Residents concerned Monroe restriping a safety hazard

During the public comment period of Buckeye City Council’s meeting Tuesday, two Buckeye residents expressed concern regarding the city’s restriping project on Monroe Avenue.

The first resident said she believes the lack of a turn lane has become a safety hazard, especially for Buckeye Union High School students who use that crossing. She suggested the installation of a traffic light or similar feature.  The second resident, a District 2 homeowner, also expressed that "a lot of people are unhappy with the Monroe changes." She said the development seemed abrupt and the decision-making process appeared to be made by the city with limited citizen involvement. 

According to data provided by the city, the Downtown Buckeye Specific Area Plan team created a newsletter with more than 4,000 subscribers, mailed information regarding public meetings to 1,952 downtown property owners, received 865 responses from a survey and had 440 attendees at its open houses.

The city hosted 14 engagement events and ran a social media campaign which it estimated reached 77,000 accounts with 11,000 engagements.

An Aug. 29 update on the restriping project garnered 231 comments from residents, most of whom said they were were frustrated by the changes or said they did not agree with the direction the city was going with traffic modifications.

"I’m all for adding a new, good change for Buckeye," wrote Kailey Radachy. "However, I feel as though this new change coming to downtown buckeye took a step in the wrong direction.

"What a fantastic idea to want to bring more people to Buckeye, but take away some of the street parking AND make it only a two-lane road."

"I've lived here my whole life and I'm all for making Buckeye better but this one-lane road both ways/unsafe parking you are trying to promote sucks," wrote Will Garza. "I was at 4th and Monroe the other day and trying to turn north and could not for three lights because the traffic was so horrible and I'm not about to be in an accident by turning during a red light because everyone I've seen run them in order to not wait. I felt safer closer to the curb with two lanes of traffic. I think you need to rethink this whole street parking crap and come up with something better. If anyone wants to start a petition with me I think it's time to voice the concerns before someone gets hurt or worse and/or waste tax dollars."

Others, however, said they liked the changes and appreciated the lower speed limits and added pedestrian space: "I like what they're doing downtown," wrote Doran Hunger. "The lower speed limit is better for pedestrians (and for the safety of my kids, who sometimes cruise around down there on their bikes), and I like the idea of more space for pedestrians, businesses to have outdoor seating and space for shops. Looking good."

"I live in downtown and think the changes are only a problem for the people who sometimes drive through town speeding and have to slow down and can no longer pass the people driving the 25-mph speed limit," wrote Miranda Wassa. "There are alternative routes if driving thru town doesn’t work for you, just saying."

"Our downtown is old and rundown and decrepit; this new design is for vintage and historical and charming," wrote Stephanie Kisner. "Not sure this is being done in the right order, but I'd be happy to be wrong. I'd love nothing more than for our downtown to be a great place to be."

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Council approved the DSAP in October 2023 after about two years of development. It details plans and strategies for land use designation, public infrastructure and transportation projects, branding updates and economic development to attract new businesses and fill vacant buildings. It was created with three phases: short-term for the first one to three years, mid-term for years four to seven and long-term for years eight and beyond. 

There are 29 total items in the Downtown Specific Area Plan, including developing a consensus-built branding plot; establishing a downtown public art program; preparing for future parking needs; making roadway, streetscape and gateway improvements. 

The project is split into five stages, each with individual phases. The city is currently in Stage No. 2 of the Monroe plan. Learn more about the individual stages in InBuckeye’s previous coverage of the Aug. 22 Downtown Buckeye Streetscape meeting HERE.

CITY RESPONSE

At the council meeting, Orsborn requested that City Traffic Engineer John Willett speak with both residents who presented during public comment. InBuckeye reached out for comment from Willett and the city's public information department on September 18. There has been no response as of today.