The Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole recommended the approval of an ordinance that would remove parking on Kinch Street in order to make room for bike lanes and approved construction on Race Street at its Monday meeting. The council will make the final decision on these actions at its next meeting.
Over the past week, city staff has researched Kinch Street’s alignment and decided due to safety issues and narrowness of the road that a shared vehicle parking and bike path would not be possible, said Bill Gray, director of Urbana Public Works.
“We are trying to be consistent throughout the city,” he said. “Bottom line is staff still supports bike lanes on this stretch of Kinch Street and feels it keeps with the overall objectives of the Bike Master Plan.”
Brandon Bowersox-Johnson, Ward 4, said he hopes in the next week, the council could take a comprehensive look at making the corridor safer.
“Unfortunately this is a choice between children’s safety and convenience of parking,” he said. “Now that this has been installed on Washington and other streets, there have been overwhelming positive feelings. I feel like this is just paint, we can try this.”
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Several residents also attended the meeting, including Karen Dixon, resident of Kinch Street. Dixon presented a petition to council, which was signed by other residents of the street. Dixon addressed the committee on their concern for children who would use the bike paths.
“I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people this week and they all feel the same,” she said. “They will not let their kids ride on that street.”
Rick Langlois, vice president of Champaign County Bikes, works closely with Urbana bicycle planners and encouraged the implementation of the path.
“I appreciate concerns of the residents in terms of losing parking,” he said. “In terms of bike plan detriment to the community, I would hope they could stand it being a good asset to anyone can bicycle or anyone who passes through the community and wants to do it more safely.”
Council also approved summer construction for pavement improvements and street widening on Race Street between Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. The $850,000 project, funded through the State Motor Fuel Tax, will also widen sidewalks and implement street lighting.
“This is a long time coming for this neighborhood,” said Charlie Smyth, Ward 1.
Corinne can be reached at [email protected].
