Title
RESOLUTION RESCINDING THE DESIGNATION AND ESTABLISHMENT AS A ONE-WAY STREET THAT PART OF THE SEGMENT OF WEST MICHIGAN STREET BETWEEN 18TH AVENUE WEST AND 21ST AVENUE WEST.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that in accordance with the provisions of Section 33-17 of the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended, the segment of West Michigan Street between 18th Avenue West and 21st Avenue West is no longer a one-way street. This resolution will become effective only after said street segment has been posted with proper signage and striping, indicating the change in designation.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The city of Duluth has been converting one-way street pairs to two-way traffic over recent years in an effort to improve traffic circulation. There are three blocks that are currently one-way in the Lincoln Park business district area, on West Michigan Street between 18th Avenue West and 21st Avenue West. With the development of this area, several businesses asked the community planning division of these three blocks could be converted to two-way traffic to improve flow, reduce confusion and provide more direct access to the businesses.
Engineering reviewed the three blocks to see if the proposal was feasible. The existing roadway width meets State Aid standards for a two-way roadway with parking on both sides. Based upon low traffic volumes along this section, existing intersection controls are appropriate. The conversion would only consist of minor changes to signage and the addition of a double yellow centerline.
A survey was sent to area business owners to gather input on the proposed project. Overall, the majority of responses received were in support of the conversion. Businesses that were opposed had two common concerns, which were snow removal and loading/unloading. The snow removal concern has been addressed with city plowing staff, and the parking services division is working to review loading zones along the project area with business owners. The police and fire departments were notified of the proposed project and no opposition was received.
If approved, the businesses directly abutting the three blocks to be converted would be notified prior to the conversion, which would then take place during the summer of 2018.