Keep California Avenue Pedestrian Friendly.

Seems like every few years the City of Seattle tries to ruin the pedestrian friendly aspect of California Avenue. And they're at it again.

Tim St. Clair's article, "California To Be Repaved," says that the city is considering removing the mid-block pedestrian crosswalks and doing away with the four-way walk. How many times do we have to revisit this and convince the city to leave it as it is?

The blocks between Edmunds and Alaska and between Alaska and Oregon are very long. Removing the crosswalks will penalize the elderly as well as encourage jaywalking.

Crossing at the four-way walk is one of the joys in Seattle. Pedestrians don't have to worry about being run over by cars turning on the green and turning when the pedestrian walk signal is on....a common occurrence elsewhere in the city. Removing the four-way walk will also encourage jaywalking.

Looks like the free on-street parking may go as well. The West Seattle shopping district is still not that robust. They need the free parking.

I'm discouraged. Maybe West Seattle should consider seceding again.

Irene Gendron

Arbor Heights