A public meeting at ye olde library Thursday night will ask residents how they’d like to hit downtown Silver Spring’s new library — from the street, or through a bridge over Wayne Avenue?
The county’s planning department last month cooked up three different scenarios by which library patrons can lug themselves into the shiny new facility, to be built on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. That intersection (above) has received failing grades from the county and residents for shitty traffic jams and equally shitty pedestrian crossings.
To keep bookworms safe and cozy, MoCo exec Ike Leggett backs a pedestrian bridge over Wayne Avenue (below) connecting the new library (blue) with a parking garage across the street. A previous price guesstimate put the bridge’s price tag at $684,000.
But in December, members of the county council’s human services committee wondered if a street-level crossing would be the better way to go. If that joint drops, it would roll across Wayne between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street (below).
Some form of crossing is probably necessary because on-site parking will not be available at the new library. Both the county council and Leggett agreed in December that the Wayne Avenue garage would fit the bill without adding to the project’s $58 million tab.
The county could always go with a tricked-out crosswalk on Wayne near Fenton (below), which would consider the Purple Line mass-transit project. A proposed route rolls through the library’s ground floor.
Residents can put their two cents in at Thursday night’s meeting, starting at 7:00 p.m. inside the existing library (8901 Colesville Rd) The county will consider public comments later this month.
Renderings courtesy of MNCPPC.
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Obviously all Silver Spring sidewalks should be elevated and enclosed. Why should only library-goers be spared the dangers of traffic and exposure to the elements?
Judging by the renderings, does the MNCPPC expect Wayne ave to be renamed Abbey Road?
What a waste of money. The people who can’t walk to the Library are either going to take the metro/Purple line or drive. If they drive they will presumably park in the parking lot across the street at which point they will have to walk. What’s stopping them from taking the elevator to Wayne and crossing at a cross walk like everyone else? Oh right, those dirty brick sidewalks and unrully push-buttons that operate the pedestrian crossing signals. I brought the cheese!
You know we’ll pay all that money for a bridge and still have people dashing across the street in the middle of the block and against the lights.
A vocal minority will loudly support the bridge, as they consider it a consolation prize for their unheeded demands for on-site library parking. So what if the economy sucks and we have high unemployment. Build a bridge for us! Waaaaahhhhh!!!!
Maybe we can get the bridge into the stimulus package.
I love the Abbey Road images. I’m glad someone at the planning department has a sense of humor. I’d guess you need to in order to survive 50 charettes for every project.
Where will the entrance to the library be? This is important to know before deciding on which form of crossing to consider. If the library will be located at the corner of Wayne and Fenton then it would appear logical to go with the existing crosswalk at Wayne and Fenton. If the entrance will be more towards the Crescent Condos then maybe the pedestrian bridge might be more suitable. A mid-street crossing is out of the question. With the stream of traffic coming from both directions on Wayne as well as cars trying to enter and leave the parking lot, it would be suicidal for a pedestrian to try and cross the street there.
I’ve been reading all about this bridge drama, and I really, really don’t get it. Out of all the intersections downtown, this is probably the one I dread crossing the least. Crossing Colesville anywhere sucks, and crossing Wayne at Georgia isn’t great, but I’ve never disliked crossing this intersection. Compared to the rest, it’s tiny. I really don’t get why people are so hell-bent on this bridge.
Ummmm how about moving that pedestrian bridge over to south silver spring so people who live at the blairs, silverton, bennington etc can get to georgia ave without having to talk around everything. They need one there to go over the railroad/ metro tracks. People going to the library can cross Wayne at, oh I don’t know, the corner with the light? Are they really spending this much time on this?
JG that’s a great idea. I hope someone brings this up at today’s meeting.
That intersection does indeed suck, and I hate to cross it. It seems even worse than Colesville, because drivers expect Colesville to be a hassle, and Wayne as more of a sneaky getaway. Libraries are used by all kinds & ages of folks, including elders with mobility challenges. They also have meeting rooms that not-so-rich groups can get. If a bridge will help the people who can drive but not scurry as easily, it might be OK. I’m in good shape, I talk and take buses, I can run from the Hummers and the idiots who drive while texting. But I am not going to diss those who can’t.
“People going to the library can cross Wayne at, oh I don’t know, the corner with the light?”
Careful, JG. Sensible thinking like this could get you run out of town. I believe there are specific county statutes forbidding it.
“Libraries are used by all kinds & ages of folks, including elders with mobility challenges”
So is every other building type. That dosen’t mean we ought to segregate pedestrians from cars, because not-so-rich people are less able to afford cars and that would be unfair to them.
If a bridge going to cost $684,000, we could just pay someone to stand there full time and help disabled people across. It’d be cheaper.
These photographs would be much more accurate if they showed the cars mowing down the pedestrians in the crosswalks while making left on green onto Wayne from Fenton in either direction. We also could use some vehicles sitting stationary in the right lane with their emergency flashers on.
Editor’s note: Don’t expect complete accuracy when all four Beatles are strolling the crosswalk. — JD (Feb 5, 2009)
Rosslyn used to have a whole network of ped bridges. It was nice, if kinda confusing. Then there was Crystal City, with all the tunnels. In both cases, it was nice to be away from cars.
The Rockville library fronts onto a courtyard area. A street runs beside it that is much easier to cross than Wayne. It is not a big deal to walk from the parking garage to the library. Also, people holding meetings have materials to schleup.
Is crossing the street supposed to be some kind of penance? When I’m old I’ll still be able to scurry across. And I’m not going to judge the people who can’t. For example, I have a proud ped friend –no car ownership — who was slammed by a hit-and-run driver recently. She was badly hurt. If she gave up, got a car and started driving most of the time I would understand.
There is probably as much chance of seeing the Beatles crossing the street as there is of seeing an operational purple line train like in this picture.
Here’s a bit of info for everyone to nibble on:
According to people with the county’s libraries department, most of the people who use the Silver Spring library are parents with small kiddies. I guess they hit it during the week for story time or whatever.
David Dise, with the department of general services, argued that a pedestrian bridge would keep this population, as well as less-mobile people, safe from the elements. Accessibility equals use, he said.
Discuss.
David Dise, if that is his real name, it honestly sounds made up, should know that I will right now accept a position and sign a contract for 6 years at $114,000 a year to stand there during the library’s opening hours and help anyone afraid of “the elements” cross the street at the light. I will even wear a vest.
Say I went to Office Depot and got something that was awkward to carry. Could I walk up into the parking garage and use the bridge to cross Wayne? If so, would I have to go into the library? If so, would that be kosher? Or, would I find stairs or an elevator that would get me to street level in front of the library?
Several businesses on that side of Wayne, including the new pet supply place, sell stuff that is hard to schleup. So there might be an increase in sales tax revenue if peds lugging their purchases can avoid hauling their patooties and their stuff across Wayne.
JG – I’ll one up you and even have an umbrella on hand to weather the elements and wear the vest with pride for that kinda loot!
Let’s grow a pair people, $700k for a pedestrian bridge? Just walk across the road.
Does anyone else notice how LITTLE foot traffic there is to cross the street in the ped bridge from the parking lot to City Place Mall? It almost seems like a bigger hassle to have to go to the floor with the connecting bridge and then cross over than it does to simply walk to the front entrance…
Sligo I really hope they put in the Purple Line… Looked kinda pretty and almost urban – there I go daydreaming again.
A mid-block cross walk should be put in whether this bridge goes in or not — folks are already making the mad dash across the 5 lines with no media island for refuge all the time.
Here I go being contrary again, but I think the pedestrian bridge is a good idea. I mean, in terms of things we “need” when we’re talking about cost reduction, we don’t even “need” a new library. I mean, I use the old one now. I only go if I put a book on hold through interlibrary loan or something because they never have what I want and I always have to order it, but its serving its purpose for me now. I get books, I bring them back.
But I think the new library is a really good idea for the community, and hopefully by building it we’ll increase the amount of people that go. If thats the case, then that many people really shouldn’t be crossing with traffic. I for one don’t want a soccer mom with a stroller who decided to cross at the last minute stopping in the middle of traffic to pick up Jimmy Jr’s dropped binkie. They would have to re-time the lights for more pedestrian traffic, and that would increase the amount of cars waiting at the light, and the anger of motorists in that line trying to run a light at the last minute or make an illegal turn. And at rush hour, that road is really bad. Lots of people who will want to stop by the library on the way home from work will make more traffic there, and will make more people trying to cross the street. I mean just in general the library will increase traffic on that road, and people should have a safe place to cross.
The library is a long-term investment, and I think we should do this right the first time. God, if we tried to get something like this put in later when it turns out it is a problem, it’ll take 20 charettes, 16 years and another recession before it’ll happen. Let’s do it while we can.
Right on, Robin!
Robin,
Having little tykes myself, your point of view makes complete sence. What dosen’t make sence is how crossing a street to go to a Library is different from crossing a street to go anywhere else with shorties. Wouldn’t more traffic simply slow cars down, making it safer to cross? Also, drivers anger only mounts as their commutes drag-on, so imagine the anger people in the outter suburbs deal with when these people passing through downtown Silver Spring finally arrive.
If we have the money and it pleases some people to build the bridge, then by all means, but can we get something more attractive than an oversized metal truss?
I’d be curious to hear how library staff feels about this proposal, or if any have a preference for or against, as (I assume) those who don’t walk or use the Metro will drive to work and thus have to park in that particular garage. Currently there are designated parking spots for library staff in the lot; would a similar arrangement be made with the garage?
Breegez, we don need no stinkin’ breegez!
Thayer-D is right…there is no difference between parent/strollers/elederly crossing at the wayne/fenton intersection than in any other intersection. Save the money and put it to good use somewhere else. For crying out loud, how far are we asking people to walk to the intersection??? It’s not like we live in NYC with massive size blocks. And try jaywalking there!
While they are busy making bridges, I suggest building one over East West Highway by NOAA. People are always running across against the light there and getting squashed. Or how about connecting *everything* with underground tunnels. Cool!
Following up on Jenn’s comment, was there any thought of putting a tunnel under Wayne to connect the parking garage to the library? It might be cheaper than building the pedestrian bridge.
Is there anybody out there who studied the skywalks in Rosslyn? I think most of the buildigs they ran between have been torn down. They were pretty basic, just elevated sidewalks with railings, no roofs or windows. On a windy, rainy day they were uncomfortable, but at least kept the humans away from the cars. A network of skywalks might be better than a full-blown enclosed bridge here and there.
For cryin’ out loud Woodsider, this AIN’T NYC! New York has lots more peds, lots more transit, lots more taxis…and Central Park! Drivers in DC the area expect peds in DC, but not outside the District’s borders, it seems.
I’m totally with Woodsider – we’re not asking people to do something extraordinary to simply use a crosswalk. What irks me is the small distance that may be involved, just walking across the street from the parking lot to the library.
It’s not NYC but downtown Silver Spring is a dense urban community and with continued growth will continue (knock on wood) to do so. I don’t think there’s an issue about drivers unused to peds – but just for arguments sake – keeping them on the streets will be a quick way to educate drivers to watch where they’re going.
Why exactly can’t they just tear down the current library and re-build it on-site?
Am I missing something? Is the current library deemed historic?
it already has its own big parking lot
or they could just modernize the current library, put an extension on it, theres plenty of room in front of it to add on a huge modern extension, and they could modernize the current building if they dont want to tear it down.
why spend all this money to build an entire new library in an inconvenient location? people seem to get to the library just fine where it is now.
Actually, I like Fan’s points better than Robin’s. I hate the traffic noise on Colesville Road. Once I walk into the little library my ears need a few minutes to recover. But if it were larger, I would go more often.
Tdiddy said: “downtown Silver Spring is a dense urban community and with continued growth will continue (knock on wood) to do so.”
I would whack the Zalco building and build a larger office building. But off the top of my head, I don’t see any more spots for growth. We have more than enough apts. Even if the ones on the books are built, those residents will start to overwhelm our small neighborhood parks. The cities that have been losing population are the ones with room for growth; Detroit, for example.
Anybody seen the pedestrian bridge crossing E-W highway at PG Plaza? No one would use it and there was a solid stream of jaywalkers crossing 410 on foot. Finally they had to put up an eight foot high fence for the entire block in the median. An ugly solution to an ugly problem.
Fantastic example, Murph. Wayne Ave has a lot less (and in that area slower)traffic than EW Highway in Hyattasville, but the illustration works nonetheless. People often think they will use something if they were to have it, but once attained, it rarely gets used. It’s the same human nature that makes people people buy homes with oval soaking tubs. I’m sure I’ll get grief from the readers who thik I’m comparing silver springers to McMansion lovers (i’m not).
I forgot to mention…hyatsville has a serious pedestrian safety problem in that area…not enough crossings. We don’t have that problem–we have state of the art crosswalks at the two nearest intersections. Hell, there are even speakers telling you when to walk and when not to.
“People often think they will use something if they were to have it, but once attained, it rarely gets used.”
I definitely agree with that, especially with this bridge for the library. However, if a bridge were built from East-West Hwy to Georgia ave. to connect south Silver Spring with the downtown area I guarantee it would be used since people would no longer have to walk all the way around. It is a shame that our county “leaders” do not think this way…
Hey, there IS a South SS ped bridge over Ga., part of the RR overpass! It’s just that peds must walk under that funky underpass to get to it. I avoid that unless I am wearing shorter-than-usual pants, due to the puddles of urine. About that Hyattsville bridge, at a meeting a man who tried to use the bridge said it was essentially becoming a public toilet.
Which brings me to a point I have made before; why don’t we build public restrooms and hire some of those out-of-work people to clean them? Union Station restrooms are always clean, and nobody lingers there doing foot-tapping or God-Knows-What, people use the plumbing and leave. There are many ways we could spend a few $ here and there to maintain and improve what we have. Instead of building pricey ped bridges, improve on-the-ground crosswalks. Maybe arms coming out like RR crossiings, as another poster suggested.
“Hey, there IS a South SS ped bridge over Ga., part of the RR overpass! It’s just that peds must walk under that funky underpass to get to it”
If we’re both thinking of the same bridge then well, yeah, that defeats the entire point. If I have to walk down East-West Hwy, around the Tires of Silver Spring or whatever, down Georgia, under the underpass to go over a bridge, then why not just walk across the street when I get there? The point of a pedestrian bridge would be so you don’t have to walk around, tripling the time it takes to get there. A bridge would go OVER the railroad/metro tracks to Georgia so one would not have to walk AROUND everything.