Transportation Meeting Notes: September 13, 2018
Our meeting began with an amazing, thorough presentation by neighbor, architect, and masonry expert Diane Travis on how flagstone sidewalks can and should be maintained. In the face of the Sidewalk Repair program that, despite its benefits, threatens to cause the widespread loss of historic sandstone sidewalks, Diane wants to let people know that they can preserve and repair, rather than replace — and in fact, fixing can be more cost-effective than replacing. However, Diane had some specific and pointed feedback on the impossible timeframes imposed by the Sidewalk Repair Program for those looking to maintain and repair historic sidewalks, which we hope City Council and Public Works will take seriously.
Diane recently held an event at her house with three contractor groups demonstrating three different techniques: re-leveling stones that had become uneven due to tree roots (while maintaining the tree roots for the tree’s health), foam-jacking a very large slab to re-level it, and replacing broken stones. These demonstrations were made into a short video, helpful narrative PDFs, and advice (including recommended resources) from Diane, hosted at WalkDenver and at Historic Denver. Diane’s slides as presented to INC are also available, along with her contractor reference sheet.
Next, we were treated to an extremely fast-paced and fun review of the five years Geneva Hooten served as Co-Chair of the INC Transportation Committee. In a 20-minute whirlwind, we were reminded of the great diversity of topics that have come to the committee, the impressive array of speakers we’ve hosted, and the progress that has been made on many fronts.
Did you remember the INC Transportation Committee hardhat tour of Civic Center Station? Or the behind-the scenes tours of the traffic operations center? How about the book club we co-hosted with Transit Alliance, reading Jarrett Walker’s Human Transit?
The rate of change in transportation options has been remarkable, but it can take this type of thoughtful review for us to really realize it. In just over five years, Denver’s seen in the introduction of Uber and Lyft transportation network companies, one of the very first car share permit programs in the country, the creation of statewide Bustang service, the introduction of protected bike lanes, and the appearance of dockless bike- and scooter-share. During Geneva’s time in leadership, our committee has hosted 83 speakers on timely and important topics, keeping neighborhoods informed and “at the table” in a time of great change.
At the same time, INC and its allies have been leading the way in insisting that we make our streets safer, forming the Vision Zero Coalition and having the city respond with the adoption of the Vision Zero goal of zero road deaths and serious injuries, and with the creation of the Vision Zero Action Plan. The work to implement the plan will be significant, but lives are truly on the line.
Thank you, Geneva, for five years of dedicated work for the committee and work in our neighborhoods! As she turns her focus to graduate studies, she called on us to “Stay engaged, keep showing up, keep moving us forward.”
Thanks for the great notes!