Latest news with #walkability
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Hempfield Township wants to add sidewalks near University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg campus
Leaders are looking to make it safer to walk on a busy road in Hempfield Township. If you're walking along Mt. Pleasant Road near the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, a sidewalk ends near the campus housing. It then turns into woods, plants and people's front yards. The idea is to extend the sidewalk to increase connectivity. If you go beyond the sidewalk, it's not the safest walk along Mt. Pleasant Road, as it is almost always an endless line of cars. "We have a great business corridor that we want people to frequent, and not everybody wants to drive to everything," Hempfield Township manager Aaron Siko said. According to Siko, the township has applied for a $1.6 million grant to cover the first phase of work. It would go from Weatherwood Lane and the new municipal center to Old Airport Road. Other phases would take it to Finoli Drive at Pitt Greensburg's campus, Weatherwood Lane to Thornton Avenue, and then along Pellis Road to the Eastwood neighborhood. The project would use the right-of-way they own. "That's where we would intend to put the sidewalks. That's either paved shoulders or grass. There are some encroachments within right-of-ways that we would have to address through that project," Siko said. This stretch of road has seen crashes, and back in 2023, a Pitt-Greensburg student was hit by a car. This project is dependent on getting the grant money. Once the township gets the money, it can start construction in either 2027 or 2028, depending on the permitting process. "We're confident that we have a worthwhile grant application that shows a need for enhanced pedestrian mobility through this corridor," Siko said. Other phases will have to go through the grant proposals after this first one. At this point, there is no word yet on when the other phases of the project could begin.
CTV News
30-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Debate over new sidewalks in Ottawa's Manor Park neighbourhood
The City of Ottawa is looking at installing sidewalks on some residential streets in Manor Park. (City of Ottawa report/website) The City of Ottawa will host a public meeting this evening to discuss plans to install sidewalks on some streets in Manor Park, as some residents raise concerns about plans to build concrete walkways in the neighbourhood. The construction project on Arundel Avenue, Braemar Street, Farnham Crescent, Finter Street, Jeffrey Avenue and Kilbarry Crescent includes watermain and sewer replacement work, the reconstruction of the road with new pavement and catch basins, and the construction of new concrete sidewalks and curbs. Many residential streets in Manor Park currently do not have sidewalks. Signs have appeared across Manor Park that state, 'No need to build sidewalks. Manor Park, a planned community since 1949,' and 'No sidewalks. Don't pave paradise.' According to a city staff presentation for tonight's public meeting, the Official Plan and Pedestrian Connectivity notes sidewalks are mandated on at least one side of local roads to promote walkability and reduce car dependency. Under Pedestrian Connectivity, the presentation says, 'aims to create a safe, accessible, and well-connected pedestrian network linking homes to schools, parks, transit, and shops.' Staff also note the Transportation Master Plan focuses on walking and cycling as key transportation modes and sidewalk expansion is required on at least one side of new local roads, and 'will be pursued on existing local roads where possible.' 'By providing dedicated walking spaces, sidewalks promote walking as a mode of transportation, which can lead to healthier lifestyles and reduced traffic congestion,' the presentation said. 'Sidewalks separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing safety for all road users.' The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Main Event Space, Main Hall at 1805 Gaspé Avenue. The Manor Park Community project involves the following streets: Arundel Avenue, from Farnham Crescent to St-Laurent Boulevard Braemar Street, from Ava Road to Arundel Avenue Farnham Crescent, from Ava Road to north-side dead-end Finter Street, from St-Laurent Boulevard to west-side dead-end Jeffrey Avenue, from St-Laurent Boulevard to Braemar Street Kilbarry Crescent, from Sandridge Road to Ava Road The Manor Park construction project is expected to cost $18.9 million, and will be completed by the fall/winter of 2026.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gary teams up with Notre Dame in new push to revive downtown
The Brief Gary and Notre Dame have teamed up on a downtown revitalization plan focused on walkability, public spaces, and preserving historic buildings. The effort includes community input and the return of a preservation board to guide what stays and what goes. Zoning updates and demolition are underway, backed by funding from the state and Hard Rock Casino, with no final timeline yet. GARY, Ind. - Gary has heard promises of revitalization before — and has often been left waiting. But this time, there's real money behind it and real momentum. What we know The city has partnered with the University of Notre Dame to reimagine its downtown. Students and faculty from the university's School of Architecture spent a year working on the plan, holding public meetings and design workshops to shape the vision. The goal: a walkable downtown filled with shops, public art and community gathering spaces. A key step was reinstating the city's historic preservation board to determine which buildings should be saved and which should be demolished. Mayor Eddie Melton said this idea will only work if the people of Gary keep showing up and staying involved. "This plan is for us as a community. It belongs to all of us, every single one of us in the city. This plan is going to help residents, entrepreneurs, churches, faith leaders, cultural leaders and developers. And it gives us a shared road map to move forward together," Melton said. What's next Next up: updating zoning codes to allow new construction. There's no final timeline yet, but the project has secured funding from the state and Hard Rock Casino. Demolition is already underway. For more details on the 10-year plan, click here.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts say one neighborhood feature is key to maximizing health and happiness: 'Our quality of life has just taken off'
If you've spent time looking for a new home, then you've probably heard the phrase "location, location, location" used once or twice. While it often refers to a property's overall value depending on the area it is in, some experts now believe that where you live can help determine your own health and happiness. Glen Duncan, professor and chair of nutrition and exercise physiology at Washington State University, said that a walkable neighborhood can lead to better overall well-being. "Whether we're active or sedentary really plays a profound role in our health status," Duncan told National Geographic. In a study led by Duncan, researchers examined the connection between outside factors and a person's willingness to get around and walk. These factors included intersection density, population density, and destination accessibility. According to Duncan's team, for each 1% increase in an area's walkability, there was a 0.42% increase in actual neighborhood walking. "There are clear connections between the neighborhood environment and behavior, in this case, it's physical activity," Duncan explained. "The big question is whether that translates into tangible differences in health outcomes, like obesity, coronary heart disease, stroke, or diabetes." The Mayo Clinic has noted that low-impact exercises such as walking can be easily incorporated into daily routines for most people. The more that a person walks, the more it can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, as well as improve mood, sleep, and their overall quality of life. In separate research on the relationship between walkable communities and a person's general well-being, researchers at Texas A&M studied residents inside a planned community in Austin, Texas. The researchers noted that "increased walking in the community correlated with improved social interactions and the perception of social cohesion." Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Having a sense of community can not only provide long-term physical and mental health benefits, but it can also contribute to a better environment as well. Duncan said that could eventually inform how new neighborhoods are designed. "It's not just about increasing activity, it's about decreasing pollution, it's about having a stronger economic area, social fabric," Duncan added. "These are all really strong, powerful benefits that improve our health." Laura Groenjes Mitchell, an active transportation advocate, highlighted the importance of walkability for her and her family. "We chose to live in a very walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the city and our quality of life has just taken off," Groenjes Mitchell told National Geographic. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
