Neighbors,

The meeting last night was small and frustrating for me. 

What the city proposes to do is continue the paving and sidewalk replacement from Raymond to Huron.  For some reason, Newell, which is practically an extension of Upland at the bend is not currently in the plan/budget to repave.  However, the Newell and side streets there from were represented.  No one from the Huron junction or nearby (Huron is not part of this project either).

The city proposes to put curb extensions on both sides of Upland before the bend at Newell and put in a crosswalk and handicapped curb cuts, with the bumps signally the street is imminent (for visually impaired).  Much of this is required by law now.  Same thing on Upland just before it T’s into Huron.

The frustrating part was the endless discussion about the virtues or evils of the curb extensions.  It really shouldn’t be an issue at either spot, as the roads are one way, and way, way too wide now.  So they would square the corner on the Mass Ave/Huron side of Upland (it is curved off now to make the useless wide bend).  And, of course, those of us, like myself, who turn right on Newell need room to turn, which should still be ok with a width of 20 feet (after the curb extensions).

However, the lady on the corner nearest Huron wants none of the curb extension (not because she is against them)-she wants nothing to change.  Even if they only square the corner off, she did not want it planted (she might have to tend it) or made larger (she might have to shovel  4 more feet).  Never mind that it is a rare opportunity to beautify as well as rationalize that end of Upland, and that could be a large attractively done area for the neighborhood.  It was no to everything.  Except that the new corner space is not just hers.  It belongs to the neighborhood, and could make it much more pleasant, or starkly ugly, with all concrete.

I know for some it is an issue, that while the city will plant it, they ask the neighbors to tend it.  It is usually done in pretty self-sufficient plantings.  I am trying to be creative, thinking a bench, and small bushes, etc. but she wants none of it.  I have tried today to reach Juan Avendano to talk more about getting more neighborhood input (the crowd was thin, most had left before they counted noses, and her voice was the loudest).

I know that with the community garden at Raymond Park, and talking to the rest of the neighbors, someone will be happy to “host” that corner, as I do on my section of Upland.  I am frustrated that in their haste to get the design buttoned up and the street done, the city will blow this opportunity to do it right.

They also propose to move the stop sign on Newell (where it joins Upland, and which no one can see, no one obeys) to Upland (before the bend).  Only issue there is that many want both stop signs.  City won’t do that, I don’t think.  No one seems to be bothered by a stop sign on Upland, which is logical as it joins a through street at a T.

This is the pull & tug every street, every project faces.

More than you wanted to know, but if you know folks up that way, would you introduce me?

Ruth