I am quite surprised by the number of responses to this entry. Streets and feeling safe on them do matter to people. Goldsmith is the busiest street through the area.
I was actually moved to respond to a particular comment.
This was the SECOND response from "Dismembered."
His comment (simply pasted in without editing):
I still don't see why a street that will "never be a major connector" needs bike lanes, and a median down the center, and decorative curbs. It just seems to me in the economy that we live in today, this is all just a waste. You said in your original article "I am surprised that there are not more accidents along this stretch of Goldsmith". Do you think that maybe, just maybe, you are worrying about a problem that has been inflated in your own head beyond realistic limits? I have never seen an accident on this part of Goldsmith Lane. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened. But Louisville has far too many more (expensive) problems to worry about. The easiest, fastest, and less expensive solution to this problem is to make Goldsmith Ln 4 lanes.
-30-
Sir,
Thank you for responding "twice" to this particular blog entry.
I conclude that by your having responding twice that you yourself have an interest in this subject. I would guess that it has your passions.
Some people who live on Goldsmith have concerns about safety on that street. I think that I am merely bringing their concerns to light.
If you do live in the Bon Air Neighborhood, I would encourage you to go to the next Bon Air Neighborhood Association Meeting at the Bon Air Library 11/9 at 6:30 pm and get involved in the discussion.
I dont know who made that comment, but I am an EMT and I can tell you without a doubt, for a FACT that I have personally seen at least 3 bycyclist hit near or on that section of raodway in the last 2 years. Just because YOU dont know about it doesnt mean it doesnt happen jackass! People in this city are way too quick to form an opinion about something and give voice to it just because they themselves have never seen, heard, or experienced it! Have you ever seen a baby pigeon on the sidewalk?? Do you think they simply dont exist because YOU have never seen one! Freaking DUH!
To Dammit Faye: I thought I mad myself clear when I said "I have never seen an accident on this part of Goldsmith Lane. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT HASN'T HAPPENED". I wrote the second half of that quote in all caps to make sure you didn't miss it a second time. Oh and great way to throw name calling into your response, real mature.
To Bon Air Observer: To be honest with you my interest in this subject is simply that I came across your article and found a few things that I disagreed with. I use Goldsmith Lane often, and used to work at a small business near the corner of Goldsmith Lane, so I am very familiar with this street and thought that I would throw my opinion out for your consideration.
With that said, I believe that these kinds of decisions should be made by the people who use the road the most and that is the residents who live on the street. Between them, and metro government, I believe a solution to everyone's concerns (whether it be safety, financial, future planning, etc..) will be worked out.
I appreciate it anytime someone actually takes the initiative to address these concerns, and I apologize for the tone of my other posts. If my work schedule allows me to attend the next neighborhood meeting I will be glad to attend.
We'd love to see you there. The meetings are open to all and while Goldsmith Lane's traffic pattern hasn't been high on the list of discussion topics, it is something that we hope to be involved with when it does come time to repave it. The word I got from Public Works was "when it needs it" so it could be years before that happens.
It is quite an odd street indeed, as the Bon Air Observer has pointed out That section from Bardstown Rd to Bon Air Ave is striped for two lanes of cars but is wide enough for 4 lanes and probably a bike path as well. It reminds me of Kramer's "Adopt a Highway" improvements in a Seinfeld episode where he repainted the expressway to widen the lanes...making them "nice and spacious".
My main reason for wanting to see the major re-striping is that I don't want to see them widen Goldsmith to 4 lanes the entire length and tear up people's yards. I doubt that's ever been a consideration, but making it a nice, consistent two-lane road with a clearly defined bike path and designating it an official "Bicycle Route" would hopefully give it the feel of quiet neighborhood street and prevent someone from thinking it can be the next Dixie Highway or Fern Valley Road. Right now, Goldsmith almost seems like a Franken-road with it's quiet southern section welded to it's arterial eastern section.
It is a running commentary on the news and occurances and in the Bon Air and Highgate Springs Neighborhood. It also contains philosophical discourse on what the neighborhood needs for it to be vibrant and robust.
Bon Air Observer