(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2023)
One group of residents in Saratoga Springs is asking the city not to take quick action on any changes to Union Avenue, but to "pump the brakes" and think before deciding.
Saratoga Springs is asking residents to participate in the potential redesign of Union Avenue, a project called "Enhanced Union Avenue." Ken Grey, chair of the city’s Complete Streets Advisory Board, will lead a meeting that will offer the timeline and background, results of a traffic study and the current state of bike and walking lanes in the city, a statement from the mayor’s office says.
The meeting will also break people into groups to take feedback on proposed designs for the street that runs in front of the Saratoga Race Course. The state is funding a renovation of Union Avenue from I-87 Northway Exit 14 to East Avenue. The city is looking to make upgrades from East Avenue to Union Avenue’s terminus at Congress Park.
The public workshop is planned for Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the third floor Music Hall in City Hall.
[Read our earlier coverage here.]
The small-group workshop will be led by professional city planner Mike King, who is also a member of the complete streets board.
“Union Avenue is an important part of our Complete Streets network,” Grey said in a statement. “It connects the track and city neighborhoods east of the Northway with downtown, with plans to connect through Congress Park to Railroad Run and the Spa State Park. We’d like the public to help us make that walking and biking connection as safe and as attractive as possible.”
The workshop is the third public meeting in the past four months seeking citizen input on plans to reimagine this iconic street to slow down cars, make safer pedestrian crossings, add more greenspace and include a protected bike lane, the press statement says.
“Public input is so important to this process,” said Mayor Ron Kim. “We hope to see the community come together to accomplish that goal.”
The workshop will begin with an overview of the city’s 2016 plan to build a connected bike and pedestrian network, a plan that includes a bike lane on Union.
A representative from JMT of NY, the city’s engineering and design consultant, will discuss the results of their traffic study.
After the presentations, CSAB member Mike King will invite the public will break into small groups to evaluate how well potential designs address safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Participants will also consider how potential design changes will affect traffic flow during the racing season and comment on possibilities for more trees and new greenspace.
“If we do this right, it could set a benchmark for future civic engagement in Saratoga infrastructure projects,” King said in the statement.
For more information please contact the Mayor’s office at 518-587-3550, x 2520
The Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the third floor Music Hall in City Hall.