Consultant Seeks Comments on Intersection

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, News

Thu, Jan 21, 2010

The Partnership for Community Development will hold an open house from noon until 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Public Library on Feb. 3 to allow its consulting firm to gather citizen comments about the five-way intersection in the center of the business district.

"This is the first phase of the project and essentially, the real heart of the study," said PCD Managing Director, Roger Bauman. "It's all about working together as a community, so we need to hear from the community."

Lisa Nagle, of Elan Planning & Design, Inc,, the Saratoga Springs firm hired to conduct the study said, "The open house is our first opportunity to gather ideas from the public that will help shape the intersection improvements. As design professionals, we certainly have the capability to consider a wide variety of enhancements. If they are not addressing the concerns of the community, then we have missed the mark. By starting with this open house, we can ensure we are giving the people of Hamilton what they want and need."

The PCD approached the Village Board of Trustees requesting it be allowed to form a group to study the intersection in May of last year. In his proposal to the board, Bauman said the five-way intersection formed by Utica, Lebanon, Broad, Payne and Madison streets has what he called "three major deficiencies". According to Bauman, these are:

1.         Sense of Safety
Confusion exists for vehicular traffic. Drivers making turns within the intersection are confused as where to stop and when to go. Pedestrians face the same set of problems with the additional concern of crossing a very wide intersection before the traffic resumes in their direction. Not only do these factors present a real potential safety problem, but contribute to an unsettling discomfort. It has been noted that few serious accidents have recently occurred at this intersection. While this may be the current situation, it would be irresponsible not to address this problem before a real tragedy occurs.

2.         Visual Impact
Often referred to as the "Sea of Asphalt", the Route 12-B intersection is the very core of the village. The wide expanse of asphalt, lack of tree coverage and lack of pedestrian-scale lighting all convey an unfriendly visual image and detracts from many of the charming aspects of the Village and the good work that has been done to date revitalizing many of the buildings and facades.

3.         Pedestrian Friendly
While it is evident that a pedestrian-friendly area must encompass both a sense of safety and a positive visual impact, there remain other factors that must be present. The intersection must be an area of social interaction which strengthens a sense of community, it must emphasize the uniqueness of Hamilton, and it must be lively projecting a feeling of vitality.

Regardless of what the community says and the consultants suggest, the ultimate decision on what -- if anything -- to do about Hamilton's five-way intersection will be made by the state Department of Transportation.

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