Don't Take Our Lanes! Campaign:
Prioritize Community Needs in the Montopolis Drive Redesign
Needs of Montopolis Residents:
• ADA-Compliant Infrastructure:
Upgrade all sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb cuts to meet or exceed federal standards, ensuring dignity and mobility for elders, disabled residents, and families.
• Reroute Bike Infrastructure Thoughtfully:
Position bike lanes along safer corridors that better serve cyclists and pedestrians, especially in areas with narrow right-of-way and dense residential usage. Construct dedicated bike lane and pedestrian walkway along Kemp Street instead of Montopolis Drive.
• Reject a Dedicated Bus Lane:
Preserve flexible street use for residents, small businesses, and essential services. A bus-only lane would limit access and increase congestion for local families.
• Modernize Montopolis Drive:
Invest in full-scale upgrades—repaving, lighting, traffic calming, drainage, and native landscaping—to build a street that’s safe, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.
• Protect Against Displacement:
Ensure zoning and development changes don't raise property taxes or rental costs that could force long time neighbors out.
Fair Fares Campaign: Ensuring Transportation Equity
As part of the equity committee, we are working to ensure that Project Connect actively centers equity: specifically, by addressing displacement due to the construction of the light rails and demanding they lower the fare prices. Our communities - low income, working class people of color, should be able to afford their spot on the rail. Access to the rail means access to jobs, education, medical care, goods and services.
