Humboldt Fifth District Candidate Forum Next Week

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 29, 2022

May Is Bike Month!
The fun kicks off on Sunday with a bike scavenger hunt in Arcata, and continues with Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day next Wednesday. Don’t forget to register for the friendly Love to Ride bike challenge for a chance to win some prizes, and check out the perks local bike-friendly businesses are offering riders during the month. The May EcoNews also has several great Bike Month features worth a read.

CRTP Co-Sponsored Candidate Forum Next Week
Tune in to hear from candidates for the Humboldt County Fifth District Supervisor seat on a variety of important topics – including transportation.

Supporters Show Up at Gateway Plan Meeting
A steady stream of people supporting dense, infill housing development in the Gateway Area asked the Arcata Planning Commission on Tuesday to keep moving the plan forward with an equitable, time-efficient process. The Commission took a small step in that direction with a promise to (tentatively) schedule further in advance which topics in the plan will be reviewed at which meetings.

Check Out the Plan for Safety Pop-Up Demonstrations on Broadway
This is the first step toward the near-term safety improvements we’ve been advocating for. While we’ve learned that the pop-ups won’t be ready for Bike Month as previously planned, they should be coming soon thereafter. We’ll keep you posted.

Old Arcata Road Project to Be Heard by County Planning Commission
Because a very small portion of the long-planned project is actually on unincorporated county land, the County Planning Commission will be discussing it next Thursday.

Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

More on That Fee to Clean Up Abandoned Vehicles
Imagine if we had vehicle registration fees to cover the other costs imposed by cars on our communities – injuries and deaths, air and water and noise pollution, climate chaos, social isolation…

More Sidewalk Improvements Coming
Buried in the Humboldt Board of Supervisors’ agenda this week was a report on the upcoming “Phase 2” of the County’s multi-year ADA sidewalk improvement project (expect more improvements in the McKinleyville and Eureka areas) and an agreement with Caltrans around its plan to improve sidewalks on 5th Street in Eureka.

What’s Keeping Our Air (Relatively) Clean?
We don’t have as many cars as other parts of the state. But that doesn’t mean the number of cars and trucks we do have is healthy.

Groups Organize for Free Public Transit for California Youth
There’s a bill in the state legislature that would actually do that! And while you’re advocating, you may as well ask legislators to give some of their budget surplus to local transit agencies too.

The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Humboldt Countywide Draft Climate Action Plan Finally Published

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 22, 2022

Arcata City Council Shows Support for Complete Streets Policy
At its meeting this Wednesday, the three Councilmembers present all indicated support for the draft policy and for CRTP’s suggested amendments to make it even stronger and more equitable. However, adoption was delayed due to the Transportation Safety Committee’s desire to review the policy further.

Countywide Climate Action Plan Available for Public Review
After many months of delay, the draft plan – which would cover Humboldt County and all its incorporated cities – is now posted on the County’s website for public review. Transportation is the source of most of our region’s climate-harming emissions. Does the plan do enough to rein in emissions from cars and trucks? Stay tuned for CRTP’s hot takes.

Drive-Throughs Welcome?
The majority of the Eureka City Council did not seem enthusiastic about banning drive-through businesses when the topic came up on their agenda this week, but additional discussions and a public workshop are likely in the future.

Fish Farm Commits to Transportation Measures
In advertisements leading up to yesterday’s Humboldt County Planning Commission meeting, Nordic AquaFarms confirmed that it has committed to a transportation management plan which will incentivize employees to commute by carpool, van pool, transit, or bike. Working with our allies, CRTP helped negotiate this commitment, along with the company’s commitment to purchase 100% renewable energy. There are more questions that remain to be answered about this huge project and its impacts, but these are important steps in the right direction.

Gateway Plan Meetings and Public Process
The Arcata Planning Commission is expected to hold another meeting on the draft plan next Tuesday. CRTP and our allies think it’s important to point out that a long series of technocratic commission meetings is not a recipe for equitable public engagement. And also: local housing and transportation systems are in crisis. We can’t afford many more delays in delivering dense infill development.

Bike Month is Almost Here
May is Bike Month! Check out the fun local events being planned by the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition.

Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Free “Go Slow” Yard Signs Still Available
The Greater Eureka Area Traffic Safety Task Force would like to remind you that any Humboldt County resident can still get those yard signs for free at Eureka City Hall.

Will North Coast Communities Get More Infrastructure Dollars?
A new Biden administration initiative aims to help rural areas access federal money for transportation and other infrastructure.

Farhad Manjoo on the Urgent Need for Systematic Bike Safety Improvements
The New York Times columnist gets it right once again.

Gas Prices Lead Biden to Break Campaign Promise on Drilling
Our addiction to gas-guzzling vehicles leads to yet another self-destructive decision by an elected official.

A Complete Streets Policy & a Possible Drive-Through Ban

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 15, 2022

Want to Learn About Transportation Issues? Read a Book!
CRTP is excited to announce that we now have our own collection of books available to check out from the Northcoast Environmental Center library. Ranging from Walkable City Rules to Policing the Open Road, we’ve got ten informative and interesting titles available right now, with more to come in the future. Go ahead, educate yourself!

Arcata City Council to Consider Complete Streets Policy
Next Wednesday, the Council is expected to consider adopting a policy that would require new street projects – including repaving and repair – to include all feasible infrastructure improvements for walking, biking, rolling and riding the bus. CRTP strongly supports this policy, which is based on a model provided by the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility.

Eureka City Council to Consider Banning New Drive-Throughs
At its meeting next Tuesday, the Council will give staff direction on how to deal with the issue of new drive-through businesses. One of the options on the table, which CRTP fully supports, is a ban on new drive-throughs. These businesses encourage driving, make walking and biking less safe, and keep foot traffic away from other local businesses. Who needs ’em?

Cal Poly Humboldt Adopts New Climate Action Plan
The new “CAP 2.0” includes a number of significant new transportation measures, such as policies to not provide parking passes for first-year students and students who live within a mile and a half of campus. It also promises to investigate providing bus passes to faculty and staff (students already get them) and providing health insurance discounts to employees who walk or bike to work. We’re encouraged by this plan, but confused by the fact that it is accompanied by seemingly conflicting plans to build a bunch of new parking on campus. To find out more, you can register for a forum the university is holding next Monday.

Increased Focus on Housing
A new article in the North Coast Journal highlights the importance of building new housing in areas where people don’t have to drive so much. Meanwhile, a local agency is seeking artists to “convey the hardships and barriers that Humboldt residents (or potential residents) face due to the shortage of housing at all levels, but especially affordable housing, or the lack of housing near school, work, services, or other basic needs.” And Humboldt County is publishing a handbook to encourage small-scale infill development through accessory dwelling units.

Major Milestones for Local Trail Projects
In case you missed it, the final segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail received an important approval recently, and funding is on the way to replace the Hammond Trail Bridge.

Yet Another Meeting About the Gateway Plan
At the umpteenth public meeting about the plan, the Arcata Planning Commission promised to hold even more meetings in the coming months. CRTP pointed out that the way to actually get diverse and equitable input is through the other kind of meeting that staff have been conducting – going to community groups and other places where people already gather and talking about what matters to them in the plan. Endless hours of mind-numbing Commissioner textual analysis, on the other hand, is likely to winnow down participation to only a few die-hard public meeting enthusiasts.

Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 911 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

We Have Plenty of Unmet Transit Needs
We just don’t have any way to meet them. That’s the now-familiar conclusion of the required annual assessment, set to be adopted by the Humboldt County Association of Governments Board next week. It’s a sign of a deeply broken funding system for public transportation in the country, the state and the county.

Police Warn of Gasoline Theft
Here’s what they don’t mention: no one can steal your fuel if you walk, bike or ride the bus!

Air Resources Board Publishes Draft Rules on Phasing Out Fossil-Powered Cars
But it won’t happen fast enough to meet climate goals. Which is one of the reasons to just drive less.

The Movement for Cleaner Freight Transportation
Local podcaster Wendy Ring highlights some inspiring people-powered victories.

County Told to Reduce Project’s Climate-Harming Emissions

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 8, 2022

County Warned That McKay Project Must Be All-Electric and Provide Bus Passes
CRTP joined with several allies in telling Humboldt County that state law requires them to implement more climate mitigation measures for the suburban subdivision. The Board of Supervisors was slated to give final approval to the project this week, but it was removed from the agenda after the County received our letter.

Arcata Planning Commission to Continue Discussing Gateway Plan
On Tuesday, the Commission will hear from staff about the years-long process that led up to the current draft plan, and will discuss what that process should look like moving forward. If you, like CRTP, support the Gateway Area Plan and the extensive public process that city staff have already been conducting, we encourage you to show up and let them know.

Eureka Planning Commission to Hear CRTP’s Appeal of Broadway Project Approval
The project involves expanding and remodeling a commercial building on Broadway. Caltrans recommended sidewalk and driveway safety improvements at the site, but the City declined to require them. This certainly isn’t the biggest project to affect the corridor in recent years. But we think the City should take every opportunity – no matter how small – to improve safety on Broadway. The Planning Commission will hear our appeal on Monday.

Local Environmental Group Endorses Candidates for June Primary
The Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER) is endorsing Steve Madrone and Natalie Arroyo for Humboldt County Supervisor, Kimberley White for Arcata City Council, Juan Pablo Cervantes for Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, and Adrian Kamada for District Attorney.

E-Scooters Coming to Eureka
The city has already signed a contract with Bird Scooters for a pilot program through the end of the year. CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske welcomed the introduction of a new low-carbon transportation option, but urged the city to ensure that parked scooters don’t block sidewalks (a common problem in other cities).

Urbanism, Infill, and Form-Based Codes
Check out the interview with planning expert Dan Zack on the latest episode of the EcoNews Report. And if you missed Dan’s talk last night sponsored by CRTP, let us know and we’ll send you a link to the recording.

Arcata Mayor Can’t Participate in Gateway Discussions
The news leaves the City Council increasingly short-handed as it looks to make the most important decisions about infill development and transportation infrastructure in many years.

Bike Lanes on the Samoa Peninsula?
The new infrastructure financing district has the potential to make it happen.

Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 910 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Eureka’s Role in Creating Statewide Affordable Housing Restrictions
It could be argued that the city’s unsavory history adds to its moral responsibility to develop downtown affordable housing now.

The Importance of Land Use Policies for Fighting the Climate Crisis
The new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points out the critical role of dense, walkable and bikeable, transit-oriented development to our planet’s future.

Caltrans to Help People Out of Homelessness?
Senator McGuire announced this week that the state agency will be hiring thousands of “formerly homeless residents.”

Bill Would Require Caltrans to Build Wildlife Crossings
Our friends at EPIC are rallying support.

Advocates Urge Faster Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
2035 won’t cut it.

Electric Vehicles Will Not Save Us

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 1, 2022

“Where’s the CAP?”
Public release of the Climate Action Plan under joint development by Humboldt County and its incorporated cities has been delayed over and over again. With the climate crisis already upon us, there’s no time to waste in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. So what are our local governments waiting for?

Don’t Forget to Register for Next Week’s Webinar!
Next Thursday, CRTP is sponsoring Dan Zack, a long-time urban planner with experience in cities and towns in the Bay Area and the Central Valley, for a talk on “The Principles of Good Infill Development.”

Electric Vehicles Will Not Save Us
Read CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske’s article in the latest EcoNews to find out why.

The Promise and Challenge of E-Bikes
At a meeting next week, a Humboldt County Association of Governments Committee will hear a request to form an ad hoc working group on e-bikes. Local trail managers are apparently concerned about increasing conflicts between faster e-bikes and slow-moving pedestrians. CRTP has been saying for years that walking and biking are not the same, and local trail designers need to provide appropriate space for each rather than assuming they will mix freely with no problems.

Today and Tomorrow: Pop-Up Bike and Pedestrian Improvements in McKinleyville
From 3:30-6:30 pm on Friday and 9:30 am – 12:30 pm on Saturday, you can experience a temporary demonstration of potential improvements to Hiller Road near Central Avenue. Información en español aquí.

Eureka City Council to Hear Presentation from Bird Scooters
Will Eureka become the second local city to welcome a scooter sharing system? (For those not keeping score, Fortuna was the first.)

Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 909 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Tired of Waiting for a Crosswalk in Your Neighborhood?
Maybe you should try painting one yourself.

State Housing, Transportation and Air Pollution Agencies to Hold Joint Meeting
The next joint meeting between the Departments of Housing and Community Development, the Transportation Commission, and the Air Resources Board will be held next Thursday. These meetings are always a good place to find out what these state agencies with strong influence over our built environment are thinking about key issues.

Big Batch of Bike Bills Voted Out of Committee
Similar bills in past sessions have taken a lot of work to move forward, but this time the Assembly is moving quickly.

Advocates Ask for More Transit Money in State Budget
Public transit operators are still facing major challenges due to lost ridership during the pandemic.

Senator Padilla Introduces Major Housing Bill
The bill is focused on housing affordability, but it also includes provisions to support safe parking programs and “inclusive, transit-oriented development and infill development.”

The Principles of Good Infill Development

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 25, 2022

Supervisors Approve McKay Subdivision with New Condition
The developer and the majority of Humboldt County Supervisors refused to make even minor modifications to the project to reduce climate-harming emissions. But they did agree that the money set aside for traffic lights could be used instead for bike and pedestrian safety improvements – a small but important change.

Join Us for a Webinar on the Principles of Good Infill Development
Register now for our April 7th webinar with Dan Zack, a long-time urban planner with experience in cities and towns in the Bay Area and the Central Valley that will help shed light on local efforts toward infill development in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville.

Person Killed by Driver While Biking on Herrick Avenue
Yet another tragedy brings more grief to our community. At a wide intersection like this, dominated by speeding cars, with no infrastructure for people walking or biking, this kind of thing is infuriatingly predictable. Unfortunately, the information released by police promotes the narrative that the victim was at fault, despite that person no longer being with us to tell their side of the story.

McKinleyville Town Center Decisions Still in the Future
The McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee did not reach a decision on either the town center ordinance or the proposed Central Avenue road diet this week. Once again, committee members seemed split down the middle on both issues.

Crescent City Requests Funding for Road Diet
At a Technical Advisory Committee meeting next week, Crescent City will request $400,000 from the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission to reconstruct Front Street – a project that will include reducing the number of lanes from 4 to 2. If Crescent City can implement a road diet, surely McKinleyville can do it too.

Indianola Interchange Designs Expected Soon
In the face of cost overruns, Caltrans is promising that bike and pedestrian infrastructure will remain part of the project.

Eureka City Council to Hold Visioning Session
Let’s hope their vision is for a safe, walkable, transit-rich, people-friendly city.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 907 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Cal Poly Humboldt Still Planning to Add Parking Structures
Mind-bogglingly, the university wants to spend millions of dollars to lock itself into car dependence at a time it is publicly re-dedicating itself to fighting the climate crisis.

It’s Past Time to End Costly Parking Mandates
Even Redding has eliminated parking minimums downtown. What are Humboldt County governments waiting for?

Another Reason to Stop Making Bigger Cars
A new study shows that due to poor visibility, they’re much more likely to hit people who are walking.

Here’s How We Should Be Responding to High Gas Prices
Invest in other forms of transportation and buy back people’s old cars.

Want to Know About Crashes Involving Self-Driving Vehicle Tests on Public Roads?
The State of California won’t tell you.

Who Should Have Priority in McKinleyville: Walkers, Bikers or Developers?

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 18, 2022

Committee Is Split on Prioritizing Walking and Biking in McKinleyville Town Center
At their meeting this week, members of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee all said they supported bike and pedestrian safety, but some nevertheless continued to argue (despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary) that a Central Avenue road diet would cause unacceptable harm to local businesses and commuters. Reflecting these divisions, the Committee also asked county staff to come back to them with two versions of a town center ordinance: one that prioritizes walkability and bikeability, and one that gives developers free reign to do almost anything they want. All we can say is that next Wednesday’s meeting, when they will weigh the two ordinances side by side and perhaps take a final vote on the road diet concept, will be a wild ride.

McKay Subdivision Back on Supes Agenda Next Week
The big suburban development at the edge of the Cutten will finally be voted on by Humboldt County Supervisors next Tuesday. CRTP has been requesting significant changes to reduce the project’s car-dependence and climate impacts. Without those changes, we can’t support the project. Keep an eye out for more information early next week.

Huffman Earmarks $5 Million for Hammond Trail Bridge Replacement
It’s official: the federal budget will help the county maintain this critical active transportation link between Arcata and McKinleyville.

Humboldt Supes Approve Big Airport Investments
The investments include a new fuel tank and hangar upgrades at Murray Field – despite it being directly in the path of sea level rise – and $5.6 million for a massive increase in parking capacity at the main airport in McKinleyville. We wonder how many zero-emission airport buses or shuttles could have been put into service for the cost of all those new parking spaces.

Mark Your Calendar: McKinleyville Pop-Up Demonstrations & Community Meeting
The ongoing multi-modal planning project will have pop-up street safety demonstrations and another public meeting in the next few weeks. En español aquí.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 906 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Yup, There Really Is Plenty of Parking in Downtown Eureka
Believe it or not, it’s there.

Support Grows for Banning New Car Culture Restaurants
Drive-throughs are bad for many reasons.

Lots of Cool Transportation Bills in State Legislature
Several good bills that were vetoed by the governor last session are back in modified form, as well as some exciting new ones.

Will New Car Safety Ratings Consider Pedestrians?
The federal government’s new ratings system will likely incorporate high-tech devices that help detect pedestrians – but won’t address the root cause of growing pedestrian danger, namely bigger and bigger vehicles.

Mining the Sea Floor to Feed Our Car Addiction
Add it to the long list of reasons that electric vehicles won’t solve all our problems.

Could High Gas Prices Spur Investment in Alternatives?
It’s happened before. But chances this time seem somewhat diminished by the rush of legislators to address the symptom rather than the problem.

A Drive-Through Moratorium in Eureka?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 11, 2022

Housing Is an Environmental Issue
If you’re wondering why, check out this piece in the latest EcoNews edition by EPIC Executive Director Tom Wheeler and CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske.

Eureka City Council to Talk Parking, Housing, and Land Use
Did you know that Eureka is supposed to have complete streets design guidelines, a pedestrian and bicycle master plan, and a plan for implementing car-free areas in the city? These are among the measures the city promised in its General Plan which the latest Annual Progress Report shows they have not yet accomplished. The report will be discussed at Tuesday’s Council meeting, along with the ongoing downtown parking study and another annual report on housing.

A Drive-Through Moratorium in Eureka?
The idea of stopping the endless parade of what we call car-culture restaurants – at least temporarily – may be gaining momentum. We fully support the proposal for a ban or moratorium on these emissions-producing, safety-threatening, socially isolating establishments that further local reliance on cars.

Harbor District Gets Port Development Money – for Wind, not Coal
At its meeting yesterday, the Board accepted a $10.5 million grant for preparing the port for offshore wind development. CRTP fully supports offshore wind and wants to make sure that further port development comes with needed active transportation and transit improvements on the peninsula. Also at its meeting last night, the Harbor District Board adopted an ordinance prohibiting coal handling and storage, becoming the latest local government to take a stand against the efforts by shadowy corporations to take over the right-of-way for the future Great Redwood Trail and use it to export coal by rail.

Arcata Committee to Discuss Safety Solutions
In the wake of recent tragedies and many complaints from residents, the Transportation Safety Committee will discuss how to make the city’s streets safer. Related items on Tuesday’s agenda include discussion of a recent state law that makes it easier to lower speed limits and the city’s draft complete streets policy.

People Want Walkable, Bikeable Infill Development on the Eureka Waterfront
That was the overwhelming message from those who attended last night’s public meeting on waterfront planning and voted in live polls about various types of potential development in the area. Also notable is that the majority of attendees opposed more parking in each of the three sub-areas, with 40% saying there should be no new parking at all.

Revised Draft Town Center Ordinance to Be Discussed Next Week
What will be in the new version? Will there be a road diet for Central Avenue? Attend Wednesday’s McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee meeting to find out. Also mark your calendars for April 1st and 2nd, when the county plans to hold pop-up demonstrations of streets safety improvements on Hiller and Pickett Roads.

Valley West Needs a Major Transportation Overhaul
Check out this article by CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske and Valley West advocate Lucy Salazar to learn more.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 904 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Humboldt Residents Back in Their Cars – But Not Back on the Bus?
Cell phone data indicate that driving levels may be close to the pre-pandemic “normal.” On the other hand, local transit ridership is still way down, perhaps due to the number of college students who still aren’t attending in-person classes. But riding the bus isn’t just for students. Come on, Humboldt – get on the bus!

About Those Gas Prices…
High gas prices have historically been associated with less driving and more transit ridership, both things we desperately need. But high prices also affect low-income people disproportionately, highlighting the fact that leaving it up to global markets to determine transportation incentives will not result in fair and equitable solutions.

State Funding Still Prioritizes Cars and Trucks
A telling staff report for next week’s California Transportation Commission meeting reveals that two-thirds of the money from the state’s main capacity-funding program is still earmarked for streets and highways, while transit and active transportation have to split the rest. In fact, the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) still explicitly prioritizes projects that “meet highway needs” over those that address the climate crisis.

Broadway Improvements Coming. Your Voice Was Heard!

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 4, 2022

Broadway Improvements Coming – Your Voice Was Heard!
If you signed our petition for a safer Broadway last fall and have been wondering what came of it, listen to the latest episode of the EcoNews Report for an update. The short version is that Caltrans received the petition and heard our requests, and now they are planning significant bike and pedestrian improvements throughout the Broadway corridor in the relatively near term. They are also for the first time including CRTP and other stakeholders in their internal project development meetings, giving us the opportunity to help shape the designs from the beginning. This is a major shift in the way Caltrans works, and it wouldn’t have happened without you!

A Better Way to Fund Transportation Improvements
Join David Cobb of Cooperation Humboldt and the California Public Banking Alliance to hear about the potential for public banks to fund needed infrastructure and other improvements without the need to pad the pockets of private banks with exorbitant interest rates and profit margins.

Council Confirms Support for Transit Center
In another unanimous vote this week, the Eureka City Council released two downtown parking lots for future development of the “EaRTH Center” transit and housing hub.

Eureka Waterfront Plan Meeting Next Week
Register for this public meeting next Thursday to provide your input and support for walkable, transit-oriented waterfront development!

Bike Ride Honors Those Killed on the Road in Arcata
The monthly Critical Mass bike ride stopped at the intersection of St. Louis Road and Janes Creek Drive to remember Jennifer Garcia, who was struck and killed by a driver there last month.

Gateway Plan Scoping Meeting Rescheduled for Next Week
A Zoom snafu forced the previously scheduled meeting to be scrapped. But next Thursday the City of Arcata will hold a new public meeting to receive input on what types of environmental impacts should be considered as the Gateway Area Plan and the rest of the General Plan update move forward.

Humboldt Supervisors Consider Increasing Transient Occupancy Tax
Transportation improvements are some of the potential uses listed for new tax revenues. Could this be an opportunity to better fund local public transit and active transportation infrastructure?

Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 900 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Another Car Culture Restaurant in Eureka?
Don’t we have enough car-oriented infrastructure around here? We stand with those calling for a ban on new drive-through facilities in the city.

Humboldt Gas Prices Spiking
Just another reason to rely on active transportation and clean transit instead of notoriously unreliable fossil fuels. Nobody ever fought a war to control access to bicycles.

“But How Are We Going to Pay For It?”
That’s a common refrain from opponents to dense infill development. Here’s a primer on why this kind of development is the only kind that actually pays for itself.

Is California Finally Getting Serious About Funding Sustainable Transportation?
A new report from one of the state’s own agencies calls for an overhaul of the transportation funding system to get it in line with the state’s climate goals.

Big Trucks and SUVs Are Dangerous for Kids
Automakers have tried to convince parents that bigger cars will protect their kids. But what if your kid is on the outside of the car?

Eureka Council Returns to Downtown Parking Lot Discussion

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 25, 2022

Committee Nears Consensus on Central Ave Lane Reduction
At its meeting this week, McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee members acknowledged the overwhelming public support they’d heard from all of you for a “road diet” on Central Avenue. With that in mind, a consensus emerged for reducing the number of lanes on Central throughout the Town Center area. This wouldn’t have happened without you! There is still debate over whether the road diet will mean removing 2 lanes (leaving 1 in each direction and a two-way turn lane in the middle) or removing 3 lanes (leaving 1 in each direction with a landscaped median). CRTP supports the option with the landscaped median, which would calm traffic more effectively and reduce the number of vehicular conflicts encountered by people walking and biking.

Eureka Transit Center Parking Lots Back on Council Agenda
The Eureka City Council unanimously approved the proposed downtown transit and housing center two weeks ago, despite complaints from opponents about the loss of parking. Next Tuesday, they’ll have to revisit the subject in order to officially authorize the transformation of the existing parking lots for that purpose. (It’s a bureaucratic requirement dating back to the 1950s, when the city first built downtown parking lots.) We don’t expect any change in the Council’s decision. But we’re sure there will be more parking grievances aired at the meeting, so if you live or work in Eureka, you might want to remind the Council how much you support the transit center project.

Eureka’s Linc Housing Projects Delayed by Funding Issues
We’re disappointed to report that the first round of affordable housing slated to be built on downtown parking lots – along with bike, pedestrian and transit improvements – did not win the hoped-for state grant funding. The non-profit developer, Linc Housing, hasn’t given up, though! They’re looking at other funding sources or possibly re-applying for the same grant again next year.

Downtown Eureka Densification Continues
A new four-story mixed-use building with rooftop bar is in the works (replacing a one-story building). There is no opposition to this project, a notable fact given the fierce reaction to other proposed downtown projects. When considering why this might be, we think it is instructive to note this project’s most salient differences from those other projects: this one one won’t take away any parking spaces or serve lower-income residents.

Some People Have Airport Problems
Murray Field, a county-owned airport used only by private pilots, is pondering whether to increase rents and replace degraded fuel tanks. Some local pilots are upset by the changes, some of which are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the county’s long-time airport operating subsidies. We question the idea of further subsidizing this most carbon-intensive of travel modes, especially given that Murray Field and its fuel tanks are directly in the path of rising seas.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 898 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Changes at the Top
Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin has been a breath of fresh air since his appointment in 2019, leading the agency in a new direction more focused on safe and sustainable transportation. Governor Newsom recently promoted Omishakin to State Transportation Agency Secretary, leaving big shoes to fill at Caltrans. CRTP is joining with many other organizations across the state in urging Newsom to appoint current Caltrans Deputy Director and past bike and pedestrian advocate Jeanie Ward-Waller as the new Director.

Bombing, Shooting and…Gas Prices?
A startling amount of reporting about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this week – not to mention the international response – has focused not on the horrors of war or the threat to democracy but on the impact to gas prices. These distorted priorities a symptom of a broken and inhumane transportation system.

“The Absurd Primacy of the Automobile in American Life”
We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves.

Want to Understand How Parking Policy Actually Works?
Check out this webinar from Bay Area advocacy group TransForm.

Carmakers Making Sure Tailpipe Emissions Are the Only Problem EVs Will Solve
Even with the transition to electric power, companies are doubling-down on huge, dangerous, inefficient vehicles.