It's looking like W. 29th Street may look considerably different in Uptown if the city can find added money to make that happen.
Council Member Lisa Bender has focused attention on a potholed six-block section of the side street one block north of Lake Street, and the city has $750,000 set aside in 2016 to start work.
But the design liked best by area residents likely could cost closer to $2 million.
That's because the top option among about 30 people attending a presentation of design alternatives was a woonerf. That's a traffic-calming street, popular in parts of Europe, that uses street obstacles such as curbing, planters or throating to discourage and slow traffic. They're considered pedestrian-friendly.
Creating a one-way street without parking got almost no support, but there was more liking for a one-way with parking, especially in the westernmost blocks of 29th west of Colfax Avenue. But the woonerf option got the biggest support, especially if it encourages active street life.
Creating a woonerf will involve more curbing than other options, plus outlays for other appurtenances to slow traffic. One option discussed was flexible use of the street in which obstacles like planters could be rolled in during period when activities such as a farmers' market or street fair are planned, but also be moved to allow more car access.
But creation of more amenities will also require more money and neighborhood buy-in to help program the space, cautioned Don Pflaum, a transportation planner. That could entail seeking outside grants for alternative transportation projects. Lighting and curbs would be assessed.
Bender said the design preference of the crowd reinforces the area's interest in a flexible street. "Now we have to figure out how to make that happen," she added.
The section under discussion exempts the block between Dupont and Emerson avenues because that's been vacated for use by the Cub grocery store.
(Photo above: One example of a woonerf in Trondheim, Norway.)
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