|
Flores, Dora
<br />From:Margo Alleman <allemanmargo@gmail.com>
<br />Sent:Tuesday, March 3,
<br />To:eComment
<br />Subject:Public Comment - Safer Multimodal travel on First Street
<br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
<br />Dear Mayor and Members of the Santa Ana City Council,
<br />I am writing to express strong support for the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study and the future
<br />implementation of a multimodal corridor along First Street from Bristol Street to Tustin Avenue.
<br />As outlined by the City’s Public Works Agency, this nearly 3-mile corridor lies in the heart of Santa Ana,
<br />connecting residents to jobs, dining, entertainment, transit, and critical public services, while serving one of
<br />Orange County’s highest ridership bus routes, OCTA Route 64. The Study’s goals—a safer First Street, better
<br />access for people walking, biking, riding transit, or rolling, and a corridor that supports healthy lifestyles—are
<br />exactly the kind of investments that will shape a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient Santa Ana.
<br />Research from around the country shows that walkable, multimodal streets are powerful economic engines.
<br />Walkable urban areas occupy a very small share of metropolitan land but generate a disproportionately large
<br />share of regional GDP and tax revenue, demonstrating that compact, walkable corridors support higher
<br />economic productivity and local fiscal health. Studies on pedestrian-friendly main streets similarly find that
<br />shifting from car-dominated designs to people-oriented streets increases foot traffic, encourages people to
<br />spend more time and money in local businesses, and improves overall quality of life. Multimodal street design
<br />guidance also emphasizes that streets designed for walking, biking, and transit can move and serve more
<br />people within the same right-of-way, making them more efficient and supportive of local commerce than
<br />auto-only corridors.
<br />Safety is another critical benefit. The Federal Highway Administration defines traffic calming and multimodal
<br />safety treatments—such as improved crosswalks, narrower effective lane widths, and speed management—as
<br />tools to support the livability and vitality of residential and commercial areas by improving non-motorist safety,
<br />mobility, and comfort. A systematic review of traffic-calming interventions finds that these measures not only
<br />reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, but also improve public health, travel behavior, and overall urban
<br />livability.
<br />From a climate and resilience perspective, multimodal corridors are essential. Transportation is the largest
<br />source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and national analyses show that investing in
<br />multimodal transportation—walking, biking, and transit—reduces vehicle miles traveled, cuts emissions, and
<br />improves public health while boosting local economies. Walkable, green corridors with high-quality transit
<br />access also support long-term resilience by encouraging infill development, reducing dependence on driving,
<br />and creating cooler, more comfortable streetscapes that can better withstand extreme heat and other climate
<br />impacts.
<br />The First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study is also a clear implementation step for Santa Ana’s Vision Zero
<br />commitment. Vision Zero is built on the principle that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable through
<br />systemic changes to street design, speed management, and multimodal access. By transforming First Street
<br />into a corridor that slows vehicles to safe speeds, improves crossings, and provides comfortable facilities for
<br />people walking, biking, using mobility devices, and riding transit, the City is operationalizing Vision Zero on one
<br />of its most important streets. This project will help ensure that residents of all ages and abilities can travel
<br />safely to schools, jobs, services, and transit without risking their lives.
<br />3
<br />
<br />
|