I fully support Open Streets, Streets Alive, etc. type events.Overcoming the street closure fear has been a challenge, but can be overcome. One idea from past meetings was to piggyback off of a parade permit - in theory, the street is already closed - and add on an evening farmers market with music to go along with the Open Street.  Glad to see some inspiration and effort on this idea.Christiaan "When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

On Thursday, July 12, 2018, 11:46:59 PM EDT, Jesse Heady via Bikeboard bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com wrote:

Bill,

This sounds like a great idea! I am not on the board but I am eager to talk with anyone in town, with the city or citizen advocates, about Open Street type festivals. Certainly something could be organized to promote inclusion of cycles and enthusiasts for the July 28 event!

On July 12 I have asked for some time to speak with the bike board regarding:

- develop a plan for community-based, organized and executed bicycle and foot traffic public events mirroring larger cities like Atlanta and Pittsburgh to include:

- daytime, multi-part community rotating street festival that encourages foot traffic and bicycling with vendors and businesses on city streets and neighborhoods - evening time bicycle course with emphasis on community interaction, connection of neighborhoods, artistic expression and movement, and light-based decoration of bicycles — this event could be executed on the trail easily, though lighting, visibility, and safety are important considerations.  I am certain certain these are not new ideas, and especially the street ride portions would require plenty of calls and permitting, however I believe strongly that Morgantown would benefit as a whole community from this sort of regular event. For inspiration, please take a look at the reference events I’ll share with the larger group on July 12:

https://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/ https://atlantamoonride.com/ https://openstreetspgh.org/http://openstreetsproject.org/ Thanks for your time and support. I am looking forward to using the new bridge!!

Sincerely, Jesse Heady

(404) 314-9787

On Wed, Jul 4, 2018 at 7:24 PM Bill wm_a_kawecki@comcast.net wrote:

We're planning a community celebration of the new pedestrian bridge on Saturday July 28th from 11 to 3. We will have music, water, perhaps some food trucks and whatever else we can put together. Would the bicycle board be interested in doing some sort of event? If nothing else would love to see you there to celebrate with the neighborhood associations.

Thank you, Bill Kawecki

Sent from XFINITY Connect Application

-----Original Message-----

From: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com To: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com Cc: jesse@heady.name, JRuff@jmt.com Sent: 2018-07-04 5:03:57 PM Subject: [Bikeboard] Bike Board: July's meeting POSTPONED until July 12th - call for agenda items

Howdy Board, Happy 4th - as the subject states, our typical first Thursday meeting is postponed until July 12th. Please excuse any inconvenience! Our meeting will still be held in the Public Safety Building but we might need to swap rooms. I'll double check tomorrow and report back when I issue the agenda. Current potential agenda items:- Presentation of an updated historical crash analysis by F. Gmeindl- MPO combined bike/ped plan RFP- Existing construction project updates (Mon Blvd, Van Voorhis, 2018 Municipal Paving)- People for Bikes Fall Grant Cycle- Updates on search for new board membership & leadership- Events planning- OpenStreets style festival proposal In the meantime, perhaps I'll see you all downtown in the next hour to ride in the July 4th parade? Or perhaps on Friday morning at 11am to participate in the ribbon-cutting of the new Decker's Creek pedestrian bridge? Cheers!Drew