Morgantown’s pedestrian scene is up for a shakeup, and it’s all about the sidewalks, dear reader. Now, picture this: Morgantown’s going big on its walkability factor, and that ain’t gonna be cheap. City Council’s kicking around the idea of raising a cool $5 million every year for the next decade, aiming to jazz up those streets. And how, you might ask? Well, think big — like, historic investment big. But before you get comfy, there might be some extra fees coming your way. Yeah, we’re talking higher property taxes or maybe even new user fees.

Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. This plan, with the delightfully bureaucratic title of the Morgantown Pedestrian Improvement Plan, is one piece of a $1 million pie, courtesy of the good ol’ American Rescue Plan Act. The envisioned outcome? Dozens of projects to spruce up the sidewalks each year. We’re talking maintenance, replacement — you name it. About 50 existing assets are on the table for an annual facelift, with ambitions for a couple of larger-scale projects too.

Paying for the Plan

But before we get there, someone’s gotta foot the bill. During a public input session, city planners tossed around a bouquet of financial solutions. An excess levy is on the table, alongside hiking up user fees. So, the question stands: Are you up for it, Morgantown? Would you shell out some extra dough for pedestrian bliss?

Projects in Action

In the meantime, though, the city isn’t just sitting around. They’ve already rolled out what they’re calling “rapid response” improvements. These include upgrades on Selwin Street, University Avenue, and more. Lakecrest Construction snagged a $558,450 contract to make this magic happen. Overall, these upgrades are clocking in at about $1.5 million and are meant to give Morgantown’s neighborhoods a taste of what could be down the line with widespread investment.

Spending Big and Dreaming Bigger

Staff Engineer Drew Gatlin didn’t sugarcoat when he articulated the enormity of the task. He laid it all out: even with a $50 million, 10-year blueprint laid down, we’re just skimming the surface of a massive backlog. Gatlin estimates the town could use a whopping $500 million to a cool billion for sidewalk work. Talk about a moonshot!

The Final Push

City Council hasn’t officially knocked the gavel yet on any specific plans, but keep those eyes peeled. They’re expected to make this grand scheme known soon. In the words of many a New Yorker: You wanna make an omelet, you gotta break some eggs, eh?

Additional Reading:

• New York City’s Vision Zero – NYC’s multi-faceted approach to pedestrian safety.
• Austin’s Sidewalk Plan – Another city pumping up its sidewalk infrastructure.

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