One-way streets may go a-way

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

EVERETT — As far as Richard Wacker is concerned, changing Everett’s one-way streets to two-way will produce reverse results: The plan will jam up the downtown core instead of stimulating it.

"Maybe the city thinks it will slow cars down so drivers notice the businesses, but I don’t think that’s going to happen," said Wacker, one of the owners of Gold’s Gym.

Wacker will be in the audience at a March public hearing to discuss the city’s plan to change several of Everett’s principal one-way streets to two-way streets.

City council members Wednesday heard the first reading of the ordinance to change the streets:

  • Wetmore Avenue from 19th to 37th streets,

  • Hoyt Avenue from 19th to 32nd streets,

  • California Street from Rucker to Rockefeller avenues.

    City officials have met with business owners, school officials and neighborhood groups to discuss the proposed traffic flow switch, which could occur by late summer.

    If the council approves the project, it would cost about $922,000. The city has received a $600,000 federal grant to help pay for the switch.

    City traffic engineers say changing the traffic flow would improve circulation downtown for motorists, offer more parking and increase safety.

    Wayne Wentz, the city’s traffic engineer, said the central business district will see a slight gain in parking spaces because the transit center will relocate from Hoyt and Hewitt avenues to the new Everett Station east of downtown.

    Individual downtown blocks, however, will lose one or two spaces.

    "We just don’t know until we sit down and draw perfect plans," Wentz said.

    Wetmore and Hoyt avenues probably wouldn’t lose more than one or two parking stalls, and California might lose just a few more. "We’re going to be as efficient as we can with angle and parallel parking to keep the total loss down," Wentz said.

    With two-way traffic, drivers will have the option of circling a block to look for a better parking spot. "Now," Wentz said, "you can’t do that."

    One-way streets have been in Everett since about 1950, Wentz estimated. Smaller cities such as Everett created one-way streets before interstates and major state highways were built so people could get through town faster.

    Today, downtown one-way streets aren’t needed to blast people through town, and can be dangerous because drivers tend to go faster. Instead, downtown streets should accommodate shoppers and those needing services, such as getting to the doctor’s office. And extending the two-way designation into residential areas that surround the business district should improve safety for those neighborhoods, Wentz said.

    "Slowing people down — we think it’s a very important feature," Wentz said. "Portions out in the residential neighborhoods, they have that extra level of confusion and speeding going on there."

    You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

    or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.

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