Protecting Our Walkable Streets

Urban street scene with crosswalks, pedestrians, bike lanes, trees, and buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Rendering of proposed improvements proposed in the TIRZ 13 Mobility Plan along Washington Avenue at Silver Street

Our neighborhood was designed for people, not cars. The TIRZ 13 Mobility Plan states, "The Old Sixth Ward predates the automobile... the district's 300-foot blocks and dense street grid catered to a community that walked everywhere they needed to go." Recent investments in crosswalks and traffic calming at Washington & Silver were made to enhance this walkability.

A gas station works directly against this vision. It is a car-centric business model that will:

  • Increase vehicle traffic at an already busy intersection.

  • Create dangerous conflict points between cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

  • Undermine plans to make Silver Street a safe bikeway, a key recommendation of the TIRZ 13 Mobility Plan.

The Link Between Gas Stations and Crime

Community safety is our top priority. In a recent survey, 85% of Old Sixth Ward residents cited crime as a key concern with this project. Research supports this concern. Studies have shown a positive relationship between crime rates and the density of outlets selling alcohol for off-site consumption, a staple of modern convenience stores. These locations can become magnets for loitering, vandalism, and more serious criminal activity, threatening the safety of our residential streets.

References:

1: TIRZ 13 Mobility Plan: https://old6wardtirz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TIRZ-13-Mobility-Plan.pdf

2: Toomey, Traci L et al. “The association between density of alcohol establishments and violent crime within urban neighborhoods.” Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research vol. 36,8 (2012): 1468-73. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01753.x