By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its December 17 meeting the City of Whitewater Common Council declined to adopt the part-time closure of Starin Road that was recommended by the Public Works Committee. Out of concern for pedestrian safety, University staff had requested approval to erect an electronic gate which would close the portion of Starin Road from Warhawk Drive to the street to the east of the bookstore. It was suggested that the closure occur on Monday through Friday during the university’s fall and spring terms, possibly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After a period of public comment and Council debate that lasted for approximately an hour, it was decided to implement the following traffic calming measures through the spring semester:

• Install a yet-to-be determined number of stop signs within the area of concern, [which it appears might extend to Prince Street and Starin Road.]
• Reduce the speed limit to 15 miles per hour from the current 25.
• Install temporary speed humps (which are usually not as high as a speed bump and are longer).

It was decided that the Council will review the outcome of this trial in its second meeting in June, with the expectation that if it is not deemed to be successful in improving pedestrian safety, they would consider moving forward with what might be described as a part-time closure. There was interest expressed in the possibility of a somewhat shorter daily closure, focusing on the heavier pedestrian traffic periods. Though there was ultimately unanimous approval of the motion, Council members Greg Majkrzak and Orin Smith had favored moving ahead with the Public Works Committee’s recommendation as soon as possible.

Public comment on the original recommendation began with a rather lengthy, impassioned presentation in favor of the closure by Brenda Jones, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administrative Affairs. It was her view that the drivers who would be most affected by the closure are university employees and students. She disagreed with stereotypes of large numbers of students being distracted by using their phones while crossing the street. She did not feel that the concerns from police, fire and EMS that the closure would significantly delay emergency responses, as those personnel could be provided with electronic access.

Comments from students, other community members, and council members about the original proposal were very mixed. Council member Brown spoke about the increasing popularity of “green zones” for pedestrians in university campus properties. A number of comments were made about hazardous street crossings for public school students. Douglas A. Bradley III, Whitewater Student Government president, spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that he feels more safe crossing Main Street than Starin Road. Jani Kau Mortensen, who retired from the university as a shuttle driver, spoke against the proposal, feeling that it would put all the responsibility on drivers. She indicated a need to correct an urban legend that if a student is hit by a vehicle, they get their college expenses covered. Jeff Knight indicated that when the Starin Road extension was planned there was an extensive traffic study conducted, and he feels it is time for another. Larry Kachel felt that there should be an answer to the concerns “with less pain,” suggesting various approaches, including those that ultimately were part of the alternative plan offered by Council member Hicks.

Editor’s note: A previous Banner article regarding this matter, including reference to city staff comments, may be found here.