INC NEWS - Duke's pedestrian plan lacks sidewalks, connectivity

[John Schelp]

folks,

The Pedestrian Plan that Duke recently submitted to
Durham's Development Review Board for approval is
woefully inadequate. Duke's plan leaves off a
significant number of future sidewalks -- which gives
the university a pass on sidewalk requirements
outlined in Durham's ordinance.

In public hearings, Duke has repeatedly affirmed the
importance of sidewalks and pedestrian connectivity. A
review of their pedestrian plan suggests that talk is
cheap. According to local officials, Duke seems to be
working behind the scenes to avoid building sidewalks
near their projects. Here are three examples:

1) Although a sidewalk is required in Duke's current
site plan for the new Center for Integrative Medicine,
the university is trying to eliminate a sidewalk along
Cameron Blvd., undermining an important *integrative*
characteristic of the new center.

Local officials have indicated that Duke wants to
re-submit a site plan that will omit the sidewalk
(based on the new, weaker requirements in Duke's
proposed pedestrian plan). One negative effect of this
change is that it would be more dangerous for the many
people who walk along Cameron Blvd. to football games
and other events at Wallace Wade stadium.

2) Duke was also supposed to build a sidewalk in front
recently expanded and renovated Washington-Duke Hotel
on Cameron Blvd., a big money-maker for the non-profit
university. 

While the local planning ordinance states that Duke's
new sidewalks must have the same functionality as
conventional sidewalks, Duke is trying to argue that
the jogging trail fulfills this requirement. 

Some must wonder how a dirt trail covered with mulch
that goes back into the woods is the same thing as a
paved, all-weather, pedestrian-friendly sidewalk along
Cameron Blvd.

3) Duke is trying to argue that the gravel trail
around the inside of the East Campus wall serves the
same function as a sidewalk and that therefore, Duke
shouldn't have to build sidewalks around East Campus. 


While the gravel trail inside the East Campus wall
might be suitable for joggers and dog walkers, it is
not the same as a sidewalk designed to facilitate
pedestrian traffic. Does Duke seriously expect a
pedestrian -- a parent pushing a baby stroller -- to
climb over the wall at the corner in order to walk
along Buchanan, Markham, Broad, or Swift?

Finally, with regards to the Central Campus
redevelopment, concerned neighbors have asked Duke
several times to pay special attention to the northern
pedestrian portals at Anderson St and at Ninth Street.
Duke officials have assured us they will attend to
these matters -- assurances that are called into
question as Duke's recent efforts to avoid including
adequate, appropriate sidewalks in their site plans
come to light.

Instead of trying to save money, Duke should create a 
safer environment for students, visitors, fans and
neighbors. Instead of scaling back their commitments
to sidewalks, Duke should be working even harder to
build better, pedestrian-friendly bridges with Durham.


thank you so much,
John Schelp