CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY FOURTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-20-59 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Isaac Benton
RESOLUTION
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Directing The Administration To Create An “Active Streets Initiative” To Facilitate Safe, Socially-Distanced Outdoor Recreation And Active Transportation Opportunities On Neighborhood Streets During Health Emergencies (Benton)
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DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE AN “ACTIVE STREETS INITIATIVE” TO FACILITATE SAFE, SOCIALLY-DISTANCED OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS DURING HEALTH EMERGENCIES.
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 public health emergency has created the need to socially distance in all spaces, both indoors and outdoors; and
WHEREAS, access to spaces to walk, bike, roller skate, or otherwise recreate outdoors is important to the health and well being of the residents of Albuquerque; and
WHEREAS, some of the City’s parks and open spaces have been inundated with members of the community who are seeking time outside; and
WHEREAS, some of the City’s sidewalk infrastructure is substandard or in poor condition and is not a viable place to recreate; and
WHEREAS, outdoor recreation is a great alternative to an indoor gym; and
WHEREAS, more access to safe outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly close to home, would provide physical and mental benefits during this unprecedented pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Region Council of Governments has reported that street traffic is down 40%-60% in some areas of the City; and
WHEREAS, cities across the country are also pursuing Active Street initiatives, such as Austin, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, San Diego, and Portland; and
WHEREAS, now is an ideal time to reconsider how we prioritize roadway users on underutilized roadways where vehicular traffic is temporarily reduced; and
WHEREAS, the recently updated Complete Streets Ordinance (O-19-64) adopted City policy stating streets are for all users who have a right to comfortably, safely, and efficiently use the public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the Mayor declared Albuquerque a Vision Zero city with the intention to reduce all roadway crashes that result in injury or death; and
WHEREAS, establishing some roadways for non-vehicular users supports the Vision Zero initiative by creating slower, safer streets for all users.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF
ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. The Administration shall collaborate with neighborhood associations, active living advocates, the Complete Streets Advisory group, local businesses, and the applicable City departments, including the Department of Municipal Development, Parks and Recreation, Planning, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion to identify roadways in the city to be temporarily dedicated for recreational uses and active transportation opportunities. These roadways shall be closed to vehicular traffic except for local traffic, deliveries, and emergency vehicles, through temporary barricading with consideration to allow residents to move safely through them. Roadways in all City Council districts shall be considered.
SECTION 2. The following criteria shall be considered, at a minimum, to determine whether a street would be a good candidate for the Active Streets Initiative:
a. The street does not carry transit services
b. The street is classified as a collector or local street
c. Access plans shall be considered for roadways that have abutting businesses, including the need for on-street parking, space for takeout, dropoff, pickups, or outdoor table service.
SECTION 3. The Administration shall identify the first set of roadways within two weeks of the adoption of this Resolution and shall make the City Council and the public aware of what roadways have been chosen. These roadways shall remain closed until the current public health order and all social-distancing directives have been lifted.
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