City to Hold Public Input Meeting on Pedestrian Master Plan on May 24 (May 17, 2005)

The Pedestrian Master Plan Steering Committee invites residents of Washington to a Public Input and Information Open House on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at the Senior Resource Center located at 310 W. Main Street. Residents can learn about the development of a Pedestrian Master Plan for the City of Washington and offer their ideas about walking facilities in Washington.

The purpose of this plan is to provide a comprehensive view of pedestrian needs and opportunities within the City of Washington and to identify strategies to meet these needs and to take advantage of opportunities. This plan will include both on road and off road facilities.

The City of Washington aims to address the pedestrian needs of all residents in this plan. These citizens include those with limited access to vehicles such as elderly, low income, children, health-conscience citizens, citizens with accessibility problems and citizens with destinations within walking distance of residences, schools and employment. This plan will designate a network of future pedestrian routes between pedestrian destinations throughout the City of Washington that people can use for transportation, enjoyment and fitness. Pedestrian accessibility for all residents throughout Washington and pedestrian safety will be driving forces of plan development.

The Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee wants to learn where residents currently walk, where they would like to walk, and where it is difficult or unsafe to walk. There will be a short presentation about the Pedestrian Master Plan, and then attendees can view maps, look at pictures concerning pedestrians and talk with committee members about where walkways are inadequate, where walkways are needed and safety issues.

Refreshments will be served and transportation to the meeting is available. If you need a ride to the forum or have questions about the meeting, please call John Rodman at 975-9384 or Gil Davis at 975-9316.

City of Washington staff, consisting of Gil Davis with the Parks and Recreation Department and John Rodman with the Planning Department, are leading this planning effort with support from Susan Suggs, Planner and Landscape Architect with the NC Division of Community Assistance. The Steering Committee, chaired by citizen Suzanne Gray, began meeting in February. The steering committee has been studying background information and planning the Open House. The steering committee will use the information and opinions from the Open House in the development of the Pedestrian Master Plan.