OAKLAND GREEN TEAM The Oakland Green Team works to improve trail connections and create attractive public spaces. The team will identify, advocate, and implement greening and bike/pedestrian activities throughout Oakland.
Meeting Notes March 19, 2015 – 6:00pm In attendance: Topher Hoffman, Millie Sass, Michael Medwed, Carlino Giampolo, Erin Potts, Kieran Moyle, Roy Weil, Mary Shaw, Andrea Boykowycz, Naomi Anderson, Julien Comte, Clyde Colledge, Margaret Schmitt, Jonathon Swiderski, Robert Harper, Eric Boerer, Pat Hassett, Kristen Saunders, Elly Fisher, David Zwier. Special guests: Pat Hassett, Assistant Director, Department of Public Works (DPW); Kristin Saunders, Department of City Planning; Erin Potts, Pittsburgh Bike Share A.
Public Spaces i. Spring volunteer days: NEED PROJECT LEADER, March 28: University of Pittsburgh, ‘Be a Good Neighbor Day’; volunteers requested to landscape parklet at Ophelia Street/Forbes Avenue April 4: ‘CMU 1000+ Day of Service’
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Oakland Livable Streets (Pat Hassett and Kristin Saunders) Pittsburgh Bike Share 10 sites in Oakland Bike share website: pghbikeshare.org For the initial year, station locations must be located on public right of way. After the first rollout there will be more flexibility for locating them. Stations and bikes will be in place by April 30 for a 30 day trial run. After that period the bike share system will be ‘live’. DPW presented pdfs with details on bike design, station configuration, and station locations. a. The Green Team provided input on station locations and adjacent neighbors who will be interested and/or concerned about the stations. Oakland infrastructure improvements To help create a safe environment to accommodate the Pittsburgh Bike Share, DPW and City Planning will work this summer to improve bicycling and walking infrastructure. Dedicated (bike lanes), designated (sharrows), and well-marked (signage) routes help create a safer environment for people cycling, walking, and driving.
Areas of concern with current or coming opportunities for improvement: a. Neville Street: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is proposing to build a parking lot along a portion of Neville Street between Forbes Avenue and Joncaire Street. CMU’s master plan calls for including trail and bike/ped improvements as part of the project. However, the designs presented to the City’s Planning Commission did not include any of these improvements. i. Action item: The Green Team will write a letter to Corey Layman, the City’s zoning administrator, Kristin Saunders, Pat Hassett, Amanda Broadwater, and CMU advocating for the inclusion of a sidewalk or path for people who walk and bike along Neville Street. Pat Hassett brought a large printed map of existing Oakland infrastructure. The Green Team provided input on locations with high demand for improved infrastructure. The map was returned to Public Works with members’ notes. Joncaire Steps update Department of Public Works is working with PennDOT to review the plans for the steps. Still on timeline to finish rebuilding the steps this fall 2015. ii. Update on Green Team Advocacy Fifth/Craig Bike Pittsburgh is finalizing educational bike hangers. Anderson Bridge DPW is starting to think about alternatives and timing for improving the bridge’s conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. Bridge slated for replacement in next three to five years. Andrea Boykowycz: presented an idea for accommodating a bike lane on the bridge iii. Survey responses and discussion Collected 23 survey responses to questions about walking and biking infrastructure in Oakland. Due to lack of time, the discussion will be held at the April Green Team meeting. C.
New Ideas i. Cyclist/pedestrian focus of the Green Team The group checked in regarding the balance between greening and cyclist/pedestrian advocacy. Responses included: Current structure provides the flexibility for the group to respond to monthly events, issues, and opportunities.Keep current topics/structure for the time being.
OTMA should be more involved in the conversation. Do outreach to better engage student groups Send monthly agenda in advance of the meeting. That way people can decide in advance if they’ll attend.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 16, at 6:00 pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street.