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From:Jim Coffman <br />To:publiccomment; GRP-City Council <br />Subject:Roosevelt Avenue Traffic Calming Acceptance 2/10/25 Item 6.B <br />Date:Sunday, February 9, 2025 12:23:10 PM <br />Some people who received this message don't often get email from jimmercoffman@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant <br />Honorable Members of the City Council <br />These are my written comments to Council Agenda Item 6.B <br />I have lived at Roosevelt and Virginia for 25 years. Although not a traffic engineer, <br />I consider myself somewhat of an expert as to traffic on Roosevelt, especially the <br />portion west of Valota. <br />The new roundabout seems to be working. Although some drivers appear <br />perplexed as they enter the circle, most safely navigate the intersection. My wife <br />saw a young person drive her car across the raised cement circle which seemingly <br />caused no damage. I have not observed the intersection during the busy morning <br />and afternoon commute and school drop off/pick up times. As more people gain <br />experience with the roundabout, this will become a safer intersection because of the <br />improvements. <br />From the staff report, it appears that there is funding for work to be done after two <br />to three years of further study. I hope you monitor this commitment so that it <br />doesn't fall prey either to differing priorities or redirection of funding. I <br />strongly encourage a quicker time table. <br />Here are some of my observations: <br />The temporary bulbouts, painted in the colors of a battle faded Ukrainian flag, <br />surrounded by rectangular chunks of black rubber street bumpers and tall white <br />bollards render the streets just downright ugly and detracts from the ambiance of the <br />neighborhood. The worst intersection is at Upton that fronts Rite Aid, <br />Roosevelt Plaza, and Key Market. The latter two businesses have recently <br />completed some beautification work to their buildings and landscaping. I <br />encourage you to take a look at the cement planters with PLASTIC trees. Granted <br />these are evergreen and do not require maintenance by City landscapers, but even <br />these, like real trees, are shedding their plastic stems into the gutters as a result of <br />the recent storms. I hope this is on the top replacement list. <br />Morning and Afternoon traffic backs up considerably both on Roosevelt and <br />Virginia due to the elimination of the westbound right turn lane onto Upton. Even <br />though it is more difficult to back out of my driveway, over the years and to this day