The MPO has looked into this in great detail and I would guess that the folks from WVDOH that will be at the meeting were involved in those conversations as well.  My impression is that moving the steam lines and other utilities under University Ave are probably more costly than the improvements that would be made.  

The grade does not allow for lowering the road but the most cost-effective measure would be a combination of lowering the roadway and then raising the pedestrian mall up to a level at grade with the entrance to the Mountainlair.  The problem here is on the other side of University where the grade drops off again to head down to E. Moore Hall and the other buildings.  The issues that could not be resolved at the time with this concept was how to screen off pedestrians from just crossing at any point like they do now.  Do you put fences or hedges up that steer people to use the overpass?

The one thing that was looked at more than anything was to make Grumbeins Island a pedestrian only mall with movable bollards for emergency vehicles and to route traffic around the Mountainlair using Price, Willey, and Maiden Lane all as two-way travel lanes.  This was in conjunction with a widening of Beechurst so I don't know if the travel models would raise red flags - my guess is that they would.

Look at the bottom of page 15 here (http://www.plantogether.org/documents/consultants/Roadway Alternatives Summary.pdf) for summaries of both these items.  This is from the initial screening of projects during the last plan at the MPO.

Not an easy solution by any means.

Chet

On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 1:50 PM, Director <director@positivespin.org> wrote:
Good morning,
I concur (and have suggested previously) that the current street level should be turned into a mezzanine with the roadway lowered to allow vehicles through underneath, and regulated to a speed that permits safe sharing with bikes.  As far as moving utilities, I suggest they do it - or at least get an honest estimate of what it would cost to do it.  Half-measures and ineffective solutions are expensive too.

Nick


On 1/28/2011 2:37 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote:
Bicycle Board Members,

Any ideas for improving Grumbein's Island for cycists?

Frank

Begin forwarded message:

From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw@yahoo.com>
Date: January 28, 2011 2:15:48 PM EST
To: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl@comcast.net>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso@mail.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson <randerson@hsc.wvu.edu>, Jon Bond <jbond3@mix.wvu.edu>, Ilana Chertok <ichertok@hsc.wvu.edu>, Stan Cohen <Stanley.Cohen@mail.wvu.edu>, Chuck Coole <ccoole@hsc.wvu.edu>, Jan Derry <jderry@nwvcil.org>, Dave Harshbarger <harshbargerd@wvuh.com>, Dwight Harshbarger <dwight.harshbarger@gmail.com>, George Lilley <mgranlil@verizon.net>, Regina Mayolo <reginam@verizon.net>, Jon Miltenberger <kokiri4ever@msn.com>, Jennifer Noori <thenoorinater@gmail.com>, Bill Reger-Nash <wreger@hsc.wvu.edu>, Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource@cheat.org>, Jimmie Simmons <Jsimmons2642@yahoo.com>, David Small <dsmall1@mix.wvu.edu>, Maria Smith <mariasmith@busride.org>, Don Spencer <dspencer36@comcast.net>, Martha Summers <msummers@hsc.wvu.edu>, Angela Wiley <wileya120@gmail.com>
Subject: Grumbein's Island meeting

Fellow pedestrian advocates. I have been invited to attend a meeting with many constituencies to discuss the future of Grumbein's Island (pedestrian area in front of Mountainlair) next Friday at 10:00 AM. The invitees include:
Terry Hough - City
Don Spencer - City
Roy Nutter - City
Christaan Abildso - City
Bryan Radabaugh - State
Alanna Slack  - State
Perry Keller - State
Bill Austin - Mgtn/Mon MPO
Rick Colebank - Alpha Assoc
Chuck Branch - Alpha Assoc
Charlie Luttrell - Alpha Assoc
Rob Moyer - WVU
Nelson France - WVU Student
Bob Merow - WVU
Hugh Kierig - WVU
 
Please submit any suggestions prior to that meeting. Frank, I could especially use some bicycle design ideas for that area (I've also requested that you be invited).
Best,
Christiaan
 

Walk more, safely

 

Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board

Christiaan Abildso, Chair

Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair

http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm





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-- 
Nick Hein
Director, Positive Spin
803 East Brockway Ave
Morgantown, WV 265605

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