Ash Street Improvements Project

I have lived at 111 N Greenwood Ave, 4 houses south of West Ash Street, for 35 years. A neighbor and I have walked the area along West Ash and south in the early morning for at least 30 of those years. Throughout this time, the amount of traffic, speed of the traffic and size of the vehicles have increased dramatically to the point where we are concerned for our safety during our walks.
This area of modest residential and rental properties is a historic haven in Columbia's central city. Along with personal safety concerns, it is the people who live on West Ash that will be most affected by the manner in which West Ash is 'improved'.
Slowing the traffic, safety concerns and preserving the atmosphere of this historical part of the city cannot be done unless West Ash is designated a neighborhood connector street and making our community concerns a priority of this project and not focusing on how fast someone can get from Stadium to Providence.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the removal of trees as part of the Ash Street Improvements Project. While I fully support efforts to enhance active transportation and implement traffic-calming measures, I do not believe that removing trees is the appropriate way to achieve these goals.

Trees provide numerous environmental and community benefits, including air purification, noise reduction, shade, and improved aesthetics. The removal of trees along Ash Street will not only diminish these benefits but will also negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood, including mine. I live one street over on Worley, and the noise from the road already affects me significantly. Trees serve as a natural barrier to both traffic noise and air pollution—losing them would further degrade the quality of life for residents.

Additionally, I am deeply concerned that this project will result in increased traffic on Worley Street. Worley is a completely residential street between Providence and West Boulevard, yet drivers frequently travel at high speeds, often exceeding safe limits, at all hours of the day and night. The project’s changes to Ash Street are likely to push even more traffic onto Worley, exacerbating an already dangerous situation. Unlike Ash, Worley has no meaningful traffic-calming measures—there are no stop signs or traffic signals between Garth and West Boulevard. This makes it unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists, children, pets, and visitors to the area. Increased traffic volume without appropriate mitigation efforts will directly impact my well-being and the safety of those who live and visit here.

Rather than removing trees, I urge the city to consider alternative solutions, such as incorporating traffic-calming infrastructure on Ash and Worley, improving enforcement of speed limits, and enhancing pedestrian and cyclist protections in a way that does not compromise our neighborhood’s environmental and residential integrity.

Thank you for considering my concerns. I appreciate the city’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure, but I ask that you reconsider the tree removal component of this project and take proactive steps to prevent increased traffic hazards on Worley.
Thank you.

The truth of the matter is that the Ash Street Improvement Project isn’t actually a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project that was identified in the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan. Only seventeen planned improvements were identified in that plan. One of which was the removal of 4-way stops on Ash Street. Without the inclusion of the 4-way stop removal in the Ash Street Improvement Project, it is no longer one of the identified CIP programs, and should be discontinued.
It all started several years ago when planners from the city met with community stakeholders to develop a plan for the West Central Columbia Neighborhood. This link leads to the plan, the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan, that was adopted on December 7, 2015.

https://www.como.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WestAshNeighborhoodPlan.pdf

On page 19, you will see a chart that lists 17 planned improvements that could to be completed within 10 years by utilizing resources from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
One of these improvements was the removal of 4-way stops on Ash Street. The original Ash Street Improvement Plan from 2022 was designed to accomplished this objective. The current Ash Street Improvement Project plan does not include the removal of 4-way stops. It has been changed since the last meeting in 2022 and no longer accomplishes the goal set forth in the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan. Without the inclusion of the 4-way stop removal on Ash Street it should no longer meet the criteria for CIP funding.
However, it does call for a neighborhood modification that was not identified during the development of the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan. The plan calls for the modification of the current sidewalk system on Ash Street. Ash Street currently has a functional sidewalk system that covers both, or either, the north and/or south side of the street. The current plan would remove the sidewalk on the north side of Ash Street, and many mature trees, to build a wider path in its place. This detestable act would destroy the boundless value provided to everyone in the community by these irreplaceable trees.
Next, please refer to page 44 of the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan. You will see that the #1 priority of the Transportation and Infrastructure plan is to construct sidewalks along public streets where they are missing. It also identifies repairing existing sidewalks in poor condition (especially along the north side of Broadway) as a top priority. The current Ash Street Improvement Project does not focus on these top objectives; therefore, it does not follow the Transportation and Infrastructure priorities from the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan.
In Conclusion, the plan may include several aspects of lower importance from the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan, but nothing that was identified as a CIP project is being completed. I would encourage everyone to reach out to city leaders and ask them to terminate the Ash Street Improvement Project and complete a higher priority concern from within the West Central Columbia Neighborhood Action Plan.

I am highly opposed to this plan due to the amount of trees that are going to be tore out of the ground along Ash Street.

I am opposed to this improvement plan due to the amount of trees along Ash Street that have to be removed, according to the preliminary outline.

I am opposed to this improvement plan due to the amount of trees along Ash Street that have to be removed, according to the preliminary outline.

I am a resident in the West Ash Neighborhood. The proposed plan will take up to half of some residents front yards. There is no amount of compensation for this. Some of my neighbors will not be able fit park a car in their drive way after their property has been seized by the city. Why not improve West Broadway? There is plenty of easement along this road and traffic is terrible. Please reconsider this plan and the toll it will take on residents in along West Ash.

I am a West Ash Neighborhood resident. The proposed plan to take up to half of residents front yards in West Ash is an incredible assault to residents. Why is there no proposal to widen or improve bike lanes on West Broadway, where traffic is far worse and there is plenty of easement. I can't help but think that this plan comes at the expense of lower income residents on purpose. There are some residents who will not even have enough room to park their cars in their own driveway if this plan goes forward. Please reconsider.

I am a homeowner and resident on Ash Street. I have reviewed the revised plans for the Ash Street project and am writing with my concerns about how it will adversely affect me and my neighbors who live on Ash Street. Specifically,

1. The project does not respect the request for maintaining green space along Ash Street. In my own yard, I will lose two large shade trees, an ash tree and a linden tree, which are decades old, and which provide shade for my home, as well as screening from busy Ash Street. One of the trees is nearly right on top of the front of my house so I don't understand why they plan to remove it. I spent several hundred dollars on the tree last year to have preventive maintenance for ash borers.
2. The plan will reduce property values along Ash Street. I purchased my home in good faith that I had made a solid investment. Looking at the city's plan, I will lose most of the landscaping in my front yard, which includes several mature trees (ash, linden, a large arborvitae, a Korean dogwood), bushes, and perennials that have been there for decades. My front porch will be just a few feet from traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. There is no doubt that this invasive, destructive project will decrease property values along Ash Street as residents will have reduced front yard space and will lose mature trees and landscaping which render our neighborhood so attractive, welcoming, and desirable. I would not have purchased my property if I had known that the city would come in and destroy the landscaping in my front yard and sequester a good portion of my front yard.
3. The current project includes no plans for traffic calming. There are weekly accidents along Ash Street due to speeding, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists, who have been severely injured at the corner of West and Ash. How does the city's plan improve conditions for residents who live on Ash Street?

The project as currently proposed will encroach homes and properties of those of us who live on Ash Street. Moreover, it provides no benefits to residents in terms of traffic calming or maintaining green space. There is already a sidewalk and bike lanes on both sides of Ash Street. This project provides no advantages for residents and should not be approved.

I am a homeowner and resident on Ash Street. I have reviewed the revised plans for the Ash Street project and am writing with my concerns about how it will adversely affect me and my neighbors who live on Ash Street. Specifically,

1. The project does not respect the request for maintaining green space along Ash Street. In my own yard, I will lose two large shade trees, an ash tree and a linden tree, which are decades old, and which provide shade for my home, as well as screening from busy Ash Street. One of the trees is nearly right on top of the front of my house so I don't understand why they plan to remove it. I spent several hundred dollars on the tree last year to have preventive maintenance for ash borers.
2. The plan will reduce property values along Ash Street. I purchased my home in good faith that I had made a solid investment. Looking at the city's plan, I will lose most of the landscaping in my front yard, which includes several mature trees (ash, linden, a large arborvitae, a Korean dogwood), bushes, and perennials that have been there for decades. My front porch will be just a few feet from traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. There is no doubt that this invasive, destructive project will decrease property values along Ash Street as residents will have reduced front yard space and will lose mature trees and landscaping which render our neighborhood so attractive, welcoming, and desirable. I would not have purchased my property if I had known that the city would come in and destroy the landscaping in my front yard and sequester a good portion of my front yard.
3. The current project includes no plans for traffic calming. There are weekly accidents along Ash Street due to speeding, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists, who have been severely injured at the corner of West and Ash. How does the city's plan improve conditions for residents who live on Ash Street?

The project as currently proposed will encroach homes and properties of those of us who live on Ash Street. Moreover, it provides no benefits to residents in terms of traffic calming or maintaining green space. There is already a sidewalk and bike lanes on both sides of Ash Street. This project provides no advantages for residents and should not be approved.

Como500, thank you for your comment. The Ash Street Improvements Project was postponed. It is expected to begin construction at the earliest in summer 2025, but it's more likely that it will start in the spring of 2026.

I have corrected the error on this page. Thank you for pointing it out.

Is this project still happening? It was supposed to be completed this summer.

I am glad round abouts are being left out of the plan. Trash trucks, school buses, fire engines, police cars. Round abouts hinder this process. I am against the green space. I hate mowing that space. I would much rather have that land on my side so I can have more yard. I if you put the 5 ft side walk and 4 ft green space together you are still taking 9ft of space instead of 10ft but still in many yards, putting the sidewalk at peoples front door and eliminating their driveways. Still have not stated what you are going to do with all the trees/

I was very disappointed to see round-a-bouts presented at the second meeting. The traffic study presented during the first meeting eliminated the need for them.

Extending the project to Providence was a positive change. However, the 8-ft "pedway" or "side-path" as an alternate to a westbound bike lane is still very dangerous. On paved surfaces, cyclists can travel 10-25mph easily. If you were to insert ASHTO visibility triangles at each driveway for cyclists traveling 10mph, it would be obvious that it is not safe and potentially a liability hazard for the city.

I would strongly recommend cost cutting the project to simple improvements as complete 5-ft sidewalks on both the south and north side of Ash Street, with 2-3 feet of landscape buffer. The current north sidewalk is only 4-ft in most places, so the extra 12 inches would be a great improvement. Also keep and complete 5-ft bike lanes on both sides of Ash Street. Savings for the reduced and more balanced scope might allow funds for improved storm water infrastructure and/or LED street lighting at intersections.

These improvements will be well received and used.

Thanks to the City of Columbia Public Works for providing this forum. I am generally a fan of SINGLE LANE roundabouts and would like to see the proposed roundabout happen at Ash and Clinkscales. I live on Gary St and am a frequent pedestrian, biker, and driver through this intersection. I went to see the display at the ARC in March and I was pleased to learn that the mid-lane island was 6 feet in length. That's enough room for a bike, stroller, or power wheelchair.
As a pedestrian or biker, I will feel more confident crossing the proposed roundabout because you only have to look in one direction at a time 1) to your left to get to the island, 2) to your right, before leaving the island.
In contrast, the current 4-way stop requires the pedestrian to look to the left, ahead, to the right, and to the rear, all at the same time before leaving the safety of the sidewalk. I think high-traffic 4-way stop are hazardous (we've had 2 fender benders at that intersection - the only accidents we've had in town).
p.s. tangent issue: please stop planting any vegetation in the center of any roundabout. Having clear, unobstructed, 270 degree visibility is necessary for safe entry.

Also reading Dawn Zeterberg and JackieS’s comments from about 2 months ago. The situation with holes in the bike lanes along Ash due to utility work has not improved much. There appear to be more holes now since utility work (by Ameren?) has been on going through the summer. Some holes have recently been filled with what seems like a temporary asphalt fill, but the fill is extremely uneven. Others still remain with gravel filling and there is a large steel plate that has been there for at least a month. I have damaged bike wheels on these in the past I’m not surprised to hear that these conditions would be a significant issue for wheelchair users. There are many members of our community who do use the bike lanes on Ash for this purpose. We need to ensure that streets and sidewalks are safe for all who use them regardless of their mode of transportation.

Thank you again for the many opportunities to discuss and provide feedback. A few questions.
1) Could the versions of the previous concept diagrams that were presented at the first Interested Parties meeting also be uploaded so that we can see how the plan has evolved. I’m now seeing only the most recent concept diagrams on the CIP page as well.
2) will the addition of the green space between the curb and the 8 ft pedestrian path on the north side require the path to be built closer to the existing homes. (Take up more of what was front yard space)?
3) does the current plan still narrow the width of the driving lanes between Park and Redwood? Could the road width at a few key points be marked on the concept diagrams?
4) Is a marked crosswalk with a pedestrian island planned for the intersection at Park/First and Ash Street?

I'm a big fan of the roundabouts at these intersections. Traffic is always heavy especially at Clinkscales and Ash and I don't see that it would be a problem for pedestrians.

Roundabouts are fantastic.

They do not confuse pedestrians, nor are they complicated for traffic. If these are truly issue for you, as a person when encountering a roundabout, you just need some practice. Circles are a very easy shape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46mOPz3rhHs here is a great tutorial on using a roundabout

Does the 8 ft multipurpose sidewalk contain a bike lane within it? The roundabout intersections look difficult for pedestrians to navigate. Therefore, I do NOT favor the roundabouts.