A blog for better streets and public spaces in Portland, Maine.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Franklin Street Reclamation

The Franklin Street Reclamation Study Committee had its first, introductory meeting two weeks ago. The Committee members, who represent a broad range of business, neighborhood, and political interests, introduced themselves to each other, and a presentation from the city's historic preservation office showed what the Franklin Street neighborhood looked like before it was buried in a mass grave underneath today's Arterial (more on that in a bit).

The Committee also heard presentations on Franklin Street as it relates to the recent Peninsula Traffic and Transit Studies, plus a rather too-long-winded lullaby PowerPoint from a Federal Highway Administration engineer who was trying way too hard to convince us that traffic engineers aren't all sadistic, anti-urban, pave-everything ideologues (word to the wise, fella: actions speak louder than words. Better luck next time).

The next Committee meeting should be more interesting. Plan to attend if you can: Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 at the State of Maine Room in City Hall (that's on the second floor, at the western end of the building). If weather permits, the Committee will take a one hour walk of Franklin. Dress appropriately and have proper footwear if you'd like to join them, and please also bring a flashlight.

Updates on the study will be posted on
http://franklinstreet.us/

No comments: