Extra caution on the part of drivers, as well as parents making sure that their children only cross the street at crosswalks and corners, will help us have a safe school year. Speaking of pedestrian safety, the highly successful downtown redevelopment project included the construction of mid-block crossings, which has generated some questions and concerns from both motorists and pedestrians. The crossings are located between each cross-street from Third to Sixth Avenues, with medians built in the center of Main Street. They are distinguished by bright-colored pedestrian crossing signs, as well as brick and stone materials that contrast them from the asphalt on the street. Drivers can help by carefully watching for pedestrians in the crossings and by driving the speed limit downtown.
Pedestrians can do their part by waiting for a break in traffic before stepping into the street.
With the median in the center of Main Street, pedestrians can cross two lanes and then wait in the median for a break in the traffic moving in the opposite direction. Changes are sometimes difficult to adjust to, and I encourage pedestrians and drivers to do their part to make downtown a safe environment for all. If you thought Robin Williams was funny and endearing playing Dr. Patch Adams in the hit movie of the same name, wait until you meet the real Patch Adams, as he headlines Longmont's third Our Town Community Conference late this fall. Patch and his co-presenter Susan Parenti, along with fellow presenters Dave Crockett, Joseph McNeely, Michael Smith and Opalonga Pugh will have stories to tell and inspiration to move participants to action in sustaining the good things about Longmont and creating solutions for the things that can be improved. There will be something for everyone at Our Town.