HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/20/2010 Audience ParticipationBarge - Chestnut Neighborhood Association
Dear City Manager Zais,
For a Safe, Viable and Historic
CITY OF YAKIMA
April 18, 2010 1 APR 19 2010
OFFICE OF CITY MANAGER
The Barge - Chestnut Neighborhood Association (BCNA) seeks to maintain the safety, livability, and
viability of our neighborhood. Thus, we are extremely concerned about the recent (4/11/10 & 4/17/10)
shootings, and the increase of crime, that have occurred within or adjacent to our neighborhood.
The 4/11 gang - related shooting occurred within the BCNA neighborhood (100 block of N 30`h Ave.) on
Sunday afternoon while residents were out working in their yards. Reportedly, the shooters were
chasing down the victims who were on their way to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital (YVMH).
(Thirtieth Avenue is a well - known, and heavily used, short cut to YVMH from Summitview Avenue.)
The BCNA has been working for over 5 years to implement a comprehensive Traffic Calming plan to
reduce the speed and volume of traffic (mostly cut - through traffic) in the neighborhood. We've seen
this as a vital element in maintaining the aforementioned qualities of life held dear by our neighbors. In
addition, the BCNA has been working to maintain these qualities through our efforts in forming and
coordinating Block Watches, preserving the historic attributes of our neighborhood, and working with
YVMH in their expansion/development plans, which include controlling traffic to the hospital
The BCNA has been working hard to do our part. However, we need a renewed commitment from the
city to help us maintain the safety, livability, and viability of not just our neighborhood, but throughout
our community as a whole.
Therefore, the BCNA would like your assistance in the immediate implementation of the BCNA Traffic
Calming plan, (which would include allowing YVMH to close South 30`' Ave at their northern boundary
and divert traffic at South 28' and Walnut) This plan has already been approved and budgeted for —
please help us protect our neighborhood by finally implementing it.
Additionally, the BCNA would like to see the city council start taking greater steps toward addressing
the gang problem in our community, as tins problem seems to be steadily growing worse. We realize
that in these difficult economic times, the response may be that, "We can't afford to do anything about
it." However, we contend that the city can't afford NOT to do anything about it. The safety, livability,
and viability of our entire community depend on it.
Sincerely,
Walt Ranta
President - Barge- Chestnut Neighborhood Association
BCNA • c/o 211 S 24"' Avenue • Yakima, WA 98902