Latest in a series of posts about Lehigh University and the Southside
Peter Crownfield is officially retired but spends most of his time working with students in his role as internship coordinator for the Alliance for Sustainable Communities–Lehigh Valley.
Gadfly:
I agree with Dana that “community concerns” have a priority, and I frequently oppose LU plans.
That being said, I think we need to remember some things on the points Dana listed: (1) LU also needs good access for emergency vehicles; (2) this should have little to no impact on safety for Broughal students (in fact some might choose to take that route); parking on Packer was not metered until around 10 years ago; any perception of lack of concern by LU students is more likely the result of a general lack of activism and/or a general assumption that it is going to happen. (We should also remember that many students were vehemently opposed to closing University Drive but that has worked out very well IMO.)
I do think there should be a clear presentation of relevant data as Dana suggested!
Anyone who’s been at Packer & University Walk at busy times of days know that masses of students need to cross Packer, and I’ve seen vehicles backed up past Vine and almost all the way to Webster.
I think it should have been done years ago.
Peter
Gadfly would point out that the concern for Broughal students was walking on the now more highly traveled streets because of the closing of Packer, a concern expressed by the school principal.
