May 3, 2010In the last week there was a lot of media coverage about the City installing a new set of traffic lights on Memorial Drive and 8th Street. For the record, the community (including the HSCA Board and Community Planning Committee) have not been consulted on this yet. David White, chair of the Community Planning Committee, and I were contacted by the department in charge of building the bridge. We have clearly expressed that the community is very much interested in working with the City to create and implement a decision that best meets the needs of our community (on this issue and for that matter on any issue that comes up in the future that affects our community). The City has agreed to meet with David and I this month to create a plan on how to best inform the community, in addition to having an opportunity to allow citizens in our community to solicit input on this issue.
David Wilson
President
Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association
: 
I am opposed to adding more traffic lights on Memorial Drive between 10 St. NW and Center St. NW; – especially for the new bridge! In my opinion the bridge should have been designed to connect with the existing lights on 7th St NW.
If there is now a concern about jaywalkers at 8th St. NW, just install fences or commemorative walls in their way. Poor designs and plans do not have to be compounded by more poor designs and plans! An alternative solution (to satisfy those who have a pressing need to spend money) may be to cul-desac 8th St. at Memorial Dr. and continue the bridge right across Memorial Drive onto 8th street with lots of ramps for disabled and able bodied people. This would also remove the need for the existing lights at 7 St., facilitating the smooth flow of traffic along Memorial Dr.
Respectfully,
Dave Wallace
434 Memorial Drive NW
davesnews@telus.net