Multimodal Transportation Commission – February 28, 2024
February 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM
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Event Recap
Multimodal Transportation Commission Meeting Recap – February 28, 2024
The Multimodal Transportation Commission held a virtual meeting on February 28, 2024, focusing on current transportation initiatives and future planning for Asheville. The meeting included updates from various committees, public comments, and discussions regarding potential changes to city streets and transit services. This recap provides a summary of the key topics, decisions, and next steps for residents to understand how these discussions impact their community.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to hearing from residents about their transportation concerns and ideas. Kai Moscow, a student at UNCA, presented an ambitious proposal for a "superblock" in downtown Asheville. Inspired by successful implementations elsewhere, this concept aims to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over cars, potentially reducing noise, pollution, and improving space utilization. Susan Bean from the Mountain Troop/Asheville Regional Transit Coalition advocated for increased bus frequency along Hendersonville Road in South Asheville, emphasizing the need to improve transit options for residents and riders. The Commission acknowledged both comments as valuable input, committing to explore ways to respond to them, particularly regarding the superblock concept.
Several key decisions were made during the meeting. The agenda and minutes from the previous January 19th meeting were approved, confirming the record of past discussions. Notably, Priya Ray and Tyler Roach were appointed to fill vacancies on the Active Transportation Committee, ensuring continued momentum in this vital area. The Commission also reviewed and approved proposed speed limit adjustments for several streets, including reducing the speed limit on Woodfin Street to 20 mph, Battery Park Alley to 10 mph, and a section of Haywood/Ormond Avenue to 25 mph. These changes aim to improve safety and enhance pedestrian experiences in these areas.
Discussions centered on several ongoing initiatives. The Active Transportation Committee is working to gather data on Merriman Avenue, but a delay in collection was discussed due to ongoing improvements. While preliminary results are positive, further data is planned for the fall. The Transit Committee is actively exploring ways to elevate transit priorities in City Council decision-making, examining ridership data by stop to better understand community needs. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee provided an update on the upcoming "Festival of Neighborhoods" planned for September 14th, highlighting a community-focused event. Finally, the I-26 project is ongoing with NCDOT working to refine bids from three competing companies.
Looking ahead, the Commission is shifting its focus towards strategic planning and actionable steps. A key action item is to plan an in-person "work meeting" on March 27th, providing a dedicated space for focused discussion and the development of concrete plans. City staff will also explore options for sharing raw transit data with the Active Transportation Committee, while being mindful of potential workload and limitations. Overall, this meeting highlighted a commitment to community engagement and collaborative problem-solving as the Multimodal Transportation Commission works towards creating a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable transportation system for Asheville.