Can you speak a little louder so everybody can hear you, sir? Or excuse me, Mr. Chairman. Will you instruct the witness to speak louder. (Laughter.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So moved.
One, accident analysis; two, capacity analysis; three, geometric review, intersection alignment or terminal points of one-way -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I will now ask that you read a little bit slower.
Geometric review, intersection alignment of terminal points of one-way street systems roadway width; four, parallel streets; five, speed data, 83 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 travel time delay; six, travel volumes, ADT, peak hour travel volumes, turning movements. B, criteria. One-way street may be established in [sic] the following conditions are satisfied. The traffic demand can accommodate in both -- be accommodate in both directions. Whenever possible, adjacent parallel streets should be used to form a one-way couplet, street has a reasonable number of intersections for an entrance or an exit from the one-way streets or the one-way system. The roadways at the terminal points of the one-way streets provide satisfactory transitions to and from the one-way -- to and from the two-way operation. There will be a reduction in vehicle traffic conflicts at intersections. There will be a reduction on intersection delays. Existing mass transit routes can be satisfactorily accommodated. Emergency vehicles can reasonably and expeditially 84 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 [sic] reach their destinations. Then C, reference. See Section 75 PACS, Sections 3308 and 6109 A-4, relating to one-way roadways and rotary traffic islands and specific powers of department and local authorities.
And as a result of all your hard work, did you reduce the number of accidents, traffic accidents?
They remained the same. So that nothing was accomplished, except you chased away a lot of people and made life inconvenient for thousands of Philadelphians, and you decided to turn over management of the Streets Department to the District Council members. That's what you achieved? Because your report says it made no 22 difference. Your report says you can live with it. But the report doesn't say we recommend continuance. You said -- Your report says we can 85 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 manage with it, and that there had been no 3 increase of problems. One would expect there to be a sharp decrease in problems when you reduce traffic 80 or 90 percent. And why didn't you mention all the streets, like Elkins Street? You don't mention a thing about them. That was a question, where are the streets, the other streets. Isn't Woodstock Street nearby? Isn't Lambert Street nearby?
There's a number of streets that are not really affected. Most of the traffic is either on --
Well, the people there say the streets that before were livable are no longer livable because traffic -- the traffic that was not eliminated has to find some other way and 86 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 they go through all these little streets. Nothing -- I'm told the kids used to play in the street in Elkins Avenue. It's also just one block, that whole street. And now the kids can't play because traffic comes through there. Traffic goes wherever it possibly can go. But why do you -- You know, what I can't understand, Mr. Denny, is how you -- Streets Department says everything it does has to be in consort with PennDOT regulations. And yet, the only thing you do is to accept the instructions from a District Council member, apparently, or this District Council member or the Mayor. But the only one you've said was in touch with you was the District Council member. And you accept that. Why do we need -- Why do we need a Streets Department making studies? Because you don't seem to have equipment. You didn't know what the study required until you read into the record. 87 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Did you do everything PennDOT said you should?
Councilman, I'd like to answer that, if I could. Again, Joseph Sernick. I take exception to the way you've characterized what we've done.
Well, take all the exception you want. Just give the people back their street. That's what they're asking for.
And stop being so high and mighty that you don't listen to people.
The Streets Department made a professional traffic engineering study. (Mr. Cohen began speaking simultaneously with Mr. Sernick, not reportable.)
They did not make a 88 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 judgment based on the request of anyone. They made a professional traffic engineering study --
-- professional about it at all, and you know it. For three days they had some kind of a little counter, and they had nothing to compare it with. And they were at least honest enough in the report not to mention fake streets or fake studies that were never made. All they did was three days they had a counter, and they counted cars. I don't know what it showed them. Certainly did nothing about the stories the Daily News is writing about safety for kids in public schools. You endanger the lives of the kids at Central. You don't care about them.
Again, Councilman, I think that's -- 89 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 (Councilman Cohen began speaking simultaneously with Mr. Sernick, not reportable.)
That's not correct. There was a lot of study put into this. We understood that this would be a very controversial issue right from the beginning.
Well, what was controversial? For 40 years it had been the same. You changed it, didn't you?
I understand that. And we understood that the change would be controversial. And therefore, we -- we -- we -- we took --
Weren't you interested in how the people felt. Why didn't you send people out to talk to the neighbors?
We had plenty of input from the neighbors. We were trying to make a professional -- 90 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 (Councilman Cohen began speaking simultaneously with Mr. Sernick, not reportable.)
Has anybody in the audience been interviewed or discussed things with? (Chorus of no's.)
And Councilman, that would not be the appropriate approach from the Streets Department. It's not a popularity contest. We're not taking advice from anybody. We're doing a professional --
People have a perception that it's important for them to be able to get out of their house in case of a fire, like Ogontz and Olney had. They ought to be able to get out of that house and shoot down the Expressway.
And Councilman, it is important. And that's why it's important -- 91 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
-- that institutions are as important as the people. The people that live there are the important people in Philadelphia. And that ought to be recognized. And not the institution. Maybe people can't put in campaign contributions like institutions can, but for that particular reason they need even more support.
Did they give you money, Councilman? Did they give you money? Because they certainly didn't give me any. Okay. (Boo's in the audience.)
Did they give me money? (Members of the audience speaking simultaneously, not reportable.)
Prove it. 92 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Prove it.
Prove it. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Sernick. Are there any other questions for these witnesses from the Committee?
Why is it that they didn't mention even about the auto pedestrian traffic problems, that there were three facilities over three years and the same seem to exit? Why was there no reference to the auto pedestrian problems?
IN the statistics we were using, we had total crashes and we had breakdown of injury crashes. We didn't have a breakdown of injury pedestrian. Injured pedestrians would be part of a general injury crash category. And since we were going from 12 injury crashes to 12 injury crashes, it did not -- there was no 25 change in injury crashes. 93 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
In the last three years, how many auto pedestrian accidents were there at 20th and Olney? In the area that you would consider 20th and Olney, because I understand that you go only by intersections.
I was only looking at the four-month periods in my evaluation.
Didn't you state in the report you gave to us prior to the final report that there were three pedestrian auto accidents?
In your final report you didn't say it, but you had it in a preliminary report.
Did you have a conversation about the number of accidents with Ellen Berkowitz, an attorney on my staff?
I was asked some 94 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 questions about pedestrian crashes, yes.
And did you not say to her, when she asked you how many accidents there had been, you said there had been three in the last three years?
Yes. And that was for full years. That was not for four months. I gave her a total breakdown of the three years at that one intersection.
And that you would feel justifies changing the life of thousands of people in Philadelphia, to meet an institutional request? Is that how the City of Philadelphia sees the people of Philadelphia? An institution makes the request because there's one accident over a period per year of adults, and there are hundreds -- seem 95 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 to be hundreds of accidents of ordinary school-age children, public school children, and deaths occurring regularly? Weren't there two deaths even last week of school kids by accidents?
Well, it was reported in the press. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Denny, let me ask the question in a different way. If your report, your survey, your study were to have in any way indicated any increase in traffic, whether they be among vehicles or pedestrians, would your conclusion have been the same?
If there was an increase in crashes? Probably not. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Probably not. So you did take into consideration pedestrian safety as part of this overall issue that we're talking about.
As part of the total crashes, yes. 96 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And not because of any sponsor or request by a District Council person or any institution did you in any way, as I said earlier, skew your findings or your study to reflect that. And I certainly don't think so; but I want that --
Mr. Chairman -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- again, to be perfectly clear for the record. So if there was there was an increase as to the one-way street versus the two-way street, that would have been reflected in your study as well.
Was there anything in your report that said the Streets Department recommended this change? There's absolutely nothing in your report that says that, and you're dead wrong in creating the impression that it does say 97 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 that. All your report said was that you accepted it, the Streets Department accepted it. You could live with it.
Well, sure. You didn't recommend it. You never said it in your report that you recommended it. And that's after your so-called studies. And your only study in your report lists a three-day study by counters; isn't that accurate?
Normally when we have a change in direction of the street, that's the answer we give. Unless we have a reason to oppose it, we say we have no 19 objections. We don't normally say we support a change in street direction.
Well, you said you'd accept it; you could live with it. Sure. Chase away all traffic everywhere, and everybody could live with that, except the people that have to get 98 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 someplace. Why did you limit the check to three days? What's significant about three days? There's nothing in PennDOT that says three days, does it?
We place traffic counters on a normal pattern which is a three-day pattern. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And that's consistent with other surveys?
Well, Mr. Chairman, on the other surveys, I have to tell you that I received a letter following presentation of those subpoenas, where the Streets Commissioner's asked for more time to try to get everything together. And we're going to need time when that bill is called up later in Law and Government and Streets, the joint thing. I will ask that that matter be continued to give her time to get everything into us and get us a chance to study it. Because right 99 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 now there are no standards. The only standard he used was the three-day study. Incidentally, were you out there at any time? Because anybody that's out there has to admit how orderly the people have been in the community, how with these five years they conducted themselves with dignity, and have worked closely with the police, to make sure there was no 11 interference with whatever was left of the traffic. Isn't that right? Is there anybody here from the Police Department? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I think you missed a subpoena.
Yeah, I think we missed -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: You let one get by, councilman. You're slipping, Councilman. You let one get by.
This is only the beginning. This battle's gone on for years. Nobody can take away the right of people to protest against unjust actions of 100 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 either a Council member or the whole City. So this decision by the Streets Committee, which seems inevitable, since apparently District Council members are here for the purpose of uniting to protect each other in case they make mistakes to make sure nobody will catch onto it, and they'll all vote in support of each other, if that's the way they want to do it, that's fine. That's what they did on the political poster bill. And the Federal Court threw it out, as will happen in this case, too. All right. Now I'd like to... What do you do the rest of the time? In three days you spent -- (Laughter.)
And then you talked about. You made it five months. What do you do the rest of the time? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Specific to surveys, Councilman; not necessarily what they do with their time. Specifically -- 101 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 (Laughter.)
Okay. To the survey. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. All right.
That's what I mean. What are you doing there? You only spent three days with their counters, and you have no other method of -- You didn't report on anything else you did. So what do you do when you're there?
We did observe the area. We checked the traffic crashes which was our primary area of concern for those four months. And then in the four months from the previous years.
I don't know. It seems to me the Streets Department is a great job. You work three days in five months with counters, and you do nothing else. It seems like a pretty good job to have. All right. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No further 102 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 questions for these witnesses?
Not now. We have a lot of other witnesses. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We will now proceed with bringing up Mr. Ed Turzanski, please, the first witness.
I would ask, Mr. Chairman, that the witnesses remain here -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yes.
-- so they could reply. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It is... Well, they're several hours away now from starting a new day. It's now Thursday morning. Good morning, everyone. VOICES IN THE AUDIENCE: Good morning.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Please identify yourself for the record. You've been with us all day as well.
Thank you, Mr. 103 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Chairman. Good morning. My name is Edward Turzanski. I'm the assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations at LaSalle University. And as per Chair's request, I have copies offer my testimony in writing, 9 which I'd like to submit at this time. 10 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. 11 You can proceed, please. 12
Thank you, sir. 13 On behalf of Brother Michael 14 McGinnis, President of LaSalle, the 15 Trustees, faculty, and nearly 6,000 16 students, more than 45,000 alumnae of 17 LaSalle University, I wish to express our 18 sincerest thanks to you and this Committee, 19 for allowing to us testify in behalf of 20 Bills Number 040560 and 040561. We respectfully ask for your support in voting for their passage. As has been mentioned, for the past 40 years LaSalle had appealed to the City of Philadelphia for help in addressing what 104 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 had been a growing safety and security problem experienced by pedestrians and motorists alike on 20th Street between Olney and Belfield Avenues, a one-block segment that the University occupies on both sides of the street, and on which there are no private homes. It should be further noted that the speed and volume of traffic on this segment of 20th Street posed a serious safety hazard to anyone traveling through the area, including LaSalle students and staff, and neighbors residing in the immediate community. Previous administrations and their Streets Departments, beginning with Mayor Tate, have recommended and supported the complete closure of this segment of 20th Street as the best way of dealing with these safety and security problems. Our Councilwoman, Donna Reed Miller, however, insisted that we find another way to deal with the problem, other than completely closing off the street. 105 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Working with her office, with Mayor Street and his administration, including, as has been mentioned, City Managing Directors Marks, Richman and Goldsmith, with the City Streets Department, with the Architectural firm H2L2, and most importantly with block captains and neighbors from the immediate area, we came to the compromise reflected in these bills. Let me be clear, Mr. Chairman, LaSalle's preference would have been to completely close 20th Street between Olney and Belfield Avenues. Competent traffic safety and engineering professionals still believe that a complete closure would not have posed any serious problems in the area, and it would have been the best way of dealing with the safety and security concerns on that street. But we also recognize and respect the leadership of Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Street, and other elected officials, and the views of those neighbors with whom 106 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 we have worked for a period of 27 months prior to the implementation of this test, to build a consensus on the compromise position of making this segment of the street one-way one lane northbound. And based on the test period, we are reasonably satisfied with the results, and we believe that our students and our neighbors are safer for them. In fact, when LaSalle worked with the City and Red Cross officials to serve as an evacuation center and command post to contain the effects of the Friday, February 13, 2004 gas fire at Ogontz and Olney Avenues, the reconfigured 20th Street posed no problem for police, fire and rescue equipment and personnel to provide quick and effective response. Our participation in the task force City Managing Director Goldsmith instructed Fire Commissioner Hairston to convene, for the purpose of studying the incident and identifying best practices to be applied to other situations, confirms that under the 107 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 worst and most unlikely of conditions, the reconfigured 20th Street worked as needed. In part, this is why we believe that a large but silent segment of our immediate community, we think a majority, supports this measure. But there are those who do not. Their main concern, as expressed to us, and as mentioned by a member of this Committee, has to do with the inconvenience caused by losing the use of this local street as a quick throughway, usually to the Route 1 Expressway. Mr.
Chairman, given that people of good will and reasonable intellect can disagree on things such as a traffic pattern on one block of one street, one would hope, nonetheless, that all would concede that the safety and security of large numbers of individuals, even if they include students along with neighbors, trumps the convenience of having a quick throughway to an expressway or anywhere else, and that the people who visit, live 108 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 and work at LaSalle are entitled to a safe and secure 20th Street. It should also be noted, Mr. Chairman, that some people have tried to exploit this issue for narrow political advantage by organizing individuals and interests far removed geographically from the neighborhood at 20th and Olney, and that these persons have focused on intimidating, insulting and provoking LaSalle students, such as the ones who were here with me earlier this evening. They are also tried to intimidate supporters of ours who believe that safety and security are more important than convenience. Thankfully, Mr. Chairman, we enjoy the support of enlightened leaders who believe that safety and security need not be a zero sum game, where one side wins out over the other. We thank those leaders: Mayor Street, our District Councilwoman Donna Miller, Governor Rendell, Congressman 109 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Brady, State Representative Evans, members of this Committee and Council, and many other government, business and community leaders, including the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, who have recognized the need to help LaSalle and its neighbors come together to achieve this and other worthwhile quality of life goals. On a final note, Mr. Chairman, we ask that this Committee please consider that LaSalle is important to the quality of life for all who live near 20th and Olney. It employs nearly 1200 people, more than half of whom are City residents, and 200 of whom live in the surrounding community. 7 million annually in wages taxes to the City, and the University spends more than $12 million each year with businesses located in the surrounding community. LaSalle enrolls nearly 6,000 tuition-paying students, with approximately 4,000 bringing tuition and tourism dollars 110 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 from outside Philadelphia. More than 300 neighbors study at LaSalle, and another 700 use the University's library and athletic grounds each year and without cost. Also, LaSalle is using its own funds to build a $26 million resident's facility, to take students out of homes in the neighborhood and bring them on campus. And it plans to build a $30 million state-of-the-art science and technology center in the next five years, all employing union labor. LaSalle does everything it can to contribute to the quality of life of all those who want to live, work and study near 20th and Olney. But it must be understood that the configuration of 20th Street through its campus affects LaSalle's capacity to make that contribution. The nursing, tutoring and other community services performed by students, faculty, staff, and alumnae, and the 111 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 desperately needed development dollars and jobs LaSalle brings to its community, are made possible by the human and financial resources that come with a stable environment. That enrollment is determined by our ability to provide current and prospective students and visitors with a safe, clean and welcoming campus and neighborhood. Bills Number 040560 and 040561 support that ability by making 20th Street between Belfield and Olney and the surrounding neighborhood safer for pedestrians and motorists. On behalf of everyone affiliated with LaSalle, thank you. And thank you to the members of the Committee for hearing this testimony. We would be most appreciative of your understanding and support.
Additional information has been included in our written testimony, and I will gladly answer any questions asked. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. 112 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Turzanski, for your testimony. And I do appreciate in the back part of your written testimony, a breakout of what LaSalle University means to the City and the student body in the neighborhood, in terms of employment, tax dollars, et cetera because those are questions that we normally would ask of you. Save some of us that time. So thank you for that.
Thank you, sir. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I just have one question at the moment. In your testimony on , Paragraph 3, you site for the past 40 years LaSalle's appeal for helping the City, et cetera, what had been a growing safety and security problem experienced by pedestrians and motorists. Could you explain to me the issue of security? I think I understand the issue of traffic as best I can, not really knowing the neighborhood. But security is something I'm concerned about. And how does this configuration or this one-way street help with that security issue? 113 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
Mr. Chairman, because the street had been a throughway, and because of the volume and the speed of traffic, and because of the large number of students' vehicles we have, and two major parking lots adjacent to the street, and just the large number of people moving from our main business building and our main campus on the one side of 20th Street, that being the east side, and our library and dorms on the other side, what we've experienced is a large number of break-ins, automobile thefts, and attacks on individuals, in which 20th Street was used as a quick thoroughfare in and out of the area. So as the police described it to us -- and this is their parlance -- a target-rich environment on which you had a thoroughfare where cars could move very quickly in and out of the area, making it difficult to try to prevent these crimes from occurring or apprehending those responsible. That, in part, speaks to the 114 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 security question.
That's an absolute defamation of the whole neighborhood; and you know it. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Excuse me. Councilman. Councilman.
And there's no 9 truth whatever to anything you said about that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman.
You're maligning the whole community. He put out a burglary alert one day. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman, please. I'm trying to Chair this meeting at this early hour of the morning. You'll have your time for questions. Please just let the witnesses finish. Yeah; I think I'm familiar with that kind of experience. I know we -- we -- when -- there is a facility, shopping malls, as an example, that are close to interstate highways. Those are the places that seem to have the higher -- 115 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
And Mr. Chairman, if I may make it very clear, we are not talking about our immediate neighbors. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Talking about --
I want to be -- And I did -- And I did say that clearly, and perhaps it was not heard clearly. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: People from outside the area.
But we're talking about -- Exactly, people from outside the area who use the street as a quick thoroughfare in and out. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I understand that. And again, I understand that from surveys and issues that are spoken about often where malls are located next to interstate highways, that they have the highest number of auto thefts.
I'm a resident in the Franklin Mills Mall area, and that's what we experience there. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. I can 116 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 understand that. Thank you. Questions for this witness? Councilman Cohen.
You know, a, is it the reason that you're charging that 20th Street is used as a getaway street -- I gather that's what you're saying or other, whether the getaways are people in the neighborhood or elsewhere. But when did that get born, that idea? Because until very recently your institution never mentioned that. You only mentioned the auto accidents.
-- that indicated you had not been telling us all the facts --
-- about vehicle accidents. 117 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
In our discussions, going back to the Tate administration, we had mentioned a number of problems. Most of them have to do with pedestrian and vehicular safety. The real security problems that came in -- (Councilman Cohen began speaking simultaneously with Mr. Turzanski, not reportable.)
No. Mr. Cohen, there are accidents that LaSalle security has had reports on, in which individuals do -- choose not to report the accidents to the City. That does happen. So I would suggest --
At times, sir, depending on what the person has in mind. 118 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 For instance, there is a litigation under way right now in which both the University and the City have been named by an individual who was struck by an automobile. It's not prudent for me to speak beyond that, but just to say that it has happened. And then the last three years we have had four students who have been seriously hurt in accidents on 20th Street.
I thought you said three in three years. Now you say four in three years.
No. I said that 119 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 there were four pedestrian accidents in a three-year span, sir.
It's really hard to believe and take you seriously. In view of the news stories that appear about the dangers to public school kids, you're saying that four accident in three years in your location constitutes a safety threat?
Mr. Cohen, we have a very large number of people who are regular students and employees in our campus and who are visitors to our campus who cross 20th Street, the people who live in the area and cross that street, especially pedestrians on a regular basis.
Tell me what people cross the street down below 20th Street south of Olney Avenue because all you have is tennis courts on one side. You have -- At the corner you have the library, and then tennis courts. And then you've got nothing. So --
Mr. Cohen, I'm 120 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 afraid that you do not -- you do not understand the nature of our enterprise and the large number of people who come to our campus, not just to study but also to conferences, to academic programs. We have a very large number of people from outside the LaSalle community who are visitors to the area who cross that street.
And you can't cross a little street that's no wider than from your desk to the rear window or from your desk to our desks here?
Mr. Cohen, the volume and the speed of the traffic that we had experienced over the period of time -- (Mr. Cohen and Mr. Turzanski began speaking simultaneously, not reportable.)
Well, sir, I will tell you that it is much different when you are walking across the street than when you are driving. And even for those who are driving, 121 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 it is a dangerous situation or was a dangerous situation --
And the studies show there's no difference, even though you've chased away 80 percent of the traffic, made life miserable every day for thousands and thousands of people because you're fearful that adults can't cross a small street safely, but that the students from Central and from Girls High and from the public schools --
Mr. Cohen, we had discussed this -- 122 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 (Mr. Turzanski and Councilman Cohen began speaking simultaneously, not reportable.)
We have discussed this step, prior to its being undertaken, with the Principal of Central, with principals of the other schools in the area. They expressed no concerns to us. And I must say that, again, we come before this Council hoping that the interests of our students, our immediate neighbors of LaSalle as an institution could be balanced which is why, as I said in my testimony, we had accepted the compromise offered to us --
-- from the community. You have compromised with yourself. You and Councilwoman Miller -- 123 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
Don't talk about compromise. The community wasn't consulted --
Sir, that is simply not correct. (Councilman Cohen and Mr. Turzanski began speaking simultaneously, not reportable.)
-- on a monthly 124 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 basis --
-- with our neighbors, with the Councilwoman, and with other elected officials. And we had a very extensive, long-lasting collaboration. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Turzanski, for your testimony and your patience. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, members of the Committee. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Next witness is Lanie Johnson. Miss Johnson, are you the lady with the video? Please step forward, please. How long is the video?
I'm trying to cue it. 125 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 I have various points on it. I'm not going to play the entire video. Each cue is maybe three minutes at the most, and there's four of them. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So, minutes 7 or so. All right. 8
Yes. 9 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Please identify 10 yourself for the record. Do you have a 11 statement to make prior to or would you 12 just like to show the video and then comment as you...
I would prefer to show the video, make brief comments about that and then I -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: As it's being shown. Okay. So, please identify yourself first for the record.
All right. Well, it is good morning, Mr. Chairman and Streets. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Speak a little built closer --
Service Committee. Is that better? I'm sorry. I'm not used to 126 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 microphones that much. My voice is starting to give out. I didn't expect to be here quite this long today. My name is Lanie Johnson. I am a resident of 21st and Chew which is a block over from 20th and Olney which is situated right directly behind the dormitories of LaSalle campus. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm not familiar with the neighborhood. When you a say a block over, east, west, north, south?
A block west of 20th and Olney. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And the traffic on -- 18
I'm at 21st and Chew. 19 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 20th Street is 20 now going which way? South?
20th Street is now going northbound only. Originally it was south and northbound. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Now it goes north. 127 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
All right. I do have the video. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Let me ask you while they're setting that up, traffic as it presently is directed, for those cars who would be turning off up 20th, would they be going in the direction of Chew Street which would be going west or is it going east?
The cars on 20th Street? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: If they were to turn off of 20th would they be going...
Well, they would go -- They can go east or west on Olney Avenue. 20th Street is a north and southbound street. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And Chew is?
Chest is an east and west street. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. Thank you. 128 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
I actually have a map, but I'm not sure if you necessarily need that. We do have a map that indicates the area. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I actually meant to take a ride up there this week, but because of the time we spent here, I didn't get a chance to get up there. I wanted to familiarize myself with it.
Okay. What I did, Mr. Chairman is -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Cohen just wanted to remind me that, according to him, I will have plenty of time over the next few years to visit it. So, I don't know what that means.
Okay. What I have, actually, with the video is to try to take the Committee to the site. There are particular areas on this video that indicate -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Can you turn that a little bit more that way (Indicating), I think, so the audience can 129 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 see that as well? That's good. That's fine.
This is going to show the area in question, and as well as the community and the surrounding areas that are affected, that we experience personally. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
We, you know, you know, not really into statistics per se, or I am not particularly. But I am talking about the human aspect of this. The first part of it is basically just an aspect to show that there are motorists on a daily basis, of course who aren't here right now, but are in opposition to this. Basically, these are cars that are going towards Broad Street. And that is the intersection of 20th and Olney. They are turning because of the detour there. That would be the southbound lane that they normally would be able to go down to and onto -- 130 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And I'm Looking down 20th Street now; is that where I'm looking?
Mm-hmm. Yes, you are. So this is a part of the group of motorists that do drive by each morning. If the sound were on, you would, of course, hear the honking horns in opposition, the fact that the street is closed and they can not. What they're basically doing is going down further to Ogontz Avenue which intersects at Central High School. And if they go an additional length, they would get to Broad Street, and then make a right onto Broad Street and go south into Center City. I would like to try to have that cued up. I don't know if anyone has the remote for that. I need to set it to the next section would be 014 to 015 which is going to take you from this point down to Central High School at Ogontz Avenue. Once we get to the 014, 015 section 131 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 of this tape, videotape, it's going to, of course, take you where those cars are turning down to Ogontz at Central High School. And this particular tape was done to show how the students, our young people under the age of 18, have to cross the street each morning on a busy four-lane street. Actually, I correct that. It's now a one-lane street each way. Ogontz was recently reconfigurated, which was one of the issues, because residents or motorists no longer have that option of a two-lane Ogontz Avenue. It was drastically reconfigurated. And it's only one way each way, with the turn lanes for left turn. All right. Actually, this went a little quicker when I was home. If you have fast forward, if it would help expedite this, I could give you a list of where I need those to go each time, as I talk. Okay. Just trying to get this one and then this one 132 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 (Indicating). Okay. Mr. Chairman, while this is fast forwarding, we videotaped on several mornings, at least once or twice a week, just to really get a feel for the different types of traffic patterns that were apparent, I videotaped this as well as two major other intersections. And if we ever get to the one at Central High School, it will be pretty significant. I'm going to move on. It's not going to work. I'll go ahead with my testimony. I got to do it quite faster at home. I'm not sure how the equipment works here in City Hall. Okay. Again I say good morning to the Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. I'd just like to report that how this all started with the experience that we've gone through the last several months. Basically, on December the 29th, a vital part of the roadway needed and the neighborhood was closed off. And on 133 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 January the 5th, 2004, that Monday morning, neighbors appeared in numbers in the dead cold of winter to oppose the barricading of the southbound lane of 20th Street at Olney Avenue. The only knowledge most received was by notice distributed within a day or two of the closing. A great deal never received a notice, such as myself at all. gov web site stated that the trial closing was anticipation of a permanent change, as though the decision had already been predetermined and it would happen. This is not exactly the political process that we would expect. We were also told, on the other hand, by the pamphlets that were put in the doors, that it would be on a trial basis. So we had two different accounts, one online saying that it was anticipation meaning that it was more or less 134 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 predetermined and it was really going to be happening. Since that time, the neighbors bore have demonstrated. And we have had numerous meetings. We've made calls to our City, our Mayor, our Council person and we've tried to communicate with our own Council person. Petitions now exceed 2,000 signatures and additional letters in excess of 400 have been given to Council persons and the Mayor. And to date we have collected an additional hundred letters. I have the original 400 letters.
Most of them were delivered to our City Council people at large, our Mayor, and so that they would all have a record of that information. Safe streets are important to the community for everyone, including for those on our campus area at LaSalle University. However, access for mobility through the area must not be eliminated. The area has lost many streets over a period of 135 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 time. For those not, you know, are not aware, there has been a history of streets that have been eliminated in that community. My own street, example, 21st Street at one time was open to Belfield Avenue, the same as 20th Street. There was a Cottage Lane which no 10 longer exists. There's a Clarkson and Penn Street which has no access any longer. 20th Street was opened in 1928 by City ordinance signed by Mayor Mackey. Obviously, if there was a need in 1928, then there's a much greater need in 2004, with the increase of vehicles. The Olney area and the Avenue is a diverse community of races, and there are many institutions along this corridor which warrants all available means of travel. We have a Germantown Medical and Emergency Center. There's a LaSalle campus, Central High School, Widener Memorial, Girls High School, Pennel Elementary, Logan Elementary, a nearby 136 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Belfield Recreation Center, and a route for two SEPTA routes, Number and 26. 4 If we add that mix with delivery 5 trucks and the eight-wheelers that travel 6 through our neighborhood, the motorist in 7 the emergency vehicles, we have a massive 8 influx, with limited means of mobility. 9 Firefighters have mentioned to me 10 personally that this full access to 20th 11 Street is important for firetruck ladders, 12 and that it is not wise to eliminate the 13 southbound use. 14 Ogontz Avenue lost one lane of 15 traffic due to the reconfiguration. The 16 two southbound lanes that pass Central have 17 been eliminated, and now there's only one. 18 The neighborhood has four lanes to use. And with the changing of 20th Street, it would be down to two accessible southbound lanes, one on Wister which is a narrower street, and one on Ogontz Avenue. We cannot -- Those two streets cannot carry the load, contrary to the information submitted by the Traffic 137 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 Department, and we know this and see that on a daily basis. That information is also a part of the segment which I had wished to shown you on the videotape. I have also not found any information and analysis that takes into consideration the results around the public schools. A report just this year printed by the Daily News reported that the number of dangers of children under and going to 13 school and how they deal with the traffic 14 on a daily basis. 15 In no case should we be diverting 16 more traffic in the directions of schools. 17 And I do not agree with their 18 analysis that the change has not had an adverse effect on the area. Suggestions to improve the roadway is what is needed to ensure safe passage. Speeding is an issue and a matter that is an ill that exists throughout this entire City. And every street in the City cannot be minimized because of it. 138 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 The laws that already exist and are on the books need to be enforced. And I would strongly suggest speed control methods be implemented. I ask, therefore, that the Committee not accept this bill which is Number 040560, but rather, that the Streets Department and the Engineering Department cease to be negligent in their duties, and indeed become accountable and investigate and create a safe street that will be able to assure the safety of everyone using 20th Street, and it remain two way for the entire community. Mr. Chairman, for the record I would also like to mention that when we started out earlier today, we were in anticipation of having an earlier meeting.
And unfortunately, we started out with 200 people here this afternoon, prepared -- many of them preparing to testify. And at 7 o'clock we were left with 60. And I'd just like that to go on file. 139 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you for your testimony. And I think it's quite noted by the members of this Committee that there were a larger number of people here earlier today. Unfortunately, when we had hearings, it's very difficult to predict how long they will take. But in the interest of all the folks who are involved in this, and have been for a number of years, we wanted to get this hearing under way once and for all. And unfortunately, it's taken a lot longer, in terms of time, today and yesterday because it's now Thursday, than we all anticipated. The video. Do you happen -- Do you have a video of what the traffic looked like when -- before the two way was turned into one way?
I wouldn't necessarily have that because we didn't anticipate this occurring, unfortunately. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I was just 140 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 curious if there was anything to compare it to. All right. Any questions for this witness from the Committee?
I have one question. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Cohen.
I have here -- and I'd like to ask you to read it to identify it. You've got a note from a public school student?
We do want her to testify. This young lady has an exam in the morning, and she has unfortunately been here all afternoon and evening with us. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm sorry. I was distracted. The teacher, I understand, has left.
The teacher had to leave. However, the student has been very dedicated to us, is still here, and has an 141 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 early morning exam or in a few hours an exam. She's scheduled to speak next. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: In the interest of fairness, I'd also like to note that earlier this evening, there were some -- a number of students from LaSalle University who were here as well, certainly not the great numbers that the community is. But there were students from LaSalle present as well, but they had to leave also.
And many of them are in favor of the community feeling. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I wouldn't know that because I didn't have a chance to talk to them. But I said, in the interests of fairness, that there were students here as well. And I'm not sure whether they were pro or con on this. Any other questions for this witness?
Well, I'd like her to read that into the record. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. Please, ma'am, would you. 142 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04
Okay. Statements from Mr. Fogelman, Burton Fogelman. He's a teacher from Central High School. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Please proceed.
Teachers at Central High School: Now I use Elkins Avenue, since 20th Street is now one way. I was in an accident last month, in spite of the fact... I'm sorry. I apologize for trying to read his writing. Oh. I was in an accident last month, in spite of the fact I sit high in a van. I was unable to clearly see traffic on Wister traveling towards Belfield Avenue. The accident could have been more serious if the driver on Wister to my left had warned me on beeping. I stopped and I was hit. I believe more accidents will take place because 20th Street is one way. The street that this gentleman was referring to is a smaller street just past 20th and Olney, if you were going west on 143 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 the map -- on the tape that I was showing. And it's a street that we have neighbors here from that have now found that additional traffic is using it as a shortcut. And that shortcut takes them to Wister. And coming out of Wister is almost a blind spot. And this is what he's referring to. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
Is that problem being kind of reported throughout the area, complaints from people living in small streets?
Complaints that, yes, people on side streets or streets that have normally never been used in that -- for that purpose, they're finding that people are using them for shortcuts, in particular area during the peak hours when we have additional traffic, horrendous traffic and school buses. People are really cutting through the smaller streets, and it's very unusual. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Do you happen 144 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 to know, ma'am, if there -- have any knowledge if any of the residents on those streets that claim to be negatively impacted as a result of this, have they requested any studies as to whether or not maybe the direction of their streets might be improved if they were changed? Do you happen to know if any request has been made?
As far as I know, they haven't made those types of inquires. They were suggested that signs be posted, in terms of no trucks, things of that nature. And because of those streets, most of them are within the proximity of the University, the parking is an issue on those streets with the students, and the commuter student. And they're always been suggested that they buy -- purchase parking permits. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Parking permits.
Which is unfair if you live in a community, and all of a sudden 145 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 you have to have a parking permit in order to live in front of your home -- or park in front of your home COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I understand that, but that's one of those situations that sometimes can't be controlled, especially when you have a commercial corridor that begins to see an increase in activity. The pressure gets on the residential community adjacent to it. Subsequently, people will have to -- would then have to opt for a permit parking. The only thing I would suggest in that regard, if discussions have not already been undertaken, that you might want to talk to the University about partnering and some of the possible costs of that permit parking to the residents. I'm not suggesting that they would agree, but I think that those are conversations that should -- should be taking place. I've had similar things in my 146 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 District where businesses have either fully paid or partially paid for the cost of permit parking, as a result of what their entity has caused, in terms of additional parking problems.
Well, that's certainly a consideration. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions for this witness?
I was hoping to at least get down to Central High School which is very important part of this. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is it working?
Another school. Right next door to Girls High is Widener. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Are we there?
Yes. We'll have to go with this one so that we won't prolong it. 147 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 We are actually at Ogontz and Olney at this particular time. These are the cars lined up that are sitting on Ogontz in the mornings. There's an extension of this traffic that goes back to approximately more than a block and around another corridor of Ogontz Avenue which intersects. We are down at the corner of Ogontz and Olney. And shortly this will focus over more to Central High School. I do apologize for my wonderful footage. These were buses sitting in front of Central, actually. These are the and 17 bus routes that we have, which are the 18 and the 26. That is one of the side driveways. And of course, this is a part of the campus of Central High School. This particular footage was taken during the winter. I had one that was recently done earlier. This is Ogontz Avenue here where the 148 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 students will start to cross over, but they never walk to the corner. They're constantly walking across the lanes to get to the other side. Unfortunately, this particular footage is not the one that I had planned to show you because of the problems with the counter. Jason, would you be able to run this completely to the end while Cara is talking? That last number I gave you. Thank you. Near the end. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Are we almost --
Well, if Cara can speak, I will have him set up the last part of that, since it's taking time. This is Cara Thompson.
My name is Cara Thompson from Central High School. And I am a local commuter from the Germantown area. Each morning as I travel to Central High School, which is located down the 149 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 street from 20th and Chew Avenue, I and many others are affected negatively by the change of 20th Street. There are two important reasons why I and many others believe that 20th Street should not be changed. The first reason is because of the increase in traffic. Traffic has increased greatly on Chew Avenue. Starting from Broad and Olney, there are cars backed up from there to Chew and Chelten. As a result of this traffic, commuters are forced to wait long periods of time waiting to get to their destinations. Another result is that commuters are forced to use streets in residential areas. These streets are not meant to carry cars. Children are in danger of being in car accidents with the extra traffic while walking to school, as well as other pedestrians. Another reason for not making 20th Street a one-way is because the reason is 150 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 not good enough. It's claimed that you are protecting the students of LaSalle University, neighbors and visitors. I agree with that, but it has to be understood that you are putting others in danger by changing 20th Street. As I said before, you are forcing local commuters to drive through residential areas on a regular basis. If it is wanted to protect so many people, you should look now at Chew and Ogontz Avenue where Central High School sits. Many bad events have already occurred there: A gas explosion and two dead bodies found across the street from Central High School. There are no crossing guards there, no police, and no one to protect residents who live there. Each morning and afternoon, when Central students cross the street to go and leave school, they do not cross at the corner. Instead, they cross in the middle of the road. 151 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 There haven't been any accidents yet with Central students, but students and commuters are constantly in danger if this continues. If high school students can handle crossing Ogontz and Olney Avenue without a problem, which is a much larger intersection than 20th Street, then I believe that adult students from LaSalle University can handle crossing 20th Street, where there is a crossing guard and university police. I can say your reasons are not convincing. You say you're protecting residents, but most of the people here protesting are the residents. Before making decisions for someone, I suggest that you consult with them first. Thank you. (Applause.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. I'm going to proceed with the witness list here. There are about 18 witnesses who have signed up to testify. I 152 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 want to repeat what I said earlier. If there is anyone who is going to add something that has not yet already been discussed or testified to, we would certainly appreciate your comments and your testimony. But in the interests of time and the lateness of the hour or the earliness of the day, I would ask that if you are prepared to testify and you're only going to repeat what has been said, that you forego your testimony. And I will ask the witnesses that we will now limit the witness's testimony to one minute per person. (Moans from the audience.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The Chair recognizes --
Mr. Chairman, I would object very much to that. (Moans from the audience.)
They came to a 4 o'clock meeting. They've been very cooperative far beyond what anybody has 153 Law & Gov't and Streets & Services - 6/9/04 reason to expect. And I think we ought to proceed with this hearing, and people ought to be able to express their feelings. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And Councilman, if they are going to say something different -- VOICES FROM THE AUDIENCE: That's right. VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE: We've been here all night. VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE: We've been here all day. VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE: How can you do this?