LODI -- A community workshop to help identify desired street design improvements on Lodi Avenue from Sacramento Street to Cherokee Lane is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the LOEL Center, 105 S. Washington St.
The event, held by the City of Lodi in conjunction with the Lodi Improvement Committee, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and other local groups, is part of a project seeking to provide improved safety, mobility, access and community identity on this important local street. Spanish and Urdu translators will be available at the two-hour workshop.
“We’ll be asking community members to identify improvements that will make the Eastside of Lodi Avenue friendlier for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users, as well as motorists," said Paula Fernandez, project manager and senior traffic engineer for the city. "Possible projects could include sidewalk improvements, street trees, bus shelters, gathering and resting places, small parks, signage and public art.”
The intent of this project is to develop design guidelines that can be implemented as part of normal public works improvement projects within the proposed project area. This effort builds on work previously done in a Caltrans-funded project – the Eastside Mobility and Access Plan – that was recognized by the American Planning Association as a model for community-based planning.
“There is also a great opportunity for the Lodi Avenue project to be integrated with our study of transit-oriented development in the downtown area,” said Peter Pirnejad, Lodi's planning manager. "We want to make sure that Lodi Avenue can serve the neighborhood and the city well into the future by reflecting and enhancing its sense of community and cultural heritage."
Results from the Sept. 25 workshop will give planners and engineers information needed to produce a set of preliminary design guidelines and samples for future Lodi Avenue construction. Those exhibits will be available to review at a second workshop, tentatively scheduled for January.
Childcare will be provided at the LOEL Center, and light refreshments will be served. Free transportation is available from Lodi Dial-A-Ride by calling (209) 333-6806 at least 24 hours in advance for a reservation.
Be sure to monitor www.lodi.gov for further information on the Eastside Lodi Avenue Design Guidelines Project. Questions and comments may be mailed to Peter Pirnejad, Planning Manager, P.O. Box 3006, Lodi, CA 95241-1910. |
