There is a bit of an issue brewing Downtown in the Columbus Park neighborhood… A new mixed-use development proposed by architect Kite Singleton wants to use angle parking on 5th Street, which is  a BikeKC route.  The city’s Public Works Department and City Plan Commission have recommended reversing the standard angle parking so that cars don’t back into traffic (and bicycles) when exiting parking stalls.

Unfortunately the developers are opposed to this change and 1st District Councilmembers Deb Hermann and Bill Skaggs are pushing for the more dangerous head-in angle parking. The issue will be heard in the Planning and Zoning Committee on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 26th Floor of City Hall.

If you are a KCMO resident, please consider contacting the P&Z Committee and asking them to support bicycle safety in Columbus Park.

It’s as a simple as saying “I support the recommendation of Public Works and City Plan Commission to improve bicycle safety by using back-in angle parking on 5th Street in Columbus Park, as per Ordinance 090441″.

Planning & Zoning Committee Members:
*Terry Riley, Chair, 5th District: -816-513-1629, schylon_clayton@kcmo.org
*Cindy Circo, Vice-Chair, 5th District: 816-513-1633, gina_boucher@kcmo.org
*Beth Gottstein, 4th District, 816-513-1616, jim_giles@kcmo.org
*John Sharp, 6th District, 816-513-1615, araceli_gallegos@kcmo.org
*Ed Ford, 2nd District, 816-513-1601, lisa_minardi@kcmo.org

More information:

• Ordinance 090441, specifically Item #20 and the Staff Report.
• KCBike.Info’s guide to angle parking and bicycles.