Multi Modal Plan hits streets
Durango is coming into the homestretch on its multi modal plan.

On Monday, the city’s Multi Modal Advisory Board released its Draft Multi Modal Master Plan for public and city official review. The plan, three years in the works, goes next for consideration before the City Council, which is expected to vote on it later this spring.

This draft includes a summary of the plan’s vision as well as maps of existing conditions, deficiencies, and proposed changes to the city’s alternative transportation infrastructure. A bicycle master plan was one of the requirements for the city to reach Gold Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists. It was awarded the Silver Level in 2009. However, rather than merely do a plan for bikes, community members and the city decided to include other alternative modes of transportation and focus on implementation and not just policy.

“We are embarking on this to ensure we can improve the quality of life for all of the residents and visitors of Durango,” Amber Blake, the city’s multi modal coordinator said. “Places that are friendly to all mode users provide a much higher quality of life than those that are focused primarily on the automobile.”

In addition to improving quality of life, the plan is also seen as a means to reducing vehicular traffic, thus cutting down road maintenance costs and carbon emissions.

Since 2009, the city has held 10 public meetings to collect data and input on the plan. In addition to the public meetings, audits of the city’s transit, bicycle and pedestrian networks were done to identify existing conditions, problems and potential solutions. The input was then used to identify the overall goals.

Among the plans’ goals are:
- Develop an accessible, interconnected and safe system of walkways, bikeways and transit routes
- Transit stops within a 7-minute walking distance from any point in the city
- In-fill missing sidewalk and bikeway segments and enhance transit stops
- Integrate walkways and bikeways with transit and parking
- Make it possible for a middle school-aged child to access transit, walk or bike independently throughout the City of Durango
- “15?minute neighborhoods” whereby inner city point-to-point travel takes 15 minutes or less.

Among the ideas  to achieve these goals are: bicycle boulevards, low-volume, low-speed streets that prioritize bicycle and pedestrian traffic; signed bike routes; bike boxes, extended bicycle lanes at intersections that require drivers to stop further back; additional bike lanes and “buffered” bike lanes, which include an additional 2 to 3 feet of space between bikes and cars; curb ramps, to provide access from the sidewalk to the street; intersection improvements; and facilities such as transit stops, bus storage, bicycle and vehicle parking and multi-use trails.

For the complete Draft Multi Modal Master Plan, go to http://www.getarounddurango.com/multi-modal-master-plan/

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Next Wed., April 18, Parks and Wildlife hosts a “Bear Aware” training workshop at 6 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

“We live in bear country, and we can all take some simple steps to minimize conflicts between humans and bears,” said Pat Dorsey, area wildlife manager for Parks and Wildlife. “Volunteers are extremely valuable for spreading the Bear Aware message.”

Black bears are one of Colorado’s most iconic and beloved wildlife species. Yet the same traits that endear them to the public often get them into trouble, resulting in relocation or worse, euthanization. As a result, state wildlife managers rely on volunteers to help teach others how to coexist with black bears and take steps to minimize bear encounters. These “Bear Aware” volunteers answer questions, offer practical advice and even make house calls to help neighbors.

At the workshop, participants will learn bear biology and behavior, how bears are managed by the wildlife agency, and causes of bear-human conflicts. Then volunteers will be trained to assist Parks and Wildlife staff in presenting Bear Aware education to the public. Volunteers will also meet one-on-one with homeowners, staff booths at community events and make public presentations.

“There will always be bears in La Plata County and it’s more important than ever to learn to live with local wildlife,” Dorsey said.
For info., call 247-0855, or e-mail Leland.flores@state.co.us.

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“Communication today must be accomplished with less and say more than ever,” Geoff Wolf, owner of Wolf Direct Marketing and chair of the Alliance’s Marketing Committee, said. “This brand leverages the International brand equity of Durango as well as the essence of its culture. It is both simple and powerful.”

Nationally, there is a growing trend to brand products and services coming out of a region, according to the Alliance. It is hoped that the “I’m from Durango” logo will place La Plata County in the forefront of the new trend.

Local businesses can use the brand on their products, packaging and online. A website for the campaign, www.imfromdurango.com, will feature businesses that use the logo, providing a brief description and a link back to their webpage.

“The goal is for people everywhere to be able to find goods and services made here in La Plata County,” said Roger Zalneraitis, executive director of the Economic Development Alliance. “At the same time, we also hope to raise recognition that you can be a successful business in beautiful Southwest Colorado.”

The Alliance is also planning on rolling out sister campaigns for “I’m from Ignacio” and “I’m from Bayfield.”
For more information, contact the Alliance at info@yeslpc.com

– Missy Votel