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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCSP Oversight Committee ReportSummary of Spring 2000 TCSP Survey Number of surveys sent out 2616. Number of surveys returned 115. Return Rate of 4.4% Of the 115 surveys: (14) or 12.2% returned to Ricci's (28) or 24.3% returned to Post Office (30) or 26.1% returned to Jan's IGA (43) or 37.4% returned to City Hall of the individuals who offered their ages, the following was calculated: Age Range (yrs.) <25 26-45 46-65 >65 Actual numbers 0 32 30 30 Percent 0% 34.8% 32.6% 32.6% The percent of positive versus negative responses of questions 1-3 are as follows: Question # Total # of responses Total # positive % positive Total # negative % negative 1 102 86 843% 16 15.7% 2 102 72 70.61o 30 29.4-0/o 3 94 43 45.7% 51 543% Main themes running through surveys: 1) Repair the streets, gutters, curbs and sidewalks through out the city first, before starting any new projects, 2) Abandon the roundabout idea at the 1St and 1St intersection. 3) Repair the 5t" Ave. RR crossing. 4) Pickup litter trash all over town. 5) Repair/paint the underpass. 6) Create a left turn lane or conversely eliminate all left turns at the 1St and Main intersection. 7) Landscape by RR and Cenex. 8) Plants for landscaping will require water and water rates are already too high. 9) Taxpayers can't bear the burden of these proposed projects. 10) Misinformation as to how this grant money can be spent. o G b ?° y 3 .. v ° 3 o a 9 0 ° G to y v J •? y O I Summary of Spring 2000 TCSP Survey Number of surveys sent out 2616. Number of surveys returned 115. Return Rate of 4.4% Of the 115 surveys: (14) or 12.2% returned to Ricci's (28) or 24.3% returned to Post Office (30) or 26.1% returned to Jan's IGA (43) or 37.4% returned to City Hall of the individuals who offered their ages, the following was calculated: Age Range (yrs.) <25 2£-45 46-65 >65 Actual numbers -0 - 32 30 30 Percent 0% 34.8% 32.6% 32.6% The percent of positive versus negative responses of questions 1-3 are as follows: Question # Total # of responses Total # positive % positive Total # negative % negative 1 102 86 84.3% 16 15.7% 2 102 72 70.6% 30 29.4% 3 94 43 45.7% 51 54.3% Main themes running through surveys: 1) Repair the streets, gutters, curbs and sidewalks through out the city first, before starting any new projects, 2) Abandon the roundabout idea at the 15t and 15t intersection. 3) Repair the 5t" Ave. RR crossing. 4) Pickup litter/trash all over town, 5) Repair paint the underpass. 6) Create a left turn lane or conversely eliminate all left turns at the 1St and Main intersection. 7) Landscape by RR and Cenex. 8) Plants for landscaping will require water and water rates are already too high. 9) Taxpayers can't bear the burden of these proposed projects. 10) Misinformation as to how this grant money can be spent. C 1'TY 4+A L_ TCSP SURVEY - SPIRING 2000 CITY HALL SITE QUESTION QUESTION QUESTION ACE RANGE 1Q 31? QUESTION # 4 REMARKS #A U * denotes npnp given + + + Comments AdW C 1 1 1 1 Grass, trees, sidewalks. * es CH2 1 1 neutral no res o se 63 1 Yes 3 1 1 5 lane road * Yes C H4 1 neutral not answered n response) Yes CH5 1 1 1 no response) 29 & 30 2 Yes CH6 1 1 1 1 like trees & a nice sign welcoming people to Laurel. 70 314 1 Yes CH7 Widen and fix up, what we already have. These ideas are ridiculous Yes 1 1 and waste mone l CHO None- Did the planners consider the large trucks traveling this route. hey need the;pomple? area for traveling without adding more Yes 1 1 obstructions or congestion. C H9 1 1 1 Trees, Flowers, etc. 33 1 es CH10 Put a ped. sign crossing at the bottom of the underpass=crossing main street is very dangerous, people walking toward the north with Yes the green litp, carIp coming out pf the pass, turning rite, some day, not answered of answered not answered some ed. is going to et hurt bad CH1 1 Lpndscaping--trees, flowers, etc with provision for watering & other 58 1 Ye 1 1 1 maintenance. s CH 12 1 1 No Comment. 721 1 Yes CH13 Keeping the underpass CLEAN and painted! It is really an eyesore 43 & 44 2 or residents and visitors. The underpass is the "gateway" to Yes 1 1 1 downtown. CH14 Curb and gutter work on the west side of the street and a pedestrian 44 1 Yes 1 1 crosswalk that is clearly marked. CHI 5 Put in a stop light at 4th South and the in coming Exit ramp from the 47 1 interstate. You would slow traffic down coming to Laurel from Red Yes 1 1 1 Lodge and create -a safer traftflow'.-I CH16 1 1 1 none. that is a State Highway. 72 1 Yes CH17 1 1 1 some lace to walk and cross street! 34 1 Yes CHI 8 1 1 1 ?trees, sign control, interior sidewalks away from street 50 1 Yes TOP SURVEY - SPRING 2000 CITY HALL SITE QUESTION QUES71ON QUESTION A GE RANG QUESTION # 4 E ? ? * denotes, none given R MARKS + + + Cgm ants Ad" !5' 2L,4 CH 9 1 1 1 no response) 60 1 Yes CH20 1 1 possibly? see #1 43 Yes CH21 I like the proposed look of the picture that was sent with this 56 1 1 1 1 uestionaire Yes CH22 Stop light on East/West railroad intersection. Truck traffic is very 48 1 heavy, IE: Schessler, Pro-pump, Fox lumber,MRL, BN$F, car Yes 1 1 1 transport, car convoys, etc. CH43 curb, gutter and side walk on Vilest side of S. First ave. some trees 70 1 1 1 would be nice also. Yes CH 24 Curb and side Walk down the west side of street East side street 70 widen be from (GA--south to SE 4th St pnd,have 2 lanes one fqr Yes 1 1 1 Right through t r other lane throw h CH25 1 1 1 no response) 28 1 Yes CH?6 None, it is just fine the way it is. Maybe aspruced- up "Welcome To 37 1 1 1 Laurel""si n wquld be nice. Yes CH27 neu tral 1 1 2 more stop lights 57 1 Yes CH28 Stop light coming of freeway & more police to'slow down speeders 55 1 E 1 1 1 more cross walks Y S CH29 1) A stop light is needed on the intersection between South First' 43 Avenue and South Fourth Street. 2) Cross walks are also needed around the area of IGA or Hardees. Pedestrians cannot get across Yes 1 1 1 he road. CH30 1 1 1 It real) needs greenery, like Video Libra has done. 45 1 Yes CH31 ** ** ** ** ** ** see original letter letter'. CH32 I like the drawing, however, who will take care of it since much in 55 1 Laurel could use some work now? (streets, gutters, ;corner drains, Yes 1 1 1 the smell of both Cenex and the asphalt plant) CH33 few trees & plants. Better sidewalks. Improved landscaping to 30 1 hide railroad tracks @ west side of street ( as much as railroad allows) and landscape at interchange. Replace railroad bridge or Yes 1 1 1 i mprove looks. Get rid of casinos TCSP SURVEY?- 5P RING 22000 CITY HALL SITE QUESTION QUESTION qUESTION AGE RANG I" QUES71ON #4 * REMARKS #2 #1 denotes, none givpn + + + Actual ?25 CH34 1 1 1 qme landscaping 71 Yes CH 15 not answered 1 not answered no res o se 76 1 Yes Ch36 1 1 1 1) Address the issue of signage clutter. 2) Improve traffic safety--too man a in lot exits and dangerous left turns across traffic. 54 1 Yes & letter CH37 1 1 1 no response) 86 1 Yes & letter CH48 1 1 1 It would be nice if it had landscaping types, or something To make hp prep more attractive for locals & to attract tourists but traffic c ntrol$ p (e a ust 59 1 Yes Ch J9 2 2 2 no ros o' se es CH40 not answered not answered not ns ered The Ian lpolcs very pice Out I think we shpuld concentrate on a now m d le sc opl & than YMCA 71 1 NO CH J1 not ans wered of answered not ans eyed Fix a streets! How about R.R. Crossing pn 5th Ave.? No CH J2 1 1 1 no response) es CH43 1 1 I think the planning so far has Been good! I especially appreciate the center turn lanp--HoWever, I think there should be be NO LEFT t TORN at the t top cf the underpass unless a center lane , is put in , 79 1 Yes & letter TOTALS-- CITY HALL SITE # POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG. 26.45 43 33 5 31 8 20 16 0 13 12 10 Remarks: TCSP survey Spring 2000 City Hall Site ID # Age Verbatim remarks other comments 0111 * 1. more sidewalks along 1" Ave South- and Ricci's up at their proposed site on 1" Ave N. Others 1) I think the Laurel Business people need to be a bit more competetive in their prices - and offer more of a selection so we can do more than grocery shop in Laurel. 2) The community needs to get more informed on why the water bills are going up, etc _The only way to be more informed is by getting involved in City Meetings... not hearing finis-information at gossip groups. I think the City letter will make a big difference. Keep tip the good work LRL! C112 63 1. I would have a left turn lane at the top of the overpass heading into town or No Left Turns at all. 2. Yes 3. We shop a lot in Laurel just the way it is CH3 * 1. I would like to see the asphalt supply blow up and land on city hall! Others The people at City Hall should be working for the public instead of the public working for them}. 0114 * 1. What I would like to see is something similar to Leavenworth, Washington. The town did a Bavarian or German look. All the businesses put on new stare fronts. Very nice looking. This really fits Laurel, a natural for this community. 2. If this is of interest to anyone I would be glad to come down to one of your meetings and discuss it in more detail. I am retired now but I do have 39 years experience in this natter and could assist in the program. CffJ 29 / 30 1, not any CH6 7041 1,Have store fronts looking more attractive down main street going east to west of 1" Ave. and have all the weeds cleaned pp, CH7 * 1, Fix streets and sidewalks first. 2, NO! I don't like the islands in Billings, either. 3, NO! Wake-up people-1st Ave is a state highway. How will ambulances get to the interstate from the clinic. Others Use that grant for better uses Like fixes sidewalks and streets. U18 1. A new railroad crossing at 5' Ave. I've heard this will be rebuilt so many times I'm tired of listening about the crossing. Before any new plans are started sidewalks & streets should be redone in downtown & residential areas & 5qAye RR crossing. 2, No - Not at the present time. I feel other projects such as above mentioned items should have priorities. Does the the council have a list of priorities? The complete plan about improving the downtown are should be done over. What did Fisher & Associates charge for the drawings? 3. No- We need road and sidewalk space not flower pots jutting into the space. The space on the SW corner of 1°` & I` would be a good place for seating but is not sunny enough for planting. our season would have 9 months bare of tree leaves & flowers--What A Waste! Others Are the plans for down town solid or can they be changed? What are the plans for the engine located at 1" & 1" ? 1" Ave I understand is still a listed hiway. This area will be a nitemare & a traffic hazard as planned. Are suggestions going to be considered or will they be thrown in the garbage? Vehicles on streets & alleys should be removed if licensed has expired. CH9 38 1. Clean it up/mow weeds SL trees that are overgrown. Fix streets. Street clean all of the streets in town, not just downtown. We're paying for it! Others Start community ride in their town. This starts with the city workers having pride. Expand container site days and hours. CH10 * Others I walk a lot & pick garbage up & put it in dumpsters- would I be fined Ilke that guy was? If us citizens don't pick garbage up. Can you believe what this town would look like? My neighbors throw boxes in the dumpsters, never break them up. When garbage is dumped on Tues. by Wed. nite one can't get no garbage in. Don't tell us to use the next one, as the neighbor there gets very irate if she see's one of us using "her" dumpster! Could the city put a letter in the water Bill everyone doesn't get the Outlook. CH11 58 1. Include Sol" Ave. also Page 1of 5 CH12 72 1. First Ave First St intersection. This is an accident in waiting. To many think 4 way stop means stop, then hurry up and go. 2. Somewhat -don't go overboard. 3. Not necessarily. Other, Be less narrow minded with zoning. Growth is a must and we all need to accept change and realize nothing stays the same. CH13 43 1. Keep the business district (commercial) together-not venturing into residential areas. & 2. Yes, but leave the roundabout out of the prospective plan. The round about is not practical for snowplows, fire trucks, etc... we like the idea of 44 the locomotive though, put it elsewhere. Other, also, the garbage cans out in front of the businesses at 112 first Ave. South are very unsightly-they belong in the back! curb & gutter on west side of 1" Ave. South would be a nice addition. We really like the artists drawing of what laurel could look like. Laurel is a nice town-keeping it mg Ilea and maintained is very important if you want to attract shoppers! CH14 44 1. Repair and replace street surfaces within town. Also add street lighting. 2. Repairing and resurfacing city streets along with more street lights would accomplish this. I would not support the cosmetic changes proposed until this is completed. 3. We live and shop here' by choice. Cos{netic ehanges would not affect this. CH15 47 1. The underpass has always been an eye sore. If we could repair it & paint- and just clean it up more often would help allot. 2. Yes 3. We work down there & visit now. I think this would attrack more people down town & would keep the Tourists here longer. Other, We geed to create more parking downtown and the new proposed ideas looks as though that would work. In the diagram for the new Laurel I wouldn't consider putting a t ocomotive in the center of V 4ve, You would be blocs ing the resent store front of the old Penney building. Also it would create a place of kids to want to go to & that would be dangerous. Thanks. CH16 72 1, Fix up our streets and sidewalks, first. CH17 34 1. better parking downtown-4tied?) to parks to walk irl-walk to river-bicycle to Billings CH18 50 1. Clean up 1". Ave.! Parks along river and between Billings Other, keep our identity CH19 60 1. I would like to see some sort of public transportatioq for handicapped citizens and older citizens that cannot drive. They should have a transportation system to go to doctor's appts'. shopping and appointments or pleasures. 2. Yes, provided that adequate roads are provided for getting from South side (Red Lodge, South residential, Freeway & Park City) easily- not having trains block both tracks on the south side or other streets that may be made. 3. Probably-but again adequate acess to the area is essential and to the other side of the tracks. Other, Before you change the streets, I think more facilities for community are needed- community center, skate board path for our youth, public transportation for seniors and nondrivers. P.S. I still think a community center large enough to hold Herbfest, Weddings, Sporting events (swimming, Volleyball etc) would help keep the city's citizens home. CH20 43 1. O Investigating the feasibility of a stop lite on 1" Ave. North possibly by Video Library? Its very difficult to pull out onto 1" Ave. So. © Side walk & storm drains on the west side of 1". Ave. So. & crosswalks. ®Eliminate left turns 1" Ave. So.4Main 2. Yes 3. Possibly? CH21 56 1. Something must be done with the abandoned buildings on 1" street. 2. Yes very much Other, We need something to make Laurel business to compete with Billings- we need to attract new business to Laurel, 2of5 CH22 48 1, Commercial corridor on west end. (west of softball complex) with addition of west-bound interstate exit at this point. 2. Yes. 1. Enforce parking laws, the intersection at the Palace/Dairy Queen is often blocked by people parking up to the west corner. 2. Remove on street loading/unloading zones. 3. Yes, If adequate, convenient parking is stressed. the project in Billings has shown serious problems with parking, and safety. The landscape "bunkers" block drivers view. CH23 70 1, angle parking down town would increase the number of parking spaces get rid of the ugly weeds south of Western Drug. Other: remove old vacant deteriorating Buildings==Bill the owner of these for the cost of removal, get rid of the ordnance that requires a certain amount of parking for a business our movie theater was not rebuilt because of this out dated ordnance!! CH24 70 1. l would like to see more work on street and side walks & curbs be replaced and up grade all streets--Remove all pipe that goes in street by the corners get more drains in street to get the water out of town. 2. Yes 3. Yes we doe anyway Other: Club would like to see old Building that are not up to par taking down and replaced or removed for Parking etc. CH25 28 1. The space where the old movie theater was should be paved and turned into a parking lot. 2. Sure, but I want to see the tore-up, pott holed streets-all over this town, not just certain areas fixed 1". before any new construction on good streets Other: Why don't you fix the busted up streets you have allover town. The ones on the east side and the south side I think you got some good ideas, but fix the problems you have first! CH26 37 1. At the underpass on 1" Ave, I would Move the retaining wall (North of underpass) to the east to allow for another lane in the northbound traffic lane so that a left hand tarn 4 a straight through traffic lane could exist together with the existing right hand turn lane. 2, l would support the safety aspect. the attractive portion of it is unnecessary and costly. The worst pedestrian problem we have is middle school children crossing Main street Sv 1" Ave @ lunch hour. They should have a cross walk further East on Main street. 3. Probably not. We visit the downtown area when we have a need, otherwise we do not go there. Parks within the city are our main destination, and d feel that is where some moray should be spent! Other: It would be nice if we had more water pressure. The new water projects did nothing to improve it. CH27 57 1, Get the teens off the street during lunch hour. 2. This should have been tiyo questions- Improved looks okay-But not Bikes they do not work will with walkers or cross traffic 3. It would no make a difference. Other: people who can not drive because of age probably would not walk around town either. We need clothing stores. The roundabouts are a vmy had idea. CH28 55 1. 1. Widen the streets on the south side of Laurel or use one way streets. 2. Do street repair on existing streets 3. Stop lights or better cross walks on highway south. 2. Yes, if they promote safety and better traffic control. 3. More and better shopping not scenery is why we would visit downtown Laurel. Other: 4' ST South one way west & 5`' ST South one way east. CH29 43 1. Less trees--trees cause the sidewalks to buckle and cause damage when the roots grow. Shade can be achieved by using business canopies. 2. Yes. 3. We already spend a lot of time downtown & try to do as much shopping in Laurel as possible. Downtown Laurel looks better already than the mall parking lots in Billings. We would spend more time downtown if businesses stayed open longer and there were a better variety of businesses. CH30 45 1. Eliminate the underpass and south side rail crossings, Don't ask me how, though!@ 2. Yes 3. I BELIEVE SO! Other: Please write these descriptions so we can read them! What's wrong with regular type face? Why not all pointing the same way? See yellow highlight 3 of 5 see letter CH32 55 1. 1°` repair, paint and take care of what we already have. F spending the kind or amount of money will not guarantee more people to come here just because we make Laurel look like these drawings. 3rd Do any of you really know the "size" of a locomotive? The is po room for it's size. 2. Yes and No, It's like putting the cart before the horses. Most if not any of the horses are walking or bicycling. Would they if it was done? Big question. 3. No. Then scenery won't chat}ge the conditions, attitudes, prices or the variety of shopping. We already shop at what we call the maximum amount of what we cap here. Othprr P.S. l) We do not need more traffic confusion & congestion at 1°` St. & 1°` Ave. 2) Diagonal parking wit cause the auto insurance co's to be fighting because of increased accidents. 3) How about a connection bike path to Billings 4) How about a facility or path for roller blading and/or skate boarding. CH33 30 1. Diagonal parking (more spaces) is good. "Locomotive circle" is too much of a restriction to traffic flow. Would like to see the railroad bridge replaced on 1°` Ave. Would like to see less money spent on project depicted and more money spent on improving city streets as a whole-they are- terrible. 2, Yes. Don't think shrubs aKe such a good idea, to the extent shown. Seems like high ;maintenance & a lot of water. Has the committee considered what the long term landscape maintenance budget would be? Othprf 1) Would like to see more pressure put on refinery for cleaner operations. Although part of our economy, the refinery 's emissions are a major "blackmark" on this area. 2) Improve Laurel's streets as a whole. CI4 34 71 1. better streets & sidewalks 2. to a certain degree nothing too extravagant 3. pot necessarily but I do walk u town CU35 76 Othpri Laurel has always been 1°`. C$36 54 1, see letter 2, see letter 3, Although your drawings show a much more attractive dowptgwn area, scenery is not a major factor in our shopping patterns. We patronize local businesses with good service and products at competative prices. The train problem I see with downtown Laurel is the lack of product options available. Otheri Thanks for the opportunity for public input and for your service to the community on this committee. CH37 86 1. I don't see any beautification of Main St. The West end especially needs a lot of improvement. 2. Yes 3. Yes. Area it it has a small department store for men & women clothes. Is very difficult for most seniors to shop in Billings stores. Othen What is going to be done about that awful looking Tharlson Hardware store.[ What does the city of Laurel have of interest for all those tourists, who are supposed to stop here. Not much for stores to browse in. Not much at Chief Joseph Monument. Calamity Janes cabin out there gone. Box Canyon North west where rustlers and horse thieves hid their animals. Square Butte where whites and Indians had a battle and the 1920's where the Klu Klux Klan burned some crosses.) letter paraphrased by typist CH38 59 1. I believe the layout is OK but we better start doing street maintenance E. Side walls, They are in terrible shape & their condition is a real devalue of our town! Not just downtown, all over Laurel. 2. Yes, but without any new taxes or rates, the (mill levee) is one of the highest in Montana and seems that the tax payer is not getting any service for that level of levee! 3. Yes, it would be a wonderful area for walking and we would use it everyday. 4of5 CH39 * 1. Pave streets, get red of the Casinos ($i liars for Family businesses (YMCAish), More gardens, uniform store-front appearances. I would really like to see a park for the children that had a wooden play castle or something like th4t. Our schools are in terrible shape -- is there anything we can do about this?! As a young family with children just entering the school system, t am imMconcerned about my children's education and their safety while attending a school that is a hazard. (Fire & old stairs) The mole people that leave Laurel because of these problems, the worse off we will be. I'm excited to see these drawings. They really give me hope for the future of Laurel! 2. Yes 3. Yes especially if Bars were replaced with good rest's Gr stores. Yes and other people would too if it lpoked a little more enticing from the highway. CU42 1. Lets get the Water Bills back to the way they were. Then we cap talk about making some changes. How much money do you think people have to spend? I'm still mad about he water bill. CH43 1. The R.R. crossing on 541'E ve.. really needs some work Laurel is growing North 4 West so that area seems well taken care of, but we mustn't forget about the needs in the "older" part of town! Sometimes it seems neglected- 2. Yes 3. I do shop downtown and , yes--all of the proposals would add to the pleasure! Other: See attached papers--(2page letter) 5 of 5 f?I CCI IS c?rzvl?Y ?'? TCSP SURVEY, SPRING 2000 RICUS SITE QUESTION QUES11ON QUESTION QuESTIT ACHE RANGE REMARKS #j #-2 #-3 + + + Actual !0 M R1 1 1 1 no response) 59 1 Yes R2 1 1 1 Paint all blacktop parking areas green 60 1 Yes R3 1 1 1 Trees & flowers 75 1 Yes R4 1 1 Ma be What you of on design looks good 34 1 Yes R5 1 1 1 1 have no ideas. I et along with it very well as is. 89 1 Yes R6 1 1 1 no response) 70 1 Yes R7 Nothing comes to mind for this area. Underpass to Main and First ye.ha$ a real traffic problem and something needs to be done in 1 1 1 this area with bus hours of traffic. 70 1 Yes R8 1 1 1 no response) 78 & 75 2 Yes R9 Making a pedestrian walkway that is safe by adding a 3-4 foot high ence or guard rail along the sidewalk. You could also add more lights along that sidewalk for night use. This could be attractive with 1 1 1 _plants along the railing. 38 1 es R10 I wish some of the signs could be eliminated or'combined' i.e., the Locomotive Restaurpnt/Casino, Best Western, and especially Pizza/ 1 1 1 9 Fingers Mustard/Saloon complex! What an eyesore! 50 & 60 2 Yes R11 I would like to see some trees and have something done on the Hardees side. of the underpass, that is such an eyesore and maybe 1 1 1 have a painting done on the tank thats sitting there. 61 1 Yes R12 Clean it up. Have the refinery plant evergreens along their fence & he interstate. Burger King helped to improve that exit. Townpump don't do a thing neither does Jans. Couldn't the highway dept plant some trees & bushes at the exit? Having trucked the USA, Laurel has the most nothing exits I have ever seen. Could Ivy grow on the underpass? We need flower pots or planters. Could some one build planters like a train with the cars strung out along the sidewalk like 1 1 1 in front of Jans & even downtown? 68 1 Yes R13 1 1 1 our proposed changes 43 1 Yes R14 he proposed sketch looks great. Hope and pray the RR will take some pride in improving the RR track crossing, Especially that #)*X 1 1 1 ! 5th Ave. monster. 68 1 Yes TOTALS-- RICCI'S SITE # POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG. 26.45 14 11 3 10 4 10 3 0 3 5 8 Remarks; TCSP survey Spring 2000 Ricci's Site ID # Age verbatim remarkslather comments R1 59 1. If you put a planter or trees at corners it's going to be harder to see pedestrians crossing streets. 2. No. If you want to improve improve what is already here better street repair More parking spaces maybe empty lots into parking lots 3. No There is enough congestion at 1" Ave 6& 1" street without adding a train to look around. Put in a stop light & better cross walk. R2 60 1. The physical layout of Laurel is not the problem. Laurel is just a bedroom commmunity for Billings & in 30 yrs will be_Billings_West. The city officials think that they can have all the bells & whistles & the cost can be passed on to the citizens. We can not handle any more increased fees. 2. No!!! Use this money to lower the cost of city services. Water costs have doubled, garbage collection costs have doubled plus where does it end. Wages have not increased as fast as the cost of living in Laurel. 3. No. The appearance of the downtown has no influence on the way I shop. My train concern is can I get what I need in the local businesses without running to Billings. Others just because you have a federal grant for this boondoggle, don't think that we are not paying for it. The tax dollars are still coming out of our ockets & we have had enough pork barrel projects you can' make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. R3 75 1. Bike trails are good clothing stores R4 34 1. That's fine if you only have to look at the center of town but what about further East or West of 1" Ave & 1" street. Others What about the West & East entrances? there awful blah zah- R5 89 1. I don't know! Keeping your property clean, no junk cars, clean up your trash is a good way to start. Having the Rail Road crossing on 5T` would be a blessing & should be brought to their attention. 2. At this time I can't see that it would help, better streets might. Potholes should be repaired first, sidewalks are in terrible shape, but would people walk more if they were repaired. 3. No. I don't think so, there's nothing like new business, to bring me downtown. I try to keep my yard and surroundings attractive, so wouldn't go to downtown to see, also, who would pay the water bill. Other: Let's start at beginning first, clean up & repair. My opinion:- too much shrubbery and trees and flowers. Who will take care of it, and how about water in our hot d summer. Water bills are very high now, why add on more. Beautiful but to costly to keep u and bring in nothing. R6 70 1. A Hway stop or light during school hours at 1" & 8a` at high school so buses can get out in the morning before someone gets hurt or killed there. R7 70 1. New swimming pool - Movie House 2. I'm downtown almost everyday, I have lived here for 46 years, never gave much thought to it's looks. Visiting relatives & friends I'm sure are not im ressed how Laurel looks. R8 78 1. The physical layout of Laurel is great. We would like an arrow at the light, by the underpass. & 2. Yes, We need to enforce the law of cars, boats etc on the streets for any length of time. Also we would like to see more clean up on our streets dirt weeds are growing on a lot of the streets. We would like to see more street sweeping, not only down town, but thru Laurel. 75 3. Yes, we would it would be more inviting, as in Powell Wy. it's nice to walk on there streets, everything is so clean. R9 38 1. I would like to see restrooms built at Kiwanis Park near my home. I would also like to see restrooms built at other parks like Nutting Park and the park located on the northwest side of town above the big ditch. I don't know the name of it, but it is used for soccer & othersports. RIO 50 1. It would be great if there were some flowers boxes, more trees, and a beautification (paint/awnings) of all the buildings along Main Street. Also, we & should have a plan to patch/repave the streets in Laurel - they are in terrible condition! 2. Yes, certainly. Our streets would look much more attractive (and make our homes look better) if there weren't potholes or grass/weeds growing 60 out from the gutters. 3. 1 know we would visit downtown more! In fact, I know we would especially enjoy walking downtown on summer evenings - enjoying the flowers, trees, and probably doing a little shopping or enjoy an ice cream! Others We love it here in Laurel. We love the people and the sense of community, friendly people, caring people - pls don't make a tourist trap, mone bbin community -- keep it low-key and continue to let the people of Laurel have a decision in the growth process. TD # Age Verbatim remarks/other comments R11 61 1. I like your layout, would like to see something start to happen on it. The street corner by the $ store is a bad one. Would like to see more parking by the City Hall. Definitely need more bike paths 2. Yes 3. We try to buy what we can in Laurel, it would be a big improvement. Could the railroad possibly do something on their side of the street. R12 68 1. I don't think having a locomotive in the middle of the street will improve any thing. Park something that big in there first & then mark in the bumpouts & pr c diagonally for a week & see how it works. What about the trucks that park for local delivery. Would they be able to park. 2. I've never seen any problem with pedestrian & bicycle safety. The cops do need to watch the teenagers more as when its lunch or schools out, they don't seem to know what a 4-way stop is, one follows another. 3. Well I do what shopping I can in Laurel why else would I visit. We need a movie theater downtown. We need some kind of store to draw people to our downtown. We need something in Riccis store when they get their new building - Something that will be the talk of the Town & Area! We need to be "Laurel Home of ? " Other There are no Welcome to Laurel signs. can't the RR do something? It's a beautiful plan. Will it get more people downtown and draw people into Laurel? How much tax money goes into this? Drive to Lovell Wy & see how & what kind of planters they have along the middle of their streets. Some one with a water tan waters their planters & with as many people around here that have water tanks seems as tho someone could do the watering. I don't think we can have planter in the middle but along the sidewalks. I think Laurel needs a big indoor swimming pool. School-City- YMCA. That would draw people from the area. R13 43 1. Your proposed changes qre great. Otherr I think Laurel needs continuous litter and trash clean up along the streets. R14 68 1. The "Vision Laurel" sketches look like a great plan and hope the South Pond project can develop into something worthwhile. 2. Yes, if it doesn't cost an "arm and a leg" in added taxes 3. I'm sure! page 2 of 2 TOP SURVEY - SPRING 2000 POST OFFICE SITE QUESTION QUESTION QUESTION AQE IQ# QUESTION # * REMARKS #A U U denotes none given + + , + Comments Actual !5n 2 - M P01 Its been resurfaced several times what about the rest of the town. , City doesn't even put asphalt down in a spot where a street has Yes 1 1 1 been du u to fix water line, P02 1 1 1 I eas on drawings look interesting 81 Yes P03 1 1 1 Curbs & Gutters Trees along street. --Ash-- Yes P04 1 1 1 Turn lane left at light 50 1 Yes P05 1 1 1 Kee the area cleaner 48 1 Yes P06 Get rid of turning lane between Hardee's and Taco Johns--I've had too many near head ons as one car is there going to Hardees and Yes 1 1 1 I'mp going the opposite direction trying to o et-a taco. P07 Repaving needs to be done--lets of broken up side walk or 45 1 _ underpass sidewalks to be some continuity between businesses--Trees & streets will help slot--several parking lots are still gravel & mud -Can't they be requested to fill in wl pavement? Yes Sidewalks should be reequired all over= right now its unsqfe-This should be our 1 st priority over buildouts & cobblestone work-This is 1 1 1 what people 1 st see & its not pretty, P08 1 1 1 sidewalks & crosswalks 50+ 1 Yes P09 1 1 1 Wider streets 54 1 Yes 11010 1 1 1 no response) Yes P011 1 1 Bike & walk path to the Riverside Park 52 1 Yes P012 We need to do more to draw travelers/tourists off the highway and 33 1 into town--a low cost entertainment venue for kids near the new Super 8 would help. The underpass needs to be refaced with brick Yes or some other material. The interstate off and on ramps could be spruced up. Perhaps the refinery could be persuaded to do some 1 1 per aps landscaping along the roadway. P013 1 1 1 no response) 71 1 Yes P014 1 1 1 None 60 1 P015 Fumes from the refinery limit what can be done. The outlined plan 38 1 Yes 1 1 1 is a ood step in the right direction. 11016 1 1 1 (no response) 57 1 Yes TCSP SURVEY -SPRING 2000 POST OFFICE SITE I I N QUESTION QUESTION AGE ID QUESTION # 4 * REMARKS #A #_2 U denotes none given + + + COMM is Actual <25 26.45 > r P017 1 1 1 Need stop light between CENEX station & CONOCO station 58 1 Yes P018 1 1 1 no res onse Yes 13019 None. With the Cenex Refinery at its location its hard to change the appearance of Laurel in this area. People taking exit ramps to Laurel, first impression is that of an industrial setting, no matter the Yes 1 1 1 changes. P020 1 1 1 Trees and bushes would be nice. Sidewalk both sides. 49 1 Yes P021 Love the sign idea & trees! Make underpass area safer feeling. 1 44 1 am always a little afraid to walk by the RR tracks--in that area. More lights-- any kind of fencing? I'm not very visionary, so don't know ' Yes what would help. I d also be concerned about traffic in that section-cars seem to whip in & out of the business w/o regard for 1 1 1 pedestrians or bikers. P022 1 1 1 None--all this is going to do is add more work, water & vandelism. 63 1 Yes P023 The changes to S First Ave: It would be nice to have sidewalks for 60+ 1 pedestrians on both sides, all the way, wo they can walk and ride Yes & (for the bikes) with A sense of feeling safe! We need some kind of letter 1 1 1 light, but know that is probably Impossible. P024 Signs no higher then about 10 feet high ( I don't know the present 63 1 heights). Keep trash picked up every day & streets swept would Yes 1 1 1 make a heck of a difference now. P025 I like the design by Fischer & Associates I would support this 43 1 1 1 1 design. Yes P026 2 2 ma be I real) like t e idea of landscaping & sidewalks! Also like the sign. 37 & 31 2 Yes P027 1 1 1 more trees or other landscaping 45 1 Yes P028 1 1 1 Sidewalks, landscaping, bike the 38 1 Yes TOTALS-- POST OFFICE SITE # POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG. <25 26-45 - M 28 24 5 18 12 8 18 0 9 11 3 ReMarks; TCSP survey Spring 2000 Post Office Site ID # Age Verbatim remarks other comments PO1 * 1. resurface some streets besides those in front of poliee/fire station 2. Same as # 1 3. This intersection is not the only part of Laurel P02 81 1. First and foremost before any other project there must be a LEFT TURN lane created at the under pass. 2. Idea is great. Wilt it ever happen? 3. Doubtful unless other stores are located in that area. P03 * 1. Build North by Cem. 2. No 3. Check w/ Fargo, N.D. They changed back to original streets! P04 50 1. fewer trains between 6.8AM & 4.6 PM 2. yes 3. No. Shopping is not good P05 48 L Instead of spending all the money on one or two streets, I would like to see all of the streets in town better maintained. Spend the money where it will benefit the greatest number of residents. 2. Yes 3. Not really P06 1. Put Lit rary on Lot by Post Office, close to Middle School & High School 2. Yes 3. Probably P07 45 1. The South side of town-The entrance to Laurel needs to inyite people off the interstate & make entrances to TownPupip & Burger king, etc easier to get in & out of. This area needs sidewalks, trees, complete parking & drainage & more uniform signs- 2. Of course--bicycles are not given any consideration on the busier streets--Our children have learned horrible pedestrian habits due to the streets being slanted & awkward. 3. Yes- more activities & shopping will always draw more people- summer evenings, people are searching for something to do in Laurel. Music & dancing have always been a hit in Laurel- the city square can provide that "non-alcoholic" atmosphere. Other: P.S. Thanks for all the work you're doing you've done a super job! P08 50+ 1. Remove all sidewalk encumbrances-planters, signs, trees, retail merchandise. 2. Only if there are no local taxes or local matching funds that are derived from taxes. 3. No P09 54 1. Better "internal" street repair and maintenance, for example-- PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE between 2"1 & 6"' STREETS! 2. Yes, except for the "traffic circle"-more headache for drivers. 3. No. We already frequent the downtown merchants. Other: Garbage collection system is very good-- street cleaning could be improved. Polo * 1. Let Laurel be the way it is. 2. No, you would just raise prices to pay for it. 3. No, I would still go to Billings cause prices are cheaper. poll 52 Other: I think traffic flow at the underpass should be the #1 priority. Page 1 of 4 P012 33 1. Most downtown businesses and those up and down main street could use a face-lift. Improving the appearance of store fronts could be. accomplished fairly inexpensively provide some inceptive to business owners. The trees and flowers will be nice in the warm months, but how about lighting trees with low voltage " white" lights during the winter months. 2. Yes-any bicycle paths should run through all high traffic areas. 3. Perhaps--there still needs to be a way to attract a better variety of retail stores, eateries, etc. Other. Community civic groups, schools, churches an other volunteers could be used to plant and help maintain improvements. P013 71 1. I'm not qualified to do that however I appreciate the civic spirit being express by all of you 2. Yes 3. I'm somewhat handicapped but I sure others would walk more and appreciate the upgrading of Laurel. 4. Other. Thanks for your efforts P014 60 L Leave as is but improve streets and aleys and keep cost of services down-DO NOT ADD TO 2. No all this does is help the business people do not see where it helps working people where does the money come from to maintain the changes 3. No with the changes looks like parking would be reduced has always been the complate of the COC looks like it would be reduced. P015 38 1. More greenery, as shown in the suggested plans. 2. See comment below 3. Yes Other; Commept: Both the proposed location of the locomotive and the so-called bulb oats are serious mistakes. Bulb-outs and similar traffic "calming" devices proved a failure in Austin, Texas, Where I lived from 1981 to 1999. They had to be removed because of the great increase in traffic accidents resulting from drivers trying to veer around them. Austin also tried a locomotive downtown as a tourist attraction: it attracted the homeless and become unbearable from human and other refuse. A group of railroad enthusiasts bought some Pullman cars and used some Southern Rwy track to operate a steam train very successfully between Austin and Burnett (20 miles), with that locomotive. If Laurel has a locomotive op display (as perhaps it should), I suggest the area immediately adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce, where traffic would not be affected. I would be a horrendous block to vehicular traffic where now proposed (how do you manage/ negotiate theee/four crosswalks within feet of each other?!), since there is not the space at that location for a roundabout. Thanks for the opportunity to provide feedback. P016 57 1. Neighborhoods cording together to create community withip the larger community. 2. Yes! 3. No. P017 58 1. A left turn light at 1` & (Hain 2. Not Down town Nothing to do with, my going downtown 3. No It would jam up the traffic flow. I would go downtown less often. Other; If you want to run off business build downtown like the Architect drew up! Where is the traffic control in this plan? PO 18 1. I think the Locomotive in the middle of the intersection will be a hazard for cars & pedestrians P019 * 1 Install a no left turn sign on main street by the underpass. Make first Avenue North to 1" Street a one way North and first street from Montana Ave. to 2°d Ave North a oneway street to the west. This great (C ) improves parking spaces on first Ave. North for the business if diagonal parking is allowed. 2 No. Presently the roads are not wide enough to support the traffic flow. Presently the underpass funnel the traffic and installing bike paths would increase traffic flow problems in this area. 3 Maybe one time. With Billings being so close, Laurel does not have a prayer of developing their business district. Downtown needs something other than beautification to attract people to the downtown business. Other; Help business owner's improve the appearance of the storefronts. Who's going to pay for these changes, the taxpayers? The elderly are having problems paying your water rates presently, which if lower would allow the people of Laurel to water their lawns more giving a nice green appearance to the community Page 2 of 4 P020 49 1. Lighting Districts in Residential Areas. P021 44 1. I think your changes are wonderful!! I am a little concerned about the traffic & the train but am trusting your judgmept! Love the trees & benches. 2. Yes-absolutely as I walk a lot. 3. I believe so, especially the benches & the use of space for st}ch things as farmer's markets. GOOD JOB!! Other: Is this the time to say how to say how much I wish we could have some new or drastically improved tennis courts?O When we traveled w/ kids - (little ones) we stopped at towns w/ parks. Laurel's parks aren't very attractive - & a visitor wouldn't know if we even had any- so a few signs pointing the way would be helpful. Develop the South side park - for people in hotels & restaurants on that side of town. Our wading pool couldn't be nwch uglier0 How about a change in our pools in the future. That's a draw for families w/ young children. P022 63 1. More clean up & neatness 2, no 3. no probably less Otheri It will take a lot of money - City hall needs a new bldg. & theres a lot one can do without putting those concrete planters in, a hazard. Waco, Texas did this & 5 years later took all of it out. also a hazard on Main to back out into traffic. remember we already have water problems-plants & trees need water. P023 60+ 1. We need a swimming pool-- preferrably indoor to accommodate the kids alone, let alone the adults. We like living in laurel. 2. We are not interested in "more attractive" streets. We are interested in having a safe place to walk and Tide. Sure, let's get some bike traits, and ped trails, where we can feel safe without running into dogs that are LESS THAN SAFE! 3. The scenes are nice, but we need to concern ourselves with more for the kids to do, fixing potholes for safer riding of bikes, etc. The businesses have flowers around their stores and the ones th4t don't must not want thetas! They are all trying to make a living like the rest of us! Other. (letter paraphrased by typist} Nice to live here. Shop for what we can here but Billings is close so we go there a lot. Prices are higher in Laurel and so we shop in Billings, Water rates have gone beyond belief so haw will people keep their yards green and More Attractive? Let's start by cloiit,g things that should have been done YEARS ago and build from there. 1) Movie theater 2) swimming pool. A movie theater is such an asset. P024 63 1. Get a few more stores (clothing for instance) & fix up the existing storefronts, such as Meadowlark Gallery & Herman Law Office have done. How about some murals on the underpass & the feed stores & elevators. 2. If it's not directed & suggested by out - of state big city types that no absolutely nothing about Montana or living in the West -- or smaller towns . Get rid of the traffic circle - the ones I've been around back East {aTel terrible & distracting & dangerous. I Probably Other: I hope my tax dollars are not going to pay for D. Ricci's flying around the country or any out of state type to come in here. We have. enough talented people to do our own thinking & designing. I have seen nothing in the East, in the South-or farther West- that is so impressive that we have to bring it to Montana. P025 43 1. Repair streets & clean up streets, clean up abandoned buildings. 2. Not at this time. 3. No! Pretty streets don't make a town grow. It just looks good at the expense of the tax payer of Laurel. Bussiness are needed to pay half the burden of improvements on streets. Laurel offer very little in way of jobs or goods or services to keep Laurel people to shop 6& work here. The west end of Blgs. meets the needs of my family. Other: I do not shop in Laurel. The prices are too high and the stores never carry what I need or use. More store's are needed to support the downtown face lift. The under pass needs a paint job. Why can't the Art dept. at L.H.S. paint a Locomotive on the walls of the underpass? I would support that! Page 3 of 4 P026 37 & 1. I would like to see downtown "cleaned up". More shopper friendly 4 way stop on I" ave--something needs to be done! Clean up entry into town- 31 Like the trees & sign. 2. YES 3. Maybe-really depends on what was dome. Other. `Mould like more businesses--entertainment type--theater P027 45 1. My concern is damage fron} skateboarders. Are any plans being made to develop a skateboard park or facility? 2. YES 3. Definitely P028 38 L Landscaped streets, slower traffic, better sidewalks & crosswalks. Other: Currently, it is difficult to safely walk from North to South Laurel because of lack of side walks, curbing & traffic. There would be more pedestrian traffic if the proposed concept drawings were implemented. Page 4 of 4 TCSP SURVEY • SPRING 2000 JAN'S SITE QUESTION QUESTION QUESTION QUESTION # 4 AGE RANGE * REMARKS #1 l2 U denotes none given + - + - + - Comments Actual < > J1 1 1 1 A "greenbelt" to make the underpass more visually appealling. Uniform or conforming store Fronts that would look more like the downtown area. 43 1 Yes J2 1 1 1 Clean up the streets - pave along sides if need be! Just dress it up - trees, benches, etc... 34 1 Yes J3 1 1 1 Don't do anything. Whatever you do will cost big dollars and I simply can not afford due to the fact that I'm living on a fixed income. 70 1 Yes J4 No response * Yes J5 1. 1 1 I think the changes proposed are good and give a good first impression of our town. It would be a pleasing and inviting way for locals to enter our city also. 50 1 Yes J6 No response Yes J7 No response * Yes J8 1 1 1 Rebuild the underpass, Clean it up or paint it, Don't feel it needs Bike lanes - Trees or Greenery would be nice if it did not require narrowing of existing roadway. 70 Yes J9 1 1 1 No response 78 1 Yes J10 1 No response 68 1 Yes ill 1 1 1 No response Yes J12 No response * Yes J13 No response * Yes J14 1 1 1 More sidewalks curves and gutters to clean up the standing water holes and a safer lace to walk. 70 1 Yes J15 No response * Yes J16 1 1 1 No response Yes J17 1 1 Clean up the weeds and garbafe. Also make a left turn lane near Ace Hardware. 58 1 Yes J18 1 1 1 No response 79 1 Yes J19 1 1 1 Trees or grass. Its all cement and pavement 40 1 Yes TCSP SURVEY - SPRING 2000 JAN'S SITE QUESTION QUESTION QUESTION #4 AGE RANGE Ip REMARKS #2 * denotes none given + - + - + - Comments Actual 525 26-45 46-65 > J20 Until you demolish the train tracks the underpass will always be a Yes 1 1 is. J21 No response Yes J22 More directions to the city beyond the underpass regarding visitors Yes 1 1 center, etc. 69 1 J23 1 No response Yes J24 1 1 1 No response 84 1 Yes J25 1 1 1 1 like our suggestions 43 1 Yes J26 Everything in the drawings look good! It would be nice to see Yes 1 1 1 these changes 39 1 J27 Anything to make it more attractive. Easier to enter and exit from Yes 1 1 1 stores etc. in that area. 70 1 J28 No response * Yes J29 1 1 1 No response 29 1 Yes J30 Planting trees or shrubs that will look nice all year around would be a good start. Keeping trash picked up, maybe as a part of Community Service. Rapid Tire's lawn always looks nice, but the other side of the underpass is weeds or mud! Trees or shrubs or even a scattering of wild flower seeds would be an improvement. The cylo's between Hardies and the underpass could be made to look better with just a simple coat of paint. Better yet, turn those Yes eye sores into a town attraction. Have a mural painted on them depicting the history of the area or Montana. Don't like the serious? Then paint them like rockets or firecrackers. Maybe a train or someother whimsical idea that is a unique charactorist of Laurel. Other examples might run to the "City of Lights" theme or 1 1 1 he school colors etc. 33 1 TOTALS-- JAN'S SITE # POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG. < - > 30 18 3 13 6 5 14 0 7 2 9 Remarkq: TCSP survey ?pripg 200Q (gag's pith) ID # AGE Verbatium remarks/ other comments Jl 43 1. On / pff ramps at west end of Laurel. J2 I. Get rid of all the :014 buildings, put up some trees apd benches along maid streets and just "Dress up" the community! 2. Yes Definately! 3. Yes! Except, I am not for the locomotive traig sitting on Intersection by the Dollar store. I think this could be a Hazard aId u blind spot! 34 Other: I do think Laurel life 4s More laces for the kids to o movie theatre, etc.) so the crime and troubled kids reduces! 33 1. Although I appreciate w}rat you would like to do for improvements, I beg you lease, do not attempt a vast improvement that c will post mega ollars. I live on a fixed income artd all costs pre going up with no increase in my pension or Soc Sec. Great improvements will likely increase taxes and (hose of us on fried income simply can't afford tax increases for the sake of beauty. We have e}ioµgll things to pay for. 3. We do a great deal of shopping downtown (especially groceries) to support the local merchants. I doubt that improvements would make much difference. Other: In this folder, a mention of a garbage increase, in which we have no input is indicated. Water and sewer rates have increased and I see no end to these. I can not, thcfefore, pay for increased taxes for beautification. Prescription drugs for my wife 70 and I keep going u but there is no increase in retirement of Soc. Sec. J4 Other: Cleap ditch and repair on 81h Ave. ano 7th Street. repair pot holes correctly in streets. repave 8th Ave. w/ slow signs on Ave. Clean waste ar d weeds. J5 1. 1 like ypur proposals to enhance the vapant lots esspecially. 3. I don't go downtown ausl to be there. I gq fora purpose (to shop, buy groceries, or for an appointment) so unless I had a purpose 50 to be there, I probably. wouldn't go. J6 Other: The town could sure uses ruc'n u as i ict rodl Go for 41' J7 * her: Yes! ! We like it 100% Looks Great! ! J8 1. Stop lights at lst street and 1st ayenue, Rail crossing really needs serious repairs ( The one by the old liquer store) unsafe, school bus hazatd, Cannot get a cleIr view of the tracks to the west, if bus .is heading north - numerous school buses cross there daily, 2. I would perinotp more attractive streets, but don't feel that bicyle traffic is sufficent to spend any dollars on- stop Thomae Lbr from using streets as a loading dock. 3. 1 doubt it, looks to me like you are buildigg in parkiijg problems, there are times'now when you can't' find a place to park near 70 where you want to shop. J9 1. The laws enforced. Abandoned vehicles removed.' Some have been parked fo 6 monthes. Also yards cleaned and trash removed. 78 Other: Skome sidewalks are in terrible condition also tholes in man streets. J10 68 2. Yes I would as I ride m bike under the underpass all of the time. J11 1. The physical layout is too expensive to change. The city should do sidewalks (curb and gutter on 1st Ave. from railroad (Taco John's) to Exxon. 2. I would like to see the streets in Laurel upgraded. A lot of us had streets when we moved in but now are mowing to keep weeds of of our street! Take care of what we have or need first-----Then worry about safety upgrades. 3. Not Really. Who will be taking care of this? You'll need another MTCE. person. J12 Other: How come the people of this area ignore Cenex ---- They have the biggest Highest sign ----They have a Plant at Laurel --- They are the largest tax payer in this area of Laurel --- 40% schools , the largest .payer to the city for water --- in all the years I've been assosiated with Cenex, I have never seen a Thank you from the community --- and now Fischer you blew it on your South entry to Laurel drawing --- J13 Other: The annual flowers, bushes and trees are very colorful and beautiful. Have to given any thought to fall --- clean up and '? winter bareness? Mare evergreen perhap You doing a terrific job keep up the good work. Remarks: TCSP spryey Spring 2QOQ (Jan's site) J14 1. A traffic signal at 1st Ave and 1st street. People do not know what 4-way stop meads at that corner. 2. Yes if it didn't increase taxes for the Seniprs in to)vn as we are on fixed incomes. 70 3. I already shop downtown. Dpn; ow apopt J15 Other: A4though it looks Bice, it is not practical for the sometimes high traffic area as 1st ave and 1st st. If anything there needs to be a bet er flow With more visi ill . J16 1. Not sure diaganal parking is good. There seem to be plenty of parldgg spaces now. Diagonal parking is harder -- could capse more accidents. Would need to widen streets --mpre cgst 2. Not if it cost me more money. People have gone to a lot of work to plan this lovely concept but it arrives with a notice that my garbage rates are gpigg up. The sever rates are cgnsfantly rising,. Fixed income pepple can't affoid these. * 3. Probably not. Like r ost o le, we shop were we can et the best prices. J17 1. More stores and clear} up along the railroad and Fox Lgmber. Laurel downtown is a very dirty place. 3. Laurels biggest problem is you can't buy anything in Laurel Christmas shopping is out because all you have to buy from is 2 hardware stores who don't have it but can get it next thursday, and a Ben Franklin. No clothing stores or dry goods stores, so no matter how pretty you make Laurel, you have to have a reason to shop in Laurel. 58 Other: I sure like shopping in Laurel when I can, But its pretty hard to do, when you can't find it. Heora for "Jars". J18 79 1. an overpass or another unde ass. J19 1. Pick up trash! More greenery; Yopr drgwipgs are nice tliou$h. 2. I'd rather gave streets repaired (potholgs etc.). The laasips pe$d to be done before you can beautify, like trails for kids would be nice. 3. No. Billings shopping is cheaper gnd more, variety. Not many stores here. 40 Other: But maybe more b siiaesses would c p= ' Laurel looked better. Maybe sho 1 et survey from usinesses. J20 L A good start would be tq have a street pleangr that actuIlly cleaged the streets. I caq see the beautiful new strets all cowered in litter and gravel, because they wgn't be maintaipe4, like out streets noW. Take a walk tinder the erlderpass •- if you dare. 2. Depends on whose payii}g for it an4 who will l e ip charge of maintenance. Laurel tpororists don't stop for peds --or bikers anyway. ; Ilve been both for 12 years aitd feel lucky to be alive. ; 3. No. Laurel businesses ac over priced, poorly stocked, with poor'customer seNice. Laurel is a bedroom community. We need groceries and gas and a few good restaurants. The rest we can get in Billings. Demplish the dowgtown -- it's an eygsgre! Other: T}?g junk sho and vacar t rain elevator will to k wqil" fide side wi b Iliese plops I , J21 * - Other: The underpass and 1st Ave North is a state Highway. You cant obstruct traffic. You are Dreaming anyway! J22 1. Diagnal parking with wide streets and landscaping (Trees and flowers.) 3. It would also need to have a business I needed to visit. (More variety.) 69 Other: Need to improve unused buildings like "The Trading Post." Remarks: TCSP survey Spring 2000 (Jan's site) J23 1. I would like to be a part of --to build a "giant Ferries Wheel also the biggest merry-go-round. A huge roller coaster also an 1880's old fashion train depoet and one or two Railroad steam engine complete with 6 old passenger cars maybe two sleeper cars one cook car and one dinning car. There has been fo sale about 20 acres land east of Fox Lumber that we as citizens of laurel and big industrys -- oil companys and two railroads in our area could turn this area into a "Very famous recreational center of North America!" Montana is known for all of it's "dinosaurs" --fosoils of long ago. The theme would be along these lines for "The Roller Coaster and the Giant Merry-go-round." Not to ride horses --but rather all the various prehistoric animals that once roamed this area! The ferris wheel to be built like the original one by George Ferris -- Galsberg Illinois --to be built as large or larger than the one he built for the worlds fair at the beging of our last century. If we went "all out" to this most "Grande" Ideal the tourist would ride the two steam trains from "Wisconsen to Seattle" from early spring till late fall. Every kid in the U.S. and Canada plus foreigners would go nuts to stay and sample this "Grande" recreational area to beat all others!!! We can add two beascn lites used during the 2nd world war at night to signal from affar so anew people bringing over our area can look down from passenger planes. Also Amtrack could resume east and west once again to hord all the people to see our place! We would give this place a new name "The Beacon!" Boy would we bring in the bacaon $ $ $ for all this spectacular ride n'stuff. As a community our taxes could be lowered with all the "revenur -rides." We in this area would be own a peice of this "Grande Episode!" P.S. We could * eventuall Chan a the name of Laurel to a brand new name "Beacon -City Montana." J24 84 1. Take care of all sidewalks in 4 blocksquare around 1st ave and 1st St; J25 43 1. A left hand turn lane for the north/south traffic the "underpass" intersection. J26 39 1. Nicer and cleaner looking streets. J27 1. a city new swimming pool, and a park with better playground equipment. Keep the underpass clean-. 70 3. We shop Laurel regularly and if more attractive, perhaps our out-of-town guests would also shop there. J28 Other; Please, Let's spend our money repairing o r streets! J29 1. Put a movie theatre in. 2. Spend the money on a Community Center 29 3. No more, no less J30 1. There needs to be a stop light rather than a 4-way stop at 1st Avenue and 1st Street. I don't think it is a large enough area for the "circle." I also think the odd way those streets come together make the traffic circle unwise there. I do think the traffic circle might woek on lst and Main though. The open spaces you've designed with greenery is nice, but you might want to add some picnic tables or maybe even a Gazeebo. 2. Yes I would, but I think there needs to be more than just windo dressing. We need to either incourage specialty shops that may draw people in from other towns, or stores that provide the basics at a comparitive price to what is easily accessable in Billings. Bike routes are great! We need them going on main roads to town, schools, Parks, pools and library. 3. While the visual appearence clean up the town and makes it more appealling, giving more pride in our town, without the substance mentioned in Q 2, I don't think we'd visit more or less. Maybe for picnic outings if the Green Space and Civic Space provides those possibilities. Other: A day train that runs between Laurel and Billings or maybe to Red Lodge might provide a way for people to get to these 33 locations, but also to bring oo le in from other areas.