Re: The Ave Plan (fwd)
P. Myers (mpwr@u.washington.edu)
Fri, 16 Jan 1998 10:16:37 -0800 (PST)
this is my response, followed by the paragraphs that sparked it. As I
reread, I want to add to it, darn it! But writing in anger often misses
key components. Pat Myers
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 08:39:33 -0800 (PST)
From: "P. Myers" <mpwr@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: The Ave Plan
Frankly, I was initially interested in attending, *until the remark about
no benches to discourage "street youth" and homeless from "loitering." was
made. I am now discouraged, depressed and frankly, very angry, with such
casual disregard for the poorest of the poor.
My daughter coordinates a shelter in the U District, and has many years
working with and lobbying for the rights of homeless and homeless youth.
I have been homeless, and I promise you, the "improvements" of removable
chairs is simply callous disregard for a group of people who are not very
different than you or I, simply folks without access to, most importantly,
the public perception of normalcy, not to mention, simple, necessary
access to restrooms, places to shower and launder or obtain clean
clothing, sleep without "one eye open," etc.
Think about those newspapers stacked in a doorway as you pass a
business... that might have been, rather than litter, someone's pillow.
There is *not enough shelter space to go around, friends, and now we
consider the punitive, reactive, elitist response of removing benches so
that "loitering" (can you not understand this as *resting?!) does not
occur.
I have no idea whether I will be in attendance at this meeting, but I
would hope to find some degree of compassion there, severely lacking in
the message below.
Please. While you beautify the Ave. and make it more accessible to
walkers, remember those who *must walk, and walk, and sleep in the very
places you are attempting to improve...consider how your improvements
might include *their needs, as well.
Pat Myers
(my response above was occasioned by the [liberally snipped] notice
below:)
***********************************************************************
On Fri, 16 Jan 1998 (author's name omitted) wrote:
> Hello,
>
> There is currently a plan in the works to improve the Ave. Unfortunately,
> not very many, if any, students, faculty, or staff have had input into the
> current proposal. If you have an opinion on what you think should be done
> with both the Ave and the U-district branch of the light rail, please
> reply to this message so that we can set up a meeting for later this
> month, or simply to say that you are interested in supporting a
> student/faculty/staff voice in this matter. At the meeting we will work on
> deciding what characteristics we would like the Ave to have, and what we
> will do in order to have our ideas considered.
>
> Corners would be widened in some places. Also, a more
> distinctive set of street lights would be put into place. No benches would
> be put in the newly widened bus-stop areas in order to discourage street
> youth and homeless people from loitering there--any outdoor seating would
> be movable chairs controlled by the businesses.
>
>
> (the source for this information is "The Ave Street Design Plan" (August,
> 1997) Prepared by MAKERS architecture and urban design for The Ave
> Planning Group. A copy of this publication is available at the Center
> for Urban Ecology, which is at the north end of the Ave -- 5619 Univ. Way
> NE)
>
> I believe that these changes to the Ave would create a more pleasant
> environment for pedestrians and mass-transit users and a more profitable
> situation for businesses than would the changes specified in the current
> plan. More people would come to shop in a car-free area which is easily
> accessible by light rail and by a large number of pedestrian students,
> faculty, and staff. Also, additional tax- and profit-generating activity
> could occur on the now car-free street, such as purchases from cart
> vendors and outdoor cafes. And buildings could extend further into the
> street over arcades (covered walkways). Such an environment would, I hope,
> encourage people to be pedestrians and discourage them from using private
> cars.
>
> I hope to influence the University District to become more a place for
> people and less a place for cars. However, my first priority is to ensure
> that there is student, faculty, and staff input into the Ave plan. If you
> like the Ave with cars, or without, come to the meeting and say so, and
> bring your friends.
>
(author's name omitted--friends, of course, refers to other grad
students.)
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