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Second West Needs Sidewalks

Click to see original imageWhen the northward widening and improvement of Provo’s Second West Street was planned. the prime objective was a traffic artery that would move cars with safety and dispatch. Obviously there wasn’t much immediate concern about sidewalks, understandable because there were rvery few businesses along the street north of 1230 North. Things have changed. Eating houses, a complex of apartments north of the BYU Diagonal, a new Job Service office, and miscellaneous other enterprises have been erected. Now, gradually – increasing foot traffic and sparseness of sidewalks amounts to a sizable hazard – the site of a serious accident waiting to happen. The newest phase of the commendable Second West improvement has extended curb – to – curb surfacing all the way to 2230 North. But there are no sidewalks north of the apartments complex. Neither are there walks at several intervals between 1230 North and the Diagonal, notably the stretches fronting the military reserve property, the telephone company, and some businesses. Provo City has been requiring new establishments to build a sidewalk along their properties. For example. Job Service. Arctic Circle and the apartment complexes near 1230 North and north of the Diagonal. It isn’t uncommon to see pedestrians stepping from the interrupted sidewalk onto the busy highway between bursts of traffic, then back over the curb onto lawn grass, rocky pathways and even mud when cars come bearing down. One of the danger spots fronts the undeveloped triangle of land between the Diagonal intersection and the new apartments. For lack of a suitable pathway. many student pedestrians walk to and from their apartments on the driving surface. lt’s time for those concerned to consider the various options for making the sidewalk continuous for safety’s sake as well as convenience. Here are some possibilities: – A special improvement district, possible with substantial property owner support under which the abutting owners would have 10 years to pay the cost. – Direct contract in which businesses and property owners would acquire their own building permit and jointly contract the work, with oversight from Provo City. – A modification of present policy under which each business or owner would proceed on his own to front his property with sidewalk, as current developers are expected to do. The city also should check the possibility of diverting some funds from a federal block grant although a city source says the rules probably would prohibit this unless a property owner’s financial status is at the assistance level. The Herald urges the new city administration to inspect north Second West, evaluate the sidewalk need against the piecemeal and sporadic development, and take the initiative to coordinate and complete the program.