La Follette Avenue
High-Speed Rail Corridor Group
Waubesa Street to Winnebago Street and Anziger Court
aka most of Census Track 20-Block Group 4, per the 2000 census
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La Follette Avenue High-Speed Rail Corridor Group
inaugural meeting, Thursday, September 9, 2010, at Karen Faster's house
Present: Karen Faster, Brent Sieling, Ken Fitzsimmons, Maggie Fitzsimmons,
James Magnuson, Peter Fee, Paula Storch, Dan Melton, Karen Faster
Karen welcomed the group. She and Dan described September 8 meeting of the high-speed rail corridor management team focus group of which Dan is a part. Karen attended meeting as an observer, but was able to ask questions of DOT officials and consultants toward the end. Karen shared the aerial photos and other materials given team-group members.
The group shared concerns and questions. The group concluded that stating flat out that every crossing is important and should be retained is a priority. Paula explained her house is one foot from the corridor and she wonders how the train, fence and cross gates will affect her quality of life, and whether the railroad will want to acquire her property. Ken, Maggie and Peter said they want Corry Street kept open because otherwise, the only way to drive out of the area is via Milwaukee Street. Karen shared her concern about further hemming in the Union Corners area by walling it off along the south border, especially if it end up being use for dense housing.
The group agreed that physically splitting the neighborhood with a fence will be harm the larger urban area, that the foot and bicycle traffic (legal and illegal) across and along the railroad corridor is very important to individuals and to the wider health of the neighborhood and east side. Fencing will greatly constrain access of residents to businesses north and south of the tracks. Access to agencies and services, including the library, community center and churches, also will be limited.
What people want to know
What will happen to property values, especially for homeowners adjacent to the corridor.
If the train slows down farther out of town, would the need for a fence be eliminated?
What will happen to the deadends of streets? Will the ends of the street be redesigned? If so, how?
What group is going to work on
Karen is going to request a meeting from DOT/consultants/city.
Peter and James are going to look into the federal rules for the fence, especially to find a minimum speed would mean a fence is not required.
Ken and Maggie will talk to neighbors at Farwell Street gathering.
What we are thinking we want to recommend
Slow the train down before the Wirth Court Park curve (also known as Junction A) so a fence is not needed.
Set up a trust fund to compensate property owners for decline in values.
Add a pedestrian-bicycle crossing in middle of stretch between
Do not close any street.
La Follette Avenue High-Speed Rail Corridor Group
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Web site is published by Karen Faster, 133 Ohio Avenue, Madison WI 53704
rail@ohioavenue.com
Posted September 16, 2010 |