Shoal Creek Frankencurbs Could Multiply, Mutate
Despite being slated for removal by City Council in September, the city may actually build them some new friends
By Daniel Mottola, Fri., Dec. 16, 2005
On the recent poll questionnaire, many people indicated that the more than $500,000 already spent on Shoal Creek is enough. Public Works Director Sondra Creighton expressed reservations about departing from council's directive to remove the islands, questioning McCracken's ongoing work with a small stakeholder group including some of the same folks who fostered the Frankencurbs since her staff was nearly lynched by neighbors for implementing the group's last decision. Council Member Lee Leffingwell, a fellow subcommittee member, said he was skeptical of some of the pilot options, especially more curb islands, which he thought were off the table. Leffingwell said he would normally go with staff's recommendation, but when the issue is revisited in January, he said, "Frankly, my inclination is to go with the least expensive option and leave the striping as is." Asked about some observers' belief that council is again catering to a vocal minority in the neighborhood, Leffingwell said, "Ultimately, the responsibility of city government staff should be safety and efficiency. Neighborhood input should be represented, but not the final word."
Commuting cyclists still want a safe bike facility on the popular north/south route. Bike advocates demanding car-free bike lanes have long clashed with a handful of residents who are unwilling to give up on-street parking in front of their homes. Cyclist and Shoal Creek Boulevard resident Lane Wimberley said, "I think safety for the users of SCB should take precedence and I think that the experts who have now repeatedly presented to the City Council have confirmed that allowing parking in bike facilities should not be considered safe. The boulevard, like all streets, is primarily for transportation, and cycling is a fully legitimate form of transportation that deserves safe facilities."
For more info, see "Sayonara Shoal Creek Frankencurbs," Sept. 23, and www.cityofaustin.org/publicworks/shoalcreek.
Got something to say on the subject? Send a letter to the editor.