BACA Minutes 2004

Ken Gould chaired the meeting.

Ken discussed the BACA Board meeting November 8 and a strategy to address the lack of progress on River Trail. Ken, Gene Pfeifer, Monte Cole & Rob Lambert spoke with Bryan Day who said a delay was caused by problems with the contract for the railroad right of way, which will be considered at the December 7th Little Rock City Board meeting; 6:00 p.m. Bryan Day would like BACA members to attend City Board meeting. Bryan also said that they should be laying asphalt on trail behind Peabody in January or February, weather permitting.

BACA has obtained copies of the Little Rock Bicycle Train Master Plan from LR Parks and Recreation. The map shows both Class I separated trails and Class II and III Trails alongside roadway or shared roadway. We will be reviewing these and monitoring progress on signage, etc.

The Share the Road campaign may not be able to develop and offer a specialized license plate because of the lawsuit over procedures for approving such plates. The possibility of a front license plate and/ or bumper stickers are also being considered. Steve Shepherd has been doing preliminary work on that. Also going to review Master Plan in terms of signage.

The Bicycle Master Plan has recently been completed.

River Mountain road has been repaved and Ken has been in contact with Bill Henry from the state Transportation Dept. about getting a bike lane striped. The roadway may be too narrow for a separate bike lane.

Ken and Gene are continuing to work on getting a bicycle activated light installed at the intersection of River Mt. Road and Cantrell roads.

Ken reported that he has been contacted by Pinnacle Valley Preservation Coalition about the sewage treatment plant to be constructed by City, specifically at a site being considered off Richard Road and BACA's aiding the Coalition in objecting to the site selection. There was some discussion about whether or not BACA should become involved. While there may be reasons to oppose the site, the impact on bicycling would be negligible or none at all. It was agreed that BACA would not take an official position.

Several issues were discussed relative to progress on the river trail and the lock and dam bridge projects. The proposed schedule is for the bridge to be completed by August 2006.

An historic cemetery at end of the bridge on the Little Rock side may require some rerouting.

A temporary trail is being built to allow for continued trail access during bridge construction, and also to divert trail traffic around the cemetery.

There has been concern voiced by anglers who fish from the base of the dam on the North Little Rock side. Corps engineers assured anglers that construction wouldn't interfere with their fishing.

The program, coordinated by BACA Treasurer Steve Shepherd, featured Little Rock Police Officer and Bicycle Patrol Coordinator, Sergeant Ralph Jackson, and Little Rock Police Chief Lawrence Johnson. Sergeant Jackson is also responsible for training all LRPD bicycle officers. Both speakers stressed the importance of bicycle trails and safety. They encouraged BACA to work with Police Department to develop public awareness program, and to consider offering bicycle safety training to the public. The possibility of using LRPD resources to co-produce PSAs on bicycle safety could be explored.

Additional business

Monte Cole has been working with the League of American Bicyclists to bring a program, or programs, to Little Rock to allow people to certify as cycling instructors. While there appears to be interest among the BACA membership to be certified, both introductory and advanced portions of the training would need to be offered locally.

There is apparently some money in the highway transportation bill for safe streets to schools programming.

Ellen Brownlee is working to put together and air PSAs. BACA may consider expanding those efforts to work with LRPD.

Respectfully submitted, Mark Taylor BACA Secretary

About 60 people in attendance.

Ken Gould made a number of announcements: There's a fundraiser for BACA member Charlie Hight who is running for reelection as a NLR Alderperson for Ward 4 at the Cornerstone Bar in NLR, on Tuesday, September 28, 6 to 8 p.m.; $25.00 donation at the door gets you free beer. Charlie has been an active BACA member and an advocate for bicyclists' interests, particularly in the NLR side. Judge Buddy Villines has reported that the new trails in Two Rivers Park have been completed. There are about 4 miles of new trails that run next to the Arkansas River and Little Maumelle River. Judge Villines wants to have BACA members lead an opening of the new trails on September 11 at 10:00 a.m. Ken reported that the City is trying to arrange for purchase of the Union Pacific land for completion of the Medical Mile. He stated that the City and Board of Directors needs to know of our support for the contemplated lease-purchase agreement with the Trust for Public Lands & that BACA members should call, e-mail or write the Mayor, Board of Directors & City Manager. Ken distributed a memo explaining the issue. The memo had attached a list of contact information for the people to be contacted. Friday, September 3 is First Friday Bike to Work day. Meet at I-430 bridge at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday 9/7 - Ozark Society - former assistant secretary of interior Hays will speak about Kerry's environmental policies including answering bicycling written questions Ozark Society asked Ken to submit. At Unitarian Church, 7:00 p.m.

Program: Dave Roberts & Barry Williams of Roberts & Williams Landscape Architectural Firm & Ken Eastin of Eastin Outdoors spoke about plans for completion of the River Trail from the Rebsamen Golf Course to the beginning of the Medical Mile (by the Baring Cross Bridge). They investigated different options for first portion of route. The levee on Rebsamen Park Road (Riverdale area ) is the easiest & safest option. The Trail will need to cross over by Harvest Foods to go in front of Junior Deputy Park. The levee will need to be reconfigured. In addition, there will be a 12 ft wide asphalt path with concrete edge (not gravel shoulders). From Jr. Deputy to Rebsamen - they met w/ Gary Greene of Levee District & got its approval to move forward with the trail for that portion. They reviewed 2 options for the Cathedral School portion (in front of the Cathedral School is no longer an option) - (1) behind school & north of the RR tracks. There would be a pedestrian/ bike bridge next to LaHarpe vehicular bridge with a hairpin turn loop ramp needed to get down to the Medical Mile grade. (2) under Cantrell overpass & then adjacent to Comcast, south of RR tracks & cross track by new bridge south of the train station & then by the train station at grade to the Medical Mile. Question: Which route hooks in best to neighborhoods? Only area is by Deaf School - both routes would address that. Both would have great access from neighborhood. Cantrell Bridge (1st option) - 120- 150 ft long; Markham Bridge (2nd option) - 350-400 ft long. There would be about 750 to 1000 ft difference in 2 route bridge (2nd option longer) and about $150,000 to $200,000 difference in trail. But does not include the cost of the hairpin turn loop ramp needed to get down to the Medical Mile grade. Need trail 50 ft from railroad track (required by UP) 1st option is probably less expensive; need to consider leases & purchase agreements. Neither option should meet resistance from Cathedral Episcopal School. City has advised not talking to UP about Cathedral Episcopal trail issues that would affect the RR until Medical Mile title is transferred by UP. Started engineering process on first 2/3 of section of Trail. Want to do all under one contract. Want one contractor to do it. Anticipate 6-9 month design time & 16-18 month construction time. Want trail built before Bridge built. Now about 3 months behind. 2nd option proposed would get to other neighborhoods. Would have spur to State Capitol. 1st option would require bicyclists to slow down for the hairpin turn loop ramp & the ramp would have a much steeper slope. First option might be able to be modified with spur to State Capitol. Rob Lambert: need to have city finalize purchase of land east of there (Medical Mile). Have to have medical mile completed by June 2005 in order to qualify for $110,000 grant that city got. Need to let City know of BACA members interest. BACA in design contract as to have say into where Trail goes. Roberts & Williams is also designing Master Pedestrian/Bike Plan for County. So give them input about that. In early stages - did workshops in different parts of county. Just in the getting information stage. Want to work with state highway dept. that when repave will consider wider shoulders. One year study, started 3 months ago - will produce route maps - master plan for next 10 years of phasing. Jimmerson to Pinnacle - foot bridge crossing Little Maumelle to Two Rivers (probably first phase). Connect municipalities in county by Trails.

About 62 people in attendance.

Cindy Chambers reported on the Tour de Cure ride on October 2 sponsored by the Diabetes Association

Board members Monty Cole & Ellen Brownlee are working on a Share the Road campaign, with the purpose of educating motorists & cyclists about rules of the road. They presented proposed share the road signs to be posted in areas where bicyclists ride and there are problems with traffic. They also want to develop bumper stickers; static cling stickers for windshields. They are looking into specialized license plates. Charlie Hight has lined up Jay Martin as legislator to support license plate legislation. Also Sam Ledbetter may help.

Steve Shepherd gave a treasurer's report. $2,016 in the bank account.

Ken Gould, BACA President, made several announcements: An update on the Pat Lynch radio show. Through efforts of BACA Board Member Gene Pfeifer, Dr. Rob Lambert, Ken Gould, & NLR Alderperson Charlie Hight were on the show for about an hour. The City is still trying to repave River Mountain Road . We will try to get at least one bike lane on that. Gene Pfeifer is working on getting a bike sensitive device or switch so that bicyclists can cross River Mt. Road & Cantrell. There are new signs on River Trail stating rules of trail which are basically those proposed by Ellen Brownlee. If you see them, and like them, call Mark Webre at LR City Parks & Recreation

Guest Speaker: Terry Eastin Terry Eastin is a consultant to LR Parks & Rec. Dept,; partner in Eastin Outdoors (trail design company); & coordinator of Headwaters Partnership. Headwaters Partnership has been important in the completion of the River Trail. The Partnership is a coalition of 27 federal state, county and municipal organizations, both public and private, supporting of the River Trail. BACA is a member. The Headwaters Partnership(1) promotes Ark. River Trail Project & (2) facilitates construction. Among the activities of the Headwaters Partnership are a number of events, creation of a visitor's brochure and donation brochure, promotion of the Medical Mile from River Market to Baring Cross Bridge. St. Vincent's Medical Center has already contributed $250,000 for creation of a Plaza, the Partnership is in negotiation with BlueCross/ Blue Shield to provide lighting for the mile, other organizations are buying kiosks along the mile, which Terry described as an outdoor health museum. It will include interpretive kiosks, benches, medical information , light poles with messages. The idea is to convey the message of Better Health Through Trails. Terry Also noted that Tim Vahsholtz, a BACA member and Channel 7 employee, has helped produce public service announcements.

Terry discussed the progress of plans to complete the Trail in the vicinity of the Cathedral Episcopal School. The City hired Roberts and Williams, a landscape architecture firm, to explore various routes. 3 different routes were explored. The area behind with Dillard's was eliminated. They have explored the area in front of the school, and behind the school. Ken has explored an area behind the school which would be south of the Railroad tracks. It is very much in the conceptual stage but it is a very exciting route. The State complex could be tied into the route, and the State might be able to provide some support. Furthermore, Arkansas Children's Hospital, which is building a gym facility for underprivileged children, has $25,000 for a trail. It might also be able to access the trail.

Issue of bridge over the tracks, as well as ownership of the land needs to be explored and addressed. Discussion of possibility of a temporary route up by the Deaf School and onto Markham, until money could be raised for a bridge.

Ken reported on the progress of the Lock and Dam Bridge. The bids came in a little higher than the County had hoped for but Judge Villines thinks he has the money to make up the difference. Construction of the bridge should start around October. Part of the Trail by Murray Lock and Dam might have to be closed to construct the bridge. Ken also reported that the Leveee District will approve an easement for construction of the trail along the levee from the end of the golfcourse to the warehouse district.
Next meeting is September 2. Ken asked for ideas for speakers.