The city has a plan to reduce North Wenatchee Avenue between Fifth and Miller streets from four traffic lanes to two, to make room for bike lanes and landscaping. Do you support the plan?
Yes 128 votes
No 918 votes
Need more information 84 votes
1130 total votes
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davebugg 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Just when ya think Wenatchee bureaucrats couldn't screw things up more than they already have... (shaking head)
"Stupid is as stupid does."
H 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Does anyone really think those bureaucrats will listen to the people they are supposed to be employed by? Personally I don't think they can pull their heads out of the sand (or non-mentionable body part) long enough to hear what we have to say on the matter. As in most things, they believe they know whats good for us and will justify it any way they can.
JimboBear 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Spot on Harold!
lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago
if history is any indication of how well the city listens or even cares about what the taxpayers have to say (think WEA) then we are doomed to more congested traffic while bicyclists and butterflies have more room to play. This is the most insane idea to waste tax money and destroy the already over burdened road system in wenatchee the city has come up with in well over a month.
Magoo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"This is the most insane idea to waste tax money and destroy the already over burdened road system in wenatchee the city has come up with in well over a month."
Now that's the perfect comment! ! !
Way to go, lonedog3!
georgiabell 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I too agree it is an insane idea. I'd like more information on where the money is coming from to pay for such changes. I know money comes from different pots, but personally I'd rather hire another police officer than spend money to satisfy a few ecocoms.
SorenK 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I'll wait for more information because I can't believe on either side of the environmental divide that anyone can otherwise come up with an idea so stupid and insane at the same time...until bicyclists in this town learn the rules of the road, I want to keep them as far away from my car as possible
kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago
And until car drivers in this town learn the rules of the road I'd prefer to keep them as far away from my bike as possible.
SorenK 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Can't agree with you more...speaking from practical experience, bicyclists need to be held to the same standards as car drivers. I've lived in very bicycle oriented towns, and the only way cars and bikes get along is if the police issue citations for moving violations as readily to bikes as they are to cars. I've had several close calls with bikes running stop signs, which in more bike aware towns is a ticket for the cyclists.
NLC 3 months, 2 weeks ago
This is proof that the City of Wenatchee Planning Department that came up with this idea has way too many employees. A cut back here might leave more money for Public Safety, where it is needed.
joanne 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Look at Leavenworth and learn, Wenatchee. Sure, our town is a bit "cuter" - at the expense of parking and driving. Even CMC gave up parking for patients for the sake of landscaping, walks and the like. I know using common sense has pretty much gone out of style, but I think it's time to bring it back.
mwholcomb 3 months, 2 weeks ago
My late husband was an avid biker, but almost never used Wenatchee Ave. Downtown is difficult enough to navigate via auto, or park, as it is; please do NOT do this...
novarama 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I would like more information about this idea in general, rather than a one sentence blurb. I do support the idea of bike lanes; it is just hard to imagine that it is a good idea to reduce the lanes for vehicles by half on a major arterial. That being said, I would love to see LOTS of bike lanes. Bikes are a means of transportation and would be utilized more if it were safer to do so in Wenatchee. A little landscaping wouldn't hurt either... North Wenatchee is the gateway to our community.
JimboBear 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I am totally amazed that there are actually nearly 14% of the respondents to this poll who think the plan is a good idea. Did you folks perhaps misread the story? Would you care to explain just how you feel this plan would benefit the majority of the people who use the Avenue for any reason and the community in general? I'm dying to hear what you are thinking.
Taxguru 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Choke the traffic before getting to the Center...?
I hope this is some kind of joke..!!!
kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I have an idea! How about if we DON'T do this and save everybody a LOT of tax dollars?
No? Oh, that's right....government doesn't think that way.
Sheesh....what was I thinking?
dottier23 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Kyook, my thought's exactly! Seems just recently the city was really short of money??? I wonder, have the money "managers" ever thought of not spending the money if it is not needed, instead of coming up with insane ideas as they have for Wenatchee Ave? I guess the "save for a rainy day" no longer exists. I have lived in the area for about 6 years, and live about 3 blocks from the area in question. When I go out to shop, it's a real "take your life in your own hands" situation getting out of the little mall across from Albertson's onto Wenatchee Ave.! My suggestion for the "excess money", would be either to save it or use it to fix the most used roads needing repair.
kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago
What I don't understand is that these proposed bike lanes seem to be bike lanes to nowhere. I mean, after riding in these new bike lanes for the proposed .81 of a mile the lanes disappear and bike riders are right back to riding in traffic again. So, what this proposal amounts to is a little tiny island of a bike lane in a sea of a city that needs to develop a genuinely comprehensive system.
The city has been very publc about some serious financial issues of late and we all know that the feds are having some serious issues as well. So, why spend money on these frivilous, non-essential projects?
I always giggle when they talk about "grant money" as if they just went out and plucked it off the money tree. Why can't they be honest and just come out and say it comes from our TAXES?
JimboBear 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"Why can't they be honest and just come out and say it comes from our TAXES?"
Kyook, surely you jest! When was the last time you saw or even heard of a politician at any level who could always be trusted to be open and honest? I wouldn't take ANY politicians word for anything until what he/she promised was delivered and even then I'd be looking carefully for the strings they had most probably attached.
DWalsh 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Wow! From the City that brought us the budget nightmare that is the Toyota City Center, now the great Avenue Bottleneck Nightmare!
I'd really like to know the names of the totally out of touch folks in local government who support this ridiculous idea. And, yes, it is a totally ridiculous idea. The definition of ridiculous is to bring ridicule upon one's self, and this certainly is worthy for those considering.
Key points that I find outrageous:
Over $200K would be required from the city in matching funds. And just where would these come from, when the city is laying off folks and cutting benefits because of budget issues?
Over $900K from a grant- where is this coming from? How can a state that is upside down be coming up with money for this? And why?
And the most obvious- why would anyone waste time on this? I can't think of one reason a business owner in that stretch of the Avenue would be for it. Those folks depend upon motor traffic flow that is clear for their livelihood- not bikes.
Really, please, put names to this nonsense. These folks need their butts out of whatever positions they are in as soon as possible. If they are willing to waste time and money on this, what else is next?
maxpress 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I think it will reduce alot of traffic. People that want to shop or eat will go to east Wenatchee or elsewhere. That will make that area look like the strech between palouse and second street. With the reduced traffic buissnes will downsize or fold. That will put people out of jobs. With a small amount of employees and noone patronizing then it will just be through traffic. WOW! Great plan.
Rebelrouser 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I attended the meeting tonight at PUD. I must say I was disappointed at the turn out and more so at the voting. I counted a total of 41 vote stickers on the board. 20 wanted the project to go forward and 19 wanted the Ave left like it is. One sticker was placed half for and half against. I was told about 80 people attended the meeting. So sad to have such a low turn out but even worse only half the attendee's voted their opinion, for something that will impact thousands every day if the city reduces the traffic lanes. I am happy to see here that lot more people are involved in voting for or against. Time will only tell if the City officials listen to the majority here.
Magoo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Perhaps the reason that the turnout for this meeting was so low is because it was announced that very same day in the Wenatchee World newspaper. Thanks for the timely announcement Wenatchee World!
Don 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I posted this on the original article. I can also say this paper had reporters at tonight's meeting, so there will likely be a follow-up piece in tomorrow's edition.
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I attended the meeting at the PUD this evening, and a lot of the things being touted as fact here are simply not true.
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They are proposing taking four lanes down to two, and that is about where the truth ends.
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This section of road is in need of repair, and most of the money being spent on that repair is going to get spent no matter what for the resurfacing as well as the utility repairs beneath the street. After that is all done it is a matter of how they are going to paint the lines, which is a trivial component of the project's cost.
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They can choose to paint the lines back the way they are, or they may choose to add some road-side parking and bike lanes. I made a point to drive that section of road, just after 5:00, during 'rush' hour, to see just how busy it is, and that section of road is not congested or busy in any way, shape, or form. Comparing it to congested intersections in S Wenatchee is a complete red herring. Whether it was two lanes in each direction, or just one, it wouldn't make any difference to the traffic flow in that area.
FootballNut 3 months, 2 weeks ago
and let's keep it that way by leaving it with 2 lanes in each direction.
LokelYokel 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I support the planning department's vision, and think they are doing a great job implementing it. I have a hard time believing that this change is going to have the negative implications stated in this thread for the basic reason that Wenatchee Ave is already two lanes just down the street.
Magoo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Yeah.......and just look at how well THAT traffic flows. I especially enjoy the stretch of roadway in the old town section of S. Wenatchee Ave. So much available parking, so easy to back out of a parking space!
FootballNut 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Yeah, the part I drive around to avoid. I come off the bridge and exit onto Wenatchee Ave and drive north as far as Kittitas. You know that part where it goes to two lanes and is backed up? Duh! I then go down to Columbia and hang a left and go behind the PAC and come out on 2nd and hang a right on Wenatchee Ave where it's not backed up because it's FOUR LANES AGAIN!. and now they want to make that stretch two lanes as well?! Idiots!
Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago
The city couldn't care less about "lost tax revenue" lost business in that section will simply go to other business in areas without a choke point, same thing with lost employment. Hopefully the nearly total rebuke on this site and calls to the city will alter their plans.
Dave 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Remember that their motto is "fix it until it's broke" A few years ago at a meeting about roads in East Wenatchee, this group was bragging about what they did on Orchard street in Wenatchee. The citizens did not want a bicycle lane, so the city sold it as a "snow removal" or "snow storage" lane. Which in the summer becomes a bicycle lane. It was to late to change it then. That is how they work.
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