October 14, 2024

Whole Community News

From Kalapuya lands in the Willamette watershed

Concerned citizens launch petition for better sidewalks

2 min read
Sidewalks are transportation infrastructure just like streets and bike paths. There does not appear to be an effective plan for fixing the sidewalks. Indeed, they are steadily getting worse. We urgently call on city leaders to develop a long-term funding mechanism to fix Eugene's sidewalks.

Concerned citizens for better sidewalks launch a petition drive. With public comment at the Neighborhood Leaders Council Feb. 27:

Gerry Meenaghan (Southeast Neighbors): Thanks for hosting this public comment for the Neighborhood Leaders Council.

I’m Gerry Meenaghan. I’m in the SEN neighborhood and full disclosure, I am a member of some neighborhood association boards and city committees, but I am tonight representing none of those. Rather I’m representing a group of concerned citizens for better sidewalks in Eugene and I would like to read a proclamation from that group and follow up with next steps. And the proclamation reads:

[00:00:48] Our city government knows the importance of sidewalks:

[00:00:52] ‘Safe sidewalks benefit pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, joggers, and others who use sidewalks to travel around town. Safe, clean and hazard-free sidewalks promote mobility and livability for the citizens of Eugene. The community and citizens benefit from having pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and driveway approaches as part of the city’s overall transportation system.’

[00:01:11] Sadly, we residents of Eugene find that our sidewalks are clearly not safe, clean, and hazard-free. Many are in poor and deteriorating condition and pose a significant risk for tripping and falling.

[00:01:24] We call on city leaders to:

  • Develop a plan to substantially improve the condition of Eugene sidewalks over the next 10 years.
  • Devise a stable, adequate, and equitable funding mechanism for ongoing sidewalk repair.

[00:01:37] We agree that:

  • 100% of Eugene residents are pedestrians some of the time; everyone uses our sidewalks!
  • Many depend on walking to meet basic needs because of age, ability, and to save money.
  • Walking is an important component of our health and neighborhood life. Walking supports our local economy.
  • Many home and business owners in our neighborhoods cannot afford to repair their sidewalks. It’s expensive!
  • Sidewalks are transportation infrastructure just like streets and bike paths.
  • There does not appear to be an effective plan for fixing the sidewalks. Indeed, they are steadily getting worse.

[00:02:10] We urgently call on city leaders to develop a long-term funding mechanism to fix Eugene’s sidewalks. (End proclamation.)

[00:02:19] So we will (this group of concerned citizens) be reaching out to neighborhood association leaders and including the NLC co-chairs in coming days and asking folks to read and sign on to this proclamation and movement using a petition medium such as Change.org.

[00:02:39] And we’ll appreciate your support and because I know from previous NLC meetings that this is something that is a concern of many neighborhood associations and neighborhood leaders and citizens of the city,

[00:02:55] Thanks for your time and for listening.

[00:02:57] John Q: The petition is available on Change.org: It’s titled ‘Make Eugene Sidewalks Safe, Clean, and Hazard-Free.’

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