Lang
8/8/19
The city of Iowa City held a public forum Wednesday night to discuss adding bike lanes and eliminating parking on portions of Dodge and Governor Streets.
Some of those attending the meeting, held at City Hall on Washington Street, took issue with the city eliminating the parking spots, used mostly by University of Iowa students living in nearby houses and apartment buildings. Other attendees wished to discuss the city’s overall Bicycle Master Plan. According to The Daily Iowan, the meeting was split up between the two groups, with Iowa City Senior Engineer Jason Reichart addressing those concerned about parking, and Johnson County Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Kent Ralston addressing those wishing to discuss the Bicycle Master Plan.
Most of those attending the meeting agreed that eliminating parking would harm property owners and renters. Anne Freerks, a former member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission who lives on Governor Street, noted that eliminating parking would also adversely affect elderly residents in the area. Freerks said she often has family and friends over to visit, and a lack of street parking would make that more difficult.
Sarah Bond, a UI Associate Professor who also lives on Governor Street, suggested making Governor a one-way street between Bowery and Burlington Streets with both parking and a bike lane.
Some attending the meeting were critical of the fact that the city held it while many UI students whose parking would be affected were out of town for summer break.
Reichart told the DI that after hearing the comments Wednesday night it’s clear the proposal is nowhere near ready to be presented to the city council for a vote, and that the idea will have to be re-evaluated.
