Skip to main content

City holds first public informational meeting on proposed Cedar Street reconstruction

By Howard B. Owens

There are three primary reasons Cedar Street needs an extreme makeover according to consultant Marc D. Kenward.

First is the poor drainage that causes cracks and potholes; second, the low clearance of the bridge at the south end of Cedar (you know, the one the trucks hit a few times a year); third, a need for improved pedestrian mobility (sidewalks).

The reconstruction of Cedar has been a goal of the city for years, but the project is now in the pipeline because 80 percent of the $3.7 million price tag will be covered by the federal government and state grants will pay the rest.

An informational meeting at City Hall this evening, which about a dozen people attended, was an introduction of the plan and an opportunity for community members to provide feedback.

There will likely be one more such meeting as the planning progresses, Kenward said.

RICHARD L. HALE

Thats great. Federal and state monies will cover the cost of Cedar street reconstruction. I'm glad it's not costing US anything........

It might be just a rumor, but I heard General Motors wants to use Summit Street as a test course for their new vehicles.

And then the sidewalks.......

Feb 4, 2011, 1:04am Permalink
John Roach

Richard,
Tax money is used for street repair.

The fact that the tax money is coming from three different sources (City, State and Federal) doesn't matter to me. The street needs to be repaired and now there is money to do it without an even higher City tax hike increase than what we will be paying.

Feb 4, 2011, 8:37am Permalink
Mark Potwora

A need for improved pedestrian mobility (sidewalks).Why didn't they just say sidewalks.Thats a new way to put it..Now pedestrian mobility can go all the way out to the old 84 lumber site..We need alot of improved pedestrian mobility thought the city .More so than on Cedar Street.
Glad they are going to fix that road ..

Feb 4, 2011, 10:35am Permalink
Vicki Newton

Am I completely off base, or isn't road maintenance supposed to be the purpose of all the gasoline taxes? What are they doing with that money?

That being said, infrastructure across the board nationwide is in serious trouble, and has been for some time. As has Cedar Street. Why is it that we have to wait two more years while the problems get exponentially worse? In the meantime, we will be paying for patches several times during those two years which will not be free.

Just another example of how all the red tape complicates and stalls necessary work. And all the administrators get to spend ridiculous amounts of time on each project, making the entire program inefficient, bloated, and 10 times more expensive.

Just my opinion.

Feb 4, 2011, 1:18pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

It's salesmanship. Which invites less inclination to vote 'no' - a sidewalk or pedestrian mobility? A sidewalk is a lump of concrete, finished on one side that costs about $100 per cubic yard. Pedestrian mobility is you or me walking to DeWitt Park, the AFSCME offices, Tartarka Technologies, Arctic Refrigeration, Time-Warner, Flowers by Dick Burton, Cedar St. Sales & Rentals, County Parks or Weights & Measures, Verizon, the VFW or the Ready-Mix plant.

Feb 4, 2011, 1:32pm Permalink
John Roach

That whole street is going to be ripped up and replaced. Not to do the sidewalks at the same time would be beyond stupid and would cost us even more later on.

I wonder how much the guy got paid to come up with the term, "Pedestrian Mobility"?

Feb 4, 2011, 1:41pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

John, have you ever seen anyone walking along Cedar Street? A sidewalk is a nice thought, but Cedar wouldn't top my list. I'd pick a residential area like North Vine or State Street. Those sidewalks are either in bad shape or non-existent; and both have ample foot-traffic with schools.

Feb 4, 2011, 2:22pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

CM i agree with you on this..My thoughts exactly..Thats why i made the point about the sidewalk on Ellicott going all the way out to the old 84 lumber..no one ever uses them..All i say is to spend the money more wisely..Its something the city need to work on..Even on street repair,there are many streets in Batavia that are in worst shape than Cedar Street..

Feb 4, 2011, 3:00pm Permalink
John Roach

CM,
Actually yes. Mostly as could be expected, in the Summer. Most of the walkers seem to be going to or from DeWitt park.

But while I would not pick Ceder St. for just sidewalk repair, if you know anything about street reconstruction, you know the sidewalks are going to be removed for the project. Not to replace them at that time is stupid, since later replacement would cost more.

Feb 4, 2011, 3:55pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

A couple of goals of pedestrian mobility (I love that phrase) is making it easier to walk from from Lion's Park to Dewitt Park. Also, making it easier for residents on the north end to walk to the parks.

Feb 4, 2011, 6:41pm Permalink
Mark Janofsky

C.M.,
Concrete costs $600 +/- per cubic yard depending on mix, additives and delivery. Because the Federal and State Governments are paying, new sidewalk is not an option. I have also seen people walk down Cedar Street, often.

Feb 4, 2011, 7:12pm Permalink

Authentically Local