The Seattle City Council’s Joint Pedestrian Safety and Transportation Committee today, April 24, got a look at the recommendations for the city's first Pedestrian Master Plan.
The Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group was convened soon after the council created an Ad Hoc Pedestrian Safety Committee in January 2007. The committee's vision is that Seattle become a “walking city” that recognizes that as we grow, people will walk in ever-increasing numbers.
In the committee's own words, “the plan:
Cites the best of what Seattle has done thus far and encourages a continuing sense of pride in accomplishment;
Demands respect and safety for pedestrians;
Requires that pedestrian connections be made to and among parks, schools, transit, shops, civic spaces, work spaces, and other land uses;
Encourages people to walk for their own benefit, for the life of the city, and for the good of the natural environment;
Obligates all branches and sectors of city government to conduct their work with reference to the vision; and
Names the public and private investment that will be necessary to meet the vision.”
“This is important and historic work for Seattle that we couldn’t have done without the leadership of (committee),” said council member Jan Drago.
Council member Nick Licata added, “to be a 'walking city' we must give our citizens a safe city; I am committed to finding the funding to implement this plan after the council approves it.”
The city council is scheduled to review and approve the plan in September and this review will include a public hearing on July 21 this year.
But before that, the immediate next steps include: an extensive number of presentations of the proposed plan’s contents to district and community council meetings. There will also be a Launch Event featuring Mark Fenton on May 12. Fenton is considered one the nation's foremost experts on walking and is the former editor of "WALKING" magazine.
Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Web cast live on the city council’s Web site. Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on www.seattle.gov/council.
