We got maps from the city, and made work packets which we marked up ( I will get these scanned in when I get a chance). We had several meetings, and the letter below was sent to councilman Moore and the other members of the Public Works Committee. It was dated June 3, 1998.

RE: Cordova Road Sidewalks

Dear Councillor Moore:

Overwhelmingly the three neighborhood associations along Cordova Road (Don Diego Neighborhood Association, Don Gaspar Neighborhood Association and San Mateo Neighborhood Association) prefer a redesign of Cordova Road from what amounts to essentially a 4 lane freeway, running through the heart of our neighborhoods, to a boulevard that honors the residential character and allows for a human scale to be brought back into this area.

To achieve this, one of the four lanes should be translated into pedestrian amenities including sidewalks, bike trails, landscape buffers, bus stops, etc. The advantage of this idea is that the city would no longer have to acquireright-of-way (R-O-W). The three lanes could be comfortably redesigned for more efficient traffic uses other than the dangerous break neck speeds that currently exist. We would prefer a street design comparable to the northern section of Old Santa Fe Trail or Alameda Street, which carry similaror greater traffic volumes. Narrowing Cordova Road to provide two driving lanes, and a left turn lane only at signalized intersections, is particularly important because there is absolutely no shoulder alng Cordova Road. Pedestrians must, and do, walk in the traffic lane.

We in the DDNA do not feel that an arterial has to be defined solely as a freeway but can instead be defined as a boulevard with human scale, graciousness and sane speed. But realizing the likelihood of achieving a project of this scale or acquiring the necessary political will would be remote to nonexistent, the DDNA offers several easier interim solutions of varying cost listed below in their order of urgency.

Priority One inludes two urgent problems
1. LUISA TO MORELIA
Provide a continuous, accessible sidewalk on the south side.
There seems to be adequate R-O-W for sidewalks on the south. However, there are traffic light poles which must be relocated.
2. GALISTEO AND CORDOVA INTERSECTION AT THE ROSE GARDEN
Provide a safe, accessible intersection for pedestrians and cars.
Define traffic lanes and accessible pedestrian crossings in all directions. We recommend this intersection be more clearly defined by extending the Rose Garden and closing Galisteo Parkway to through traffic.

Priority Two
LUISA TO GALISTEO
Provide continuous safe, accessible sidewalks along both sides.
This includes the recommendations of Priority One plus providing about 500 linear feet of sidewalk on the north side and about 300 linear feet of sidewalk on the south side. There is adequate R-O-W for a 4'-5' wide sidewalk without removing any existing trees, and property owners are willing to work with the City to find the best sidewalk alignment.

Priority Three
GALISTEO TO DON GASPAR
Provide continuous, accessible sidewalk along the north side.
This includes the recommendations of Priority One and Priority Two plus the redesign of one block, between Don Diego and Don Gaspar.

We see two options here to avoid impacting the residents along the north side. There is 1-3 feet of R-O-W available from the back of the curb to residential retaining and privacy walls. We believe it is inappropriate to spend money buying R-O-W and moving private walls to bring the street closer to the front doors of our neighbors.

One option would be to reduce the four driving lanes to two driving lanes with a left turn lane (about 100 feet long) for cars turning south to go down Galisteo. This option would be within the scale of typical sidewalk projects.

The second option would be the realignment of this block to move the roadway toooo the south and thereby allowing adequate area to build a safe sidewalk on the north. This second option may go beyond the scope of typical sidewalk projects, but both these options reduce impacting the north side residents and provide a safe solution until the entire road can be fully redesigned.

Priority Four
DON GASPAR TO OLD PECOS TRAIL Provide continuous, accessible sidewalks along the north side. This includes all the previous priorities, plus a continuous sidewalk on the north side which is most used by pedestrians.

Priority Five
ST. FRANCIS TO OLD PECOS TRAIL
Completely redesign and rebuild the road as a neighborhood boulevard.
Provide two driving lanes with left turn lane at signalized intersections, improve road alignment for cars and pedestrians, provide sidewalks on both sides, improve retail entrances, provide landscape trees, relocate utilities, correct drainage problems an hopefully reduce traffic speeds.

Thank you for reviewing our proposal and we look forward to working with you and other committee members on this project. If you should have any questions (...)