Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on February 6, 2011 at 7:08pm

I am curious as to whether the sudden influx of NEON signs on Thurston is being paid for by this 90/10 program? ( i hope that the answer is NO). I drove down Thurston friday night and it was filled with traffic, cars parked haphazardly and enough neon to give me a headache. I was under the impression that neon signs were supposed to be limited in the city.....

Permalink Reply by Joan Roby-Davison on February 7, 2011 at 9:48am

NO neon signs are being paid for by city grants on Thurston Road.  There will be new signs at Maureen's Magic Touch (already installed), and at the Thurston Bar and Grill.  The work at the Thurston Bar & Grill is waiting for some delayed material, and will be done soon.  Six others are in design process, and will go to bid shortly, but all signs need to be approved by zoning. 

 

I'll check on the proliferation of neon - and the parking issues! 

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on February 23, 2011 at 5:03pm

Any update on the neon signs or parking issues?

Permalink Reply by Joan Roby-Davison on February 23, 2011 at 6:33pm

I reported them - but some of the neon seems to be falling through a loop-hole in the ordinance....I haven't given up (I can be extremely persistent).  The parking is more of a challenge because of the snow, some of which has melted.  I have gotten similar complaints from three others about the parking & neon on Thurston Road - as soon as I have a good answer, I'll share it with all of you who are concerned.

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on February 23, 2011 at 8:16pm

I am extremely concerned about illegal parking on Thurston around Enterprise St., the Post Office, and the two bars.  During the day, it is nearly impossible to turn left coming out of Enterprise where I live onto Thurston.  This is due to the Post Office.  People park in "no standing" zones.  It is impossible to see if someone is coming at times, and a number of years ago, when I was attempting to turn left, someone started backing out of the driveway towards me from what was Doubledays, at the time.  So in an attempt to hurry, I stepped on the gas, and someone who I did not see coming from the south smashed into my car.  It had to be totalled, at only one year old!  While I got a trip to the hospital via ambulance, and we had the street closed with the fire department and the police involved at the scene.  The car that ran into me was also totalled.

 

Now unless traffic is extremely light I can only take a right coming out of Enterprise.  Then I have to turn left to cross over to GPB where I turn left. 

 

In the evening on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the problem is caused by the two bars, with people parking up to the corners wherever they can.  Sometimes on both sides of the side streets.  The parking problem is not related to the snow, it is ongoing on a weekly basis.

 

Mark

 

Permalink Reply by Joan Roby-Davison on February 24, 2011 at 9:50am

Mark - I will follow up with RPD on this.  The CPOs assigned to the NSC may be able to address it in the short term while we work toward a more permanent solution.  Thanks for letting me know about the severity of the situation - I'll let you know what the strategy is.

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on February 24, 2011 at 10:01am

Thanks for following up on both of these issues Joan.

Can you share more about the 'loophole' in the ordinance?

Just to give a bit more background, the issue with parking, especially Weekend evening Thurston activity, has been raised a number of times so I hope that this would not be 'news' to the NSC. Several residents have  shared significant concerns about what happens on Thurston on Friday/Saturday nights - some have talked about concerns with fighting, prostitution, etc. Likewise, an early Sunday/Monday drive down Thurston frequently gives a clue as to what occurred over the weekend- i.e. lots of trash, empty cups, empty food containers, etc.

The fact that there have been several stabbings/shootings on Thurston is a pretty clear indicator about the attention that is needed there.

Permalink Reply by Joan Roby-Davison on February 24, 2011 at 2:24pm

I don't know that the parking issues are exactly news to the NSC - I have added it to the agenda for the Thurston-Brooks Business Association meeting for next week, and will bring it again to the NSC attention.  Don Hanks has spent a great deal of time working with the businesses, including the RTS Bus Shelter, to address the trash that can be found too easily along the street.

 

I have a call in to zoning to ask for clarification on the neon.  Most of the neon is not part of any signage, doesn't block the windows significantly, and is an issue that I have received complaints about from a number of people.  If possible, you might want to attend the zoning meeting planned for March 8, as Marcia Barry (Director of the Zoning & Planning Office) will be able to answer questions.

 

No question that there are public safety issues on Thurston Road - I've met with the NSC staff & Lt. Dearcop to see how we can address those issues more effectively.

The Thurston Brooks Merchants Association is working to address these problems, and is planning an event on May 21, to highlight improvements in the businesses and to offer family friendly activities - an opportunity to walk Thurston to see the positive changes that are underway!  Watch for more details....