BrakeDown

The Geneva Convention Traffic Enforcement Vehicle. “Stop! In the Name of La Convencion!”

Hello Fellow GC Denizens,

As everybody knows, E. 31st Avenue between Fulton and Bluff Lake has become a speedway, both with the added volume of traffic to and from Bluff Lake Apartments as well as the ongoing pickups and drop offs at Knowledge Beginnings.  Last night, for instance, I was talking with Billy B. over on his block (31st) when a car went blazing past us.  “That’s nothing,” he remarked.  “People FLY through here.”   

Stalwart neighbor Chris J. originally gave voice to an idea that the intersection of E. 31st Ave. and Geneva Street should become a four-way stop, and it’s been discussed around the neighborhood for years since.  Also, that intersection is a bus stop for at least two school buses each day.  It needs to be safer.  A four-way stop seems like a good way to at least slow things down. 

In attending the SUN meeting last night (more on that in another update,) I learned a bit about how to clamor for traffic changes.  Apparently it all starts with the SUN Transportation Committee.   To that effect, I’ve drafted the following email to the committee’s Chair, David Vogel:

Good Morning David,
 
I recently took over as a block captain for Geneva Street/Geneva Court north of E. 31st Place.  I attended last night’s SUN meeting and gathered from the traffic discussion that if my neighborhood has a traffic concern, it’s best to start with the SUN Transportation Committee. 
 
We are interested in finding out what is necessary to have the intersection at E. 31st Avenue and Geneva Street turned into a four-way stop. 
 
With the recent addition of Bluff Lake Apartments to the east and the ongoing daily pickups/drop offs at Knowledge Beginnings, the intersection at E. 31st Avenue and Geneva Street has become quite busy.  While there are stop signs on 31st, it is not uncommon to have cars speed excessively down E. 31st Avenue; furthermore, this intersection is the site of two school bus stops. 
 
The residents in this area believe that the fast flow of traffic (and the general lack of caution being exercised by motorists) represents an unnecessary danger to children, bicyclists, and pedestrians who frequent this intersection.   
 
What are the next steps in addressing our request?
 
Thank You,
Joe Trussell

I’ll keep everybody posted with any progress.  I actually believe that this is hugely important, because that intersection is getting scary.  Let’s see if we can get it changed. 

Viva La Convencion,

Joe T.