HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-Public Comments Handout #2
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BASELINE AREA BuslNFSS Assoc~'f!Pto/ A1 .
B}in . .. Making Th Diffi 1.38
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Several years ago the San Bernardino City Public Wodes Dept in their
Maintenance Prosram reslll'faced Baseline. Much like "D" street is having done now. It
seemed to take forever, but it was worth it Baseline became, and still is anew looking,
smooth street, with no cracks and few patches. The patches we have are around manholes
and intersections.
If an irrigation system is installed to water the trees, the street would have to be
trenched This would result in unsightly patches running on both sides of the street from
Waterman to the Freeway. Patches, we are told, not only leave ridges, they wash out in the
rain. This leads to deterioration of the pavement Why at a cost considerably over
$100,000.00 .hould we Ie",. up ..new lookins, "",ooth olreello pul in.. ilTigation "Y.lem?
We can accomplish the same result another way and save precious moneys by doing the
following. One member has a watering truck, and another has bought 7 lightweight plastic
and fiberglass containers with spigots on the bottom. These containers hold from 30 to 200
gallons of water, and can be carried in any van or pick-up. We have been working with the
2 local elementary schools to develop an education prosram in which the students will
adopt a tree and help with the watering. We are hopeful that this interaction between
business people and students will be a positive step in reducing vandalism, srafiiti and
create respect for other's property.
We are told that the trees need to be watered for only 2 years, but BABA members
are committed to water as long as it takes. If our plan were to wI, and there is no reason it
should, the city already has a precedent set in which they use watering trucks to water trees
in other parts of the city. Even this would be a mnall fraction of the cost of tearing up and
patching this beautiful pavement.
For years we on Baseline have complained about our sidewalk's deplorable
condition. Over 5 years ago a city employee came ont and identified with red/orange paint
the areas that needed to be replaced or repaired. He told us that they would be repaired
within a week or two, as yet they haven't been. The paint has even worn off Quite often
we see a pedestrian trip or full because of the sidewalk's condition. We hold our breath
and pray they aren't hurt. So f8r no one has been seriously injured and sued the City or the
business located behind it The City has a repair budget to take care of this kind of
problem.
We as business people have learned to use money thriftily and wisely, to pinch
every penny. Hence the following idea: To plant the trees, you must cut the sidewalk. This
requires men and equipment Why not plant the trees at the same time, thus saving time and
the City's money. Two jobs at one time; before any one is sued because ofan injury on the
sidewalk.
Attached are a few representative photos of the sidewalks on Baseline between the
freeway and Waterman. One photo shows one of several deep holes where the patch has
washed out exposing stoplight wires at an intersection.
The City's 0\1111 survey shows that all we need to meet SAFETY Guidelines (city
code and Cal1r"uns regulations) is to add about 2 Light poles, cle&'l the fLvtures, retrofit
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light housings and put in a new type of bulb. This would cost between $6000-$12,000. We
request that the CITY BLOCK GRANT moneys appropriated to our Business District for
use specifically on Baseline from Waterman to the Freeway and 10th Street to 16th Street
be used immediately. We have been working on this for over 2 1/2 years, it's time to do the
work As individual businesses, we are in various stages of planning, remodeling, putting
out bids, painting, changing signs and lights; ail according to the Master Plan. This plan,
paid for by EDA and drawn by Richard Pope will accent the ART DECO Theme prevalent
on Baseline..
Please accept this Itltttlr as Official Notification that sidewalks must btl repaired As
business owners we will not accept the liability for injuries caused by the unsafe
conditions of the sidewalks.
Bastlline Area Business Association
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