News

Gilman might move all 2-way

Madison engineers and planners presented possible options for enhancing West Gilman Street Monday.

The plan, set to start in 2009, includes opening the entire road to two-way traffic.

City residents and property owners bounced ideas off city officials for the best solution to transform the 400 block of West Gilman Street between University Avenue and State Street to a more attractive and efficient route for motorists.

Engineers and planners proposed three construction options, including two separate two-way flow designs and improvement of the one-way flow that currently exists.

According to city traffic engineer Scott Langer, creating a two-way traffic flow would augment circulation around State Street. Implementing a north-south movement would increase business activity and foot traffic, he said.

“It is a greater vision for the downtown businesses,” Langer added. “It is necessary to keep a vibrant downtown, and the street could use a little care and rehab.”

The consideration to create a two-way flow stems from the ongoing State Street reconstruction plans from 1999. These plans also included a possible transformation of West Gilman Street into a more visually cohesive block, similar to amenities seen on State Street like pedestrian streetlights, benches and Metro Transit bus stops.

“We are looking to provide additional amenities on the side streets to provide the ‘district feel’ and give it personality and character,” said Archie Nicolette, city planner for Madison. “We are trying to keep the same family of elements so it all relates together.”

According to Langer, straighter sidewalks are a benefit of a two-way flow design, which would also meet the expectations of the original State Street plan.

Serious concerns with pedestrian safety, more traffic congestion and loss of parking spaces would also result from two-way traffic, Langer said.

“I agree the enhancement could make the block vibrant, but I do not necessarily see it linked to two-way access,” said Gregg Watermann, a Gilman Street property owner. “Quite frankly, I think there is a good argument that bringing two-way traffic decreases vibrancy. Part of what makes State Street such a great street is the limit of traffic, and that is the same concept that should be considered for Gilman Street.”

The other option presented was to keep the current one-way flow, adding enhancements and amenities such as pedestrian streetlights and an additional three feet of sidewalk space on both sides of the street.

“I agree that the block could use a facelift, and I think tying the amenities from State Street mall will go a long way towards upping the image of that block,” Watermann said. “However, I do not see how increasing vehicular flow will do anything to improve the marriage between that block and State Street.”

Although residents and city officials did not reach a resolution to the debate between a two-way and one-way traffic flow, the general consensus was the block needed restoration and improvements.

“It has been a very pathetic-looking block, and it has been in need of tender love and care,” said City Council President, Mike Verveer, District 4. “But, I have every faith and confidence that the design produced by planners will really help to beautify this key block and be an extension of our State Street reconstruction project.”