An accident waiting to happen
So the work on Commodore Plaza is almost completed, it's been a while, at first I thought it was going fast, but it slowed down a bit for minor things. One major thing is those extended sidewalks in the middle of the block. No one likes them. I've been stopped by merchants and residents and people have actually dragged me from one end of town to Commodore Plaza to see the new thing. I'm not sure what to call them.
First off, can you see the angle? They are not in line with the "real" sidewalk, they sort of make a V shape where the gutter is. Then there is the gutter. What's up with that and why is there a gutter there? Probably for drainage, but of course, there aren't any sewers, so not sure about any of that. Also, the extended sidewalk, which is meant to allow for easier street crossing, takes up the space of four parking spaces.
First off, can you see the angle? They are not in line with the "real" sidewalk, they sort of make a V shape where the gutter is. Then there is the gutter. What's up with that and why is there a gutter there? Probably for drainage, but of course, there aren't any sewers, so not sure about any of that. Also, the extended sidewalk, which is meant to allow for easier street crossing, takes up the space of four parking spaces.
The extended sidewalks really need to be removed; mainly for safety reasons, but also because they are not needed. Commodore is a very calm street, even with traffic flowing, cars don't race through there, these devices in the name of street crossing are foolish. The V shaped angle is going to hurt someone and the gutter, which was to have been covered weeks ago, is a big accident waiting to happen. Plus we need the parking spaces.
What's ironic is that the extended sidewalk things were added supposedly to make it safer to cross the street but it's the complete opposite, and I don't remember anyone ever having problems crossing Commodore Plaza, but I do foresee a bunch of people falling because of this dangerous new sidewalk.
The City needs to remove these things before the whole job is completed. Admit it's an error and move on.
posted by Tom Falco at 5:00 AM
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14 Comments:
I saw these and thought they were placed there for the new citi bikes that are coming or bike racks which would be really useful. If it's just space, it's kind of ridiculous especially with the lack of parking we already have.
This is pathetic planning.
If the intent was to extend the sidewalk for wider pedestrian area, then the idea failed. Instinctively, people do not walk along a short area between trees separated by a moat.
If the intent was to widen the streets so local restaurants can have space for outdoor dining, Again, Fail! These areas are not wide enough for tables and crossing the moat might be a serious accident waiting to happen.
If the intent was to make crossing the street easier, then where are the crosswalk signs, painted hash marks to mark the crossings and the flared "ramp" for handicap access? How will the handicapped cross the moat?
We all know that crossing the street mid-block is J-Walking and shouldn't be done without the proper markings.
I can foresee my 85 year old father, not seeing the moat as he's walking (because its a little dark and a moat in the middle of a brick sidewalk is not normal) and falling over and breaking a hip.
Once again, a pathetic half baked idea in Miami, that will end up being corrected and reconstructed, wasting money of the taxpayer. BUT the contractor will get paid anyway.
Ahhh, life in the Banana Republic.
Who's idea was this? Mark Sarfraud? Never thought about the handicapped aspect... what a waist of time and money...
My guess would be a comprise between drainage and an extended walk way.
Truly puzzling. Looks a lawsuit waiting to happen. Lawyers take note!
How much is the work going to cost once the job is finished? Who wants to bet the real dollar amount by now has been revised and is different than the one posted on the billboard at the end of Commodore Plaza?
Moat needs drawbridge.
;-)
Brilliant design: We can all finally play mini golf, boccia, yoyo tricks, and even spinning-top in the streets!
I just got from Commodore where I had conversation with a couple of merchants, who pointed out the fire hazard. One of the islands is in front of a hydrant, and there are two trees blocking access to buildings adjacent to it. Also, the grade of the island is so steep to be dangerous. This is such an ill-conceived project, and it's removal needs to be addressed ASAP.
I could not agree more with the author of this blog! I was at Lokal Burger last week and almost tripped and fell... This design takes away MUCH NEEDED parking... it looks out of place, it's costing $$$ and it adds no value... and to quote anonymous (Marc Sarfraud) finger prints all over it!
I hope and pray Tom Falco, that all of this is being conveyed to Mark Sarnoff, BID, Mayor's office, and all other powers that be. It is your civic responsibility to disseminate the citizen's response regarding these unwanted and unwarranted changes to our VILLAGE,(not REPUBLIC), of Coconut Grove!!!
Anon: 9:44pm thanks for getting me to think of the new slogan we should spent a zillion dollars promoting: The Nearby Ripofflic of Coconut Grove
Absolutely un fathomable that they would do this when for years everyone has been bitching about parking in the grove! How many spots did it take away total??? My kid goes to A&M so I have seen the madness and highly disapprove. And I despise sarnoffff!!! We need a sound off on Sarnoff. I didn't think about the disability aspect either, surely this is not 'code' . If it were a homeowners' house all hell and fines and whatever else they can summon relating to madness on the taxpayers would break loose. But no, not the city, they're never wrong. I've had it with this place.
Tom, please make it stop!
I actually see no problem with the extended sidewalk. I'm not sure how fare these extend, but the sidewalk seating at restaurants like Green Street always seemed uncomfortably closet to the street, and enjoying breakfasts while someone was parallel parking feet away from you is always a nerve racking experience.
As for the handicapped concerns, shouldn't they, like everyone else, cross at a crosswalk?
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