ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending Schedule ‘N’ of Chapter 28 of the CODE of the City of Peoria by Designating the 1700 and 1800 Blocks of FREDONIA AVENUE (Between Cooper Street and Western Avenue) a One-Way Street in TRAFFIC SCHEDULE “N”.
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BACKGROUND: The City of Peoria has received a request from the Moss Bradley Residential Association to change the character of the 1700 and 1800 blocks of West Fredonia Avenue. Currently, Fredonia is one-way heading west in the 1400 through 1600 blocks, but switches to two-way in the 1700 block. During the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods for Whittier School, the neighborhood experiences traffic congestion and confusion in this area, which is exacerbated by additional traffic entering the neighborhood from the west from Western Avenue. To improve this situation and make Fredonia Avenue more understandable in its entirety, the neighborhood requested that the 1700 and 1800 blocks also be converted to one-way operation.
The proposed change will permanently convert the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Fredonia Avenue into a one-way street heading west. This change will make the traffic in on Fredonia Avenue consistent and easier to understand for motorist and will provide safer crossings for pedestrian. A location map is attached.
The request was brought before the City Transportation Commission at a meeting on April 19, 2016, and the Commission approved recommending this Ordinance to City Council for adoption. The section of the Minutes of April 19th including this discussion are attached. On May 17th the attached letter was mailed to the residents of the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Fredonia between Cooper and Western.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial impact will be minimal. An estimated $500 to $1000 in material and labor will be required to establish the proper signage for the one-way operation. This expense will come out of existing operating funds.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The Moss Bradley Neighborhood Association, which represents this area, voted to make this recommendation. The request was discussed by the City Transportation Commission at their March 2016 and April 2016 open meetings. The April 2016 meeting was attended by 5 representatives of the neighborhood, who were all in favor of the change.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The 1700 and 1800 blocks of Fredonia Avenue, from Cooper Street to Western Avenue, would be designated a one-way street in Traffic Schedule “N” and will be changed from two-way to one-way operation headed westbound. This will allow Whittier School to better handle the traffic in front of its campus for daily pick up and drop off times. It will also provide better pedestrian safety, because pedestrians will only need to look for traffic in one direction before crossing Fredonia.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The block of Fredonia Avenue from Cooper Street to Western Avenue will remain two-way operation. Traffic and pedestrians will be managed as they have been in the past.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Improve District 150.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
3. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works