JFK Sidewalks Communicatons from Robert ParkMarch 10, 2007
To the Honorable Mayor, City Council, and City Manager:
This is a copy of an e-mail I attempted to send each of you prior to the Council Meeting
held March 5`". For some unknown reason, no one except Council Member Ric Jones
apparently received that a-mail. Regardless, it appears you share my concern over this
problem that exists along parts of Kennedy Rd. and parts of 32°d St. as you voted 7-0 to
pursue the matter further. I want to thank you for your consideration on this issue. I also
realize you may be confronted with opposition to the idea of improving the safety in
these areas as it will require some expense by the property owners to install sidewalks.
There may be areas that wouldn't require sidewalks on both sides of the street but people
have a right to at least one safe pathway in these residential areas along such busy streets.
Not only is safety a concern in this matter but liability on behalf of the City as well as the
individual property owners comes into play if something tragic does happen. One more
point to consider is the aspect of fairness. All new properties in this area are required to
have sidewalks, sometimes even on the front and back sides of the property to assure
pedestrian safety. When children walk to school, they deserve to have a safe path the
entire way. Please do what is right and necessary to insure that safety. Thank you once
again.
Sincerely,
Robert Park
My e-mail address is: ~ark~dfd(a,mchsi.com if you wish to contact me that way but as
you probably already know, I don't trust computers.
March 2, 2007
To the Honorable Mayor, City Council, and City Manager:
In October of last year, I sent a letter of concern to the Mayor, City Council, and City
Manager in regards to a dangerous situation that exists in the west end of Dubuque. That
communication was filed and referred to the City Manager. My concern is over the lack
of sidewalks on either side of Kennedy Rd. between Kaufmann Ave. and the N.W.
Arterial and 32"d St. between Highland Park Dr. and Arboretum Dr. where there are no
curb and gutters or sidewalks. In each case, pedestrians are required to walk inches from
oncoming traffic, particularly in the winter time when snow cover forces people to walk
in the slush and snow right in the flow of traffic. Cars often swerve out to the center of
the street to avoid hitting the walkers. I have seen school children and women pushing
baby strollers in the street due to lack of sidewalks on these busy thoroughfares. In the
new subdivision that is rapidly developing north of the Arterial, children in that
neighborhood have no safe way to walk to school. These areas in question are almost
100% developed, mostly residential, so there is no reason for these property owners not
to comply with the city codes regarding properly maintained sidewalks. This area
consists of schools, churches, apartment complexes with many children as well as a city
park and soccer complex nearby. There is even a bus stop on Kennedy Road with no safe
way to walk to it. This all creates a heavy mix of car and pedestrian traffic. I am writing
again as this subject is on the City Council Agenda for March 5th. Please take action on
this important matter before any tragedy happens. Feel free to call me if you have any
questions. Thank you for you time and service.
Respectfully,
Robert Park
2939 Brandywine Pk. Dr.
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 583-9282