Maya McFadden Photo
Slated for an upgrade: Kimberly Square’s crossroads.
Hill pedestrians may soon have a safer — and more scenic — path through Kimberly Square.
City Engineer Giovanni Zinn says he is optimistic about the start of a crosswalk remodeling project at the busy Howard-Kimberly Avenue triangle in the neighborhood’s commercial heart.
Zinn presented that update during the monthly Hill South Community Management Team (CMT) meeting this past Wednesday in response to a request from Hill Alder Kampton Singh for an update on the project, which had been put on pause for more than three years.
The crosswalk project at the triangle is a part of a $3 million state-funded project to repave areas from South Sea Street to Columbus Avenue and add traffic safety infrastructure improvements — such as traffic calming measures, upgraded curb and sidewalks and bike lanes and signals.
Zinn said he doesn’t yet have an estimate for the Kimberly crosswalk portion. Including paving and signal work, it may end up in the vicinity of $50,000, he estimated.
For years Singh and other Hill residents have requested that an extended crosswalk be put at the intersection, with a pause at the island for seniors and kids. The island will be adjusted to make the crosswalk a two-stage passage Zinn said.
Blueprint for crosswalk project.
“For elderly people making it across that whole street in one go can be extremely hard,” said Singh. “If walkers have a stand pad in the center to stop then continue crossing it will help make it much safer or else they’ll be rushing.”
The CMT also dedicated funds to add a clock tower on the island to beautify the busy corridor. Singh said he hopes the clock will also keep drivers from looking at their phones while driving in the area.
The project was delayed due to the gas company replacing the main beneath Howard Avenue, said Zinn. The gas project was completed this past fall. Zinn is now finishing up on project paperwork.
“The triangle can become an anchor for Hill South. Almost like a landmark for our neighborhood,” Singh said.
Zinn plans to return to the CMT to give an update on the plan when construction nears. He has not yet set a start date or chosen a contractor.
At the meeting this past Wednesday evening the CMT also heard from three organizations asking for a letter of support to apply for financial assistance through the the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Federal dollars flow every year to cities like New Haven, which then decide how to split them up.
The group postponed the vote to decide on which organizations to support. The Wednesday presentations were from Collab, a nonprofit that helps New Haveners develop new projects with seed money and training; and Continuum of Care Inc’s lawn care apprenticeship program and bathroom remodeling of a halfway house at 599 Howard Ave.
Amed Logrono addresses community vaccine concerns.
Yale New Haven Hospital doctor Amed Logrono joined the Wednesday meeting to answer questions about the Covid-19 vaccines. Since the rollout, the medical community has worked to be more accessible to the community to get their questions and concerns answered by professionals. Logrono said he has attended town hall and CMT meetings and radio sessions and had 40 minute conversations with patients about their concerns in order to offer them with information backed by medical research.
To register for a vaccination residents can contact the health department at 203 – 639-2245. Residents should leave a message and wait for a call back
Before adjourning the meeting the management team concluded with a vote on its Hill South slogan. The group voted in favor of the slogan, “There is no unity without the community.”
I only notice four cross light signals, is there one at each crosswalk, or just those four?
The island with the clock tower looks nice, I would hope that it has a wrought iron fence or raised curb or planters to prevent pedestrians from crossing anywhere but at the ADA ramps at the crosswalks and to provide a physical and visual barrier to vehicles.