Charlottesville City Councilors:

As advocates for safe and readily available pedestrian, bicycle, and transit options for commuters, visitors, shoppers, and residents in the downtown Charlottesville, ACCT supports the recommendations of the Charlottesville Planning Commission not to approve a vehicular crossing on either East Fourth Street or East Fifth Street. The City Planning Commission voted 5-2 against the proposed opening of a second vehicular crossing on the Downtown Mall at its January 11, 2006 meeting.

ACCT supports enhancements of the downtown pedestrian mall that provide a safe environment for pedestrians between West Second Street and the developing east end of the mall. A vehicular crossing will have significant detrimental impacts on both the safety and desirability of pedestrian use of the downtown mall.

ACCT also supports the companion Planning Commission action that contains several recommendations to council that we believe will better address the interests of both the downtown business community and pedestrians who use of the mall. These recommendations to council by the planning commission included improved provision of signage and wayfinding aids, collection of additional information on downtown accessibility by both pedestrians and vehicles after new signage is installed and downtown construction is completed, and investigation of route changes including reversing traffic direction at the West Second Street vehicular mall crossing that would improve vehicular access to parking and destinations in the vicinity of the mall.

Finally, ACCT requests that the City take immediate action to stop the illegal vehicle crossings that are occurring due to the temporary situation on East Fifth Street. The existing pavement markings and the lack of signage explaining the restricted use send an unclear message to drivers approaching from the north or south. Since pedestrians are not alert to traffic at this location, drivers who illegally cross the mall here threaten the safety of pedestrians. We ask that you clarify the current use of this area through better signage and, if necessary, increased enforcement.

Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me (434.295.6554) if you wish to discuss this more.

Sincerely,

Alia Anderson
ACCT Executive Director