Skagway will get a bit greener in the future.
The Skagway Borough Assembly narrowly approved a resolution in February 8 meeting to revamp the Main Street Rehabilitation plan to include “green space.” Mayor Orion Hanson broke a 3-3 deadlock with a “yes” vote, approving a change in the original concept to allow for a narrower shared pathway and a 2-foot strip of green space between the pathway and the curb.
Hanson’s vote ended a lengthy discussion of pros and cons in regard to the proposed Main Street Rehabilitation project, which has yet to be approved for funding.
Proponents of including the green strip spaces pointed out the inclusion of the space would help with filtering pollutants in run-off from entering the environment, as well as offer a place for the staging of excess snow, and the possibility of creating a safer driving area for motorists and pedestrians. They also said reducing 2-foot wide strip of concrete from a 2-mile stretch could save the town money.
Assemblyman Jay Burnham estimated concrete for a shared pathway would run approximately $500 per yard.
Assembly members noted that the original concept called for a 10-foot wide shared pathway. Reducing it to 8 feet would still make it ADA compliant.
Charity Pomeroy, while admitting she wanted “more green places,” voted against the amendment due to safety concerns for elderly residents. The transition from the paved roadway to an uneven green strip could make for dangerous conditions for those with mobility issues.
“I feel a little weird about being opposed to green space because Charity Pomeroy wants green spaces, but I had some residents express concerns.”
She also contended the pollutant issue is one that might be more viable in a larger community.
“I know in a larger city, it is a little more important, but we are in a community that is probably in the lower end of what is running off.”
Vice Mayor Deb Potter also said she supported the idea of green space but the practicality of the idea wasn’t viable. The space, she said, would become a maintenance nightmare in the long run as it would collect gravel and other debris which would make mowing for property owners/city crews dangerous and difficult.
“I’ve spent the last week walking and looking at our sidewalks and what some of the green spaces we have look like,” she said. “We have to be mindful of the fact that the maintenance of that green space would be the onus of the property owners.”
She agreed with Pomeroy the uneven transition from the roadway to the green strip could be a safety concern for elders.
In the end, Hanson broke the tie, clearing the way for the town leaders to move forward in developing a rehabilitation plan.
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