Downtown and intermodal transportation nodes (i.e. Gallagher Terminal).
Mr. Higgins closed the meeting by presenting an overview of timeline for the completion of the Downtown Plan. A copy of this schedule has been attached.
The next meeting of the Downtown Plan CAC has been scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 6:00 PM in the Arthur Hammar Conference Room (formerly DPD Conference Room) at the JFK Civic Center - 2nd Floor. Preliminary recommendations for the Downtown will be presented at this meeting.
Send questions and comments to:
Thomas Galligani, Downtown Plan Project Manager
Division of Planning and Development
J.F.K. Civic Center
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell MA 01852
(978) 970-4276
tgalliga@ci.lowell.ma.us
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