Prescott Alternative Transportation

Prescott Alternative Transportation
History of Accomplishments

STREET & TRAIL PROJECTS:

Prescott Greenways:

Our very first project, identified as highest bike/ped priority in 1997
Brought together enthusiastic partners including City of Prescott, Open Space Alliance, Yavapai Trails Assoc. and Prescott Creeks Preservation Assoc.
Coordinated volunteer trail builders with City of Prescott to clear West Granite Creek Park and build first few miles of trail and bridges before funding
Coordinated fundraiser auction with partners in 2000 and administered park bench fundraisers bringing nearly $20,000 to fund first few miles of trail
Wrote and submitted four federal transportation enhancements applications (’98, ’99, ’00, ‘01) before finally securing $500,000 in 2001for trail extensions to White Spar Rd., Miller Valley Rd. and the Peavine Trail; the newest section of trail (from Willis St. along Granite Creek to Leroux St.) is completed June 2009.
We continue to help with trail maintenance, extension efforts, and coordination of committee; we are able to include certain elements of trail enhancements in Safe Routes to School funding requests.

89/69 Interchange Bicycle & Pedestrian Path:

In 1999, we began our push for this 10-12’ wide paved path to serve bicyclists and pedestrians in all directions of the interchange.
PAT staff walked the site many times with ADOT staff to identify the best alignments and design for the path, repeating these consultations throughout the years as the interchange design changed.
Wrote and submitted two federal transportation enhancements applications in 2000 and 2001 before securing nearly $600,000 in federal funds for this path.
Once funding was secured, PAT representatives checked in regularly to ensure the path, serving all directions with optimal design, was included in the design.
As of spring 2008, ADOT officials are proudly displaying the inclusion of this path in the interchange design, including all of PAT ideal recommendations! Completion is set for fall 2009.

Peavine Trail:

We have assisted the City of Prescott with two federal transportation enhancements grant applications for this trail.
PAT staff and volunteers took part in the first trail building efforts, from clearing railroad ties to refining the trail amenities after it opened.
We continue to offer our assistance for extensions into Prescott and Chino Valley, as well as connection to the Greenways Trail.
(2009) New developments in the north part of Prescott are proposing new roads be built – several of which are to cross the Peavine Trail. The City is looking to develop a policy for how to address these crossings; PAT strongly spoke out against at-grade crossings to protect the safety of trail users and to maintain the integrity of the trail experience.

Merritt/Montezuma Traffic Light

In 2000 Organized residents and business owners through petitions and expert letters to convince City of Prescott of the need for this light as an integral component of Prescott’s bicycle and pedestrian transportation system.

WhippleZuma, Willow Creek, Iron Springs, Black, Williamson Valley Bike Lanes and Sidewalks

In 2000 began discussions with City officials to include bike lanes and sidewalks in new road construction designs for these roads.
Periodically revisited each road design with City officials until road construction was complete to ensure the bike lanes and sidewalks were indeed included.

Prescott Bike Route Signs

In 1998 assisted City of Prescott with state grant application for $5,000 to purchase first signs
Worked with PAT representatives and partners to map priority routes.
Worked with City staff to identify best sign placement.
Coordinated volunteers to install first route signs throughout Prescott.

White Spar Road:<>

<>In 2001 began discussions with ADOT officials on ways to add bike lanes and sidewalks to this road starting at Copper Basin Road and extending as far south as funding would allow.
In 2002 wrote and submitted a federal transportation enhancements application to fund the bike lanes and sidewalks which was not funded.
In 2003 began working with Congress to secure federal transportation high priority funds for these bike lanes and sidewalks, but politics prevented success
In 2008, we have returned to working with ADOT officials on a new federal transportation enhancements application to fund bike lanes and sidewalks from Copper Basin Road to the Pine Cone Inn (this would be phase one of a four phase project to improve White Spar); the application was approved fall 2008!
Summer 2009, a TE grant for phase two of the White Spar improvement project will be submitted in partnership with the local ADOT district office.

Grove Ave:

Began discussions with Prescott College officials on ideal street redesign in 2004.
In 2008 we identified road diet and roundabout concepts to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and began writing a federal transportation enhancements grant application with the City of Prescott; the City declined pursuing this grant at this time.
We will apply to ADOT’s Roadway Safety Assessment program for the length of Grove Ave./Miller Valley Rd.

Copper Basin Road

In 2000 began discussions with the City of Prescott to include bike lanes and sidewalks in the road redesign.
In 2003 organized supporters of bike lanes; unfortunately the City Council was against encouraging bicycling along that road and voted against bike lanes

Sixth Street

In 2004 organized supporters of bike lanes; unfortunately the City Council was against encouraging bicycling along that road and voted against bike lanes
In 2008, through relationship with PBAC, we were able to encourage City traffic engineers to promote a road diet with bike lanes. PAT quickly organized supporters of bike lanes; unfortunately the City Council was against encouraging bicycling along that road and voted against bike lanes (although the road diet restriping was approved, which is still better for bikes than the previous configuration).
PAT is pushing City traffic engineers to revisit 6th St. after collecting data for a year post-restriping. Our understanding is that City traffic engineers will report to Council that safety can still be improved by striping a bike lane.

Gurley St.

After working with PBAC and the City’s Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC) on creating a formal process for applying for Transportation Enhancements grants, all collaborators agreed Gurley St. was a prime candidate for this grant. Summer 2009, City Council decided to not go forward with a TE grant application at this time

Complete Streets Policy

We are now elevating the discussion above road segments to the issue that bicycling and walking must be encouraged and provided for on all roads; long-term goal is to see adoption of a regional complete streets policy.

Hosted a successful Complete Streets Town Hall March 2009; four panelists presented varying views on the pros and cons of complete streets. The audience was afforded an hour for questions and comments; a report is being published. In the end, PAT is confident that a complete streets policy offers this region a great many benefits that outweigh any concerns raised; we are continuing our pursuit of a regional policy.

Helped secure over $4.2 million in federal transportation funding for the region:

$500,000 for extension of Prescott Greenways trail (see above)
$600,000 for 89/69 interchange path (see above)
Over $1 million for the Peavine Trail
Over $1 million for Prescott Valley paths
Over $600,000 for Prescott Safe Routes to Schools
$500,000 White Spar Rd. phase one

PROGRAMS:
Safe Routes to Schools

As of 2009 we have four local partner schools serving nearly 1500 students (plus teachers and parents)
Program offers safety education; encouragement activities to walk/bike more often; parent education; health education. >Specific activities/events include: Walk to School day events (October each year); bike rodeos; neighborhood forums; incentive-based contests (bike commuter challenge). Feature project: outdoor student-driven mural at Mile High Middle School; Miller Valley will create a similar mural spring 2010.
Through this program, we have strengthened our credibility and reputation with City traffic engineers, the police department, and City Council
Staff represented on statewide Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.
(spring 2009) Received first Infrastructure grants for bike/ped improvements around all four of our partner schools; total amount received on behalf of the City is about $470,000.
(2009) Efforts underway to begin expanding program into Prescott Valley and Chino Valley.

Bike Week/Month:

Launched this annual event in 1998 with bike rides and events for all
Beginning in 2007 moved to a full month of events format for the celebration, which has garnered good media and increased awareness

OTHER INITIATIVES:

We continue to assist the committee with their work, maintaining staff and/or Board member presence on the committee

Prescott Bicycle/Pedestrian Plans:

Wrote and submitted for approval Prescott’s first bike plan in 1998
Assisted with the rewrite of the bike/ped plan in 2003
In 2008, through PBAC encouraged a formal update of the plan (still in progress)

Prescott Bike Racks

In 2000, worked with City staff to identify priority spots and place a dozen racks In 2007 developed art bike program with start-up money from the Prescott Area Arts and Humanities Council; the first rack, a rattlesnake rack, will be installed in front of the public library in 2009. The library contributed nearly $9,000 to the unique art rack!

West Granite Creek Master Plan

In 2000 served on the Master Planning Committee to offer our bike/ped expertise.
Dexter Neighborhood Planning Meetings
In 2000, assisted neighborhood leaders with identifying priorities that included the Greenways trail, sidewalks, bike routes and bike/ped bridges.
In 2008 we continue our work with these leaders to ensure bike, trail and sidewalk successes are continued and more will come.

Gurley/Summit Intersection (2008)

Joined the neighborhood’s efforts to improve the crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists.
When the City’s traffic engineers rejected a specific request for a pedestrian-activated signal, PAT encouraged the City to see the larger problem – a dangerous crossing for peds/bikes and to look for another solution.
Participated in all conversations between traffic engineers and the Transportation Coordinating Committee to arrive at a desirable solution (which was implemented late summer 2008)

Prescott General Plan

Served on General Plan Committee 2002-2003 ensuring that the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians are represented throughout the document.

Regional Transportation Planning

Have represented bicyclists and pedestrians at meetings of the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Committee (CYMPO) since 1998.
Have offered our expertise for public transit since serious discussions began; currently represented on the committee advising the consultant hired by CYMPO to design the imminent transit implementation plan (2008)
Summer 2009, PAT director asked to participate in ‘mobility management’ committee to continue pushing towards a regional transit system (as CYMPO has put the effort on hold due to the economy)

Prescott Vision2050 Planning

PAT staff sat on the Transportation Committee of the Mayor’s Vision2050 planning process; comprehensive reports with specific recommendations were published by each committee. At a public open house, a great many votes were received for the committee’s recommendations to adopt a complete streets policy and to implement a regional transit system

UPCOMING/IN THE WORKS

(Sept. 2009) First annual Pedals & Pumps Gala – a fundraising auction and awards presentation banquet. CYCLE awards to be awarded to four individuals/businesses/organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to a higher quality of life by supporting a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community. Professional auctioneer/planner engaged to ensure success of fundraising effort.
(summer 2009) Bicyclist Education program drafted. Grants submitted to conduct series of Bike Ed. trainings for general adult cyclists and for those in recovery/rehabilitation facilities.
(summer 2009) Development of a pilot TDM (Travel Demand Management)-type program at Prescott College, which can then be replicated at the other colleges and even large employers in town, underway. Grants available through Prescott College.

Prescott Alternative Transportation is a registered non-profit 501c-3 corporation. Our mission is “working for a bicycle and pedestrian friendly central Yavapai community”.

Our offices are at 309 E. Gurley St, Prescott, Arizona (across from Washington School)

Our Mailing address is :
Prescott Alternative Transportation
PO Box 2122
Prescott, AZ 86302

Phone: 928 708 0911

Web: www.prescottbikeped.org

Board of Directors * PAT's Accomplishments * PAT supporters