Despite the lack of traffic, most upperclassmen can't seem to get used to the idea, as a lot of them are still sticking to the sidewalks. Eventually, they will get used to it, especially when the new pedestrian mall is finished. The trustees are beginning to search for an architect, anxious to begin the project as soon as possible.
The main reason for WPI wanting to close the street was that it was a major pedestrian safety issue, with an estimated 8000 crossings per day. In addition, with a unified campus, WPI can better market the school and attract more students. WPI had tried two times unsuccessfully in the past to close the road; the first was in 1972, and permission to close the road temporarily was given. A second attempt was made in December of 1986, but the proposal was withdrawn due to opposition from the community.
The third and final attempt was launched last spring. Volunteers from several student organizations, including Student Government Association, Student Alumni Society, and Skull, along with members of sororities and fraternities gathered signatures for petitions which supported the proposal.
Several meetings over the summer helped to secure the closing of the street. The first was a meeting of the Traffic Committee on July 10. Many members of the community spoke in support of the proposal. The first to speak was Chief John Hanlon, Director of Public Safety at WPI, who expressed his concerns that this portion of West Street was a significant pedestrian safety problem.
Hanlon was followed by David Hersel of Sasaki Associates (an engineering firm which conducted traffic studies of the area last fall), Cathleen Connelly, Student Government Association President, and Bernie Brown, Vice President for Student Affairs. Prof. Steve Weininger called West Street "a gash to our campus" and expressed his hopes that "this can be healed." John Nelson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, spoke last in support of the proposal, stating that the closing of the street was important to the future of WPI.
While several of WPI's neighbors spoke in support of the closure, a few neighbors did not feel that closing the street was necessary. Among their individual rationales was the fact that the street was here before WPI, and should remain open to those who use it.
At this meeting, it was proposed that the street be closed on a six-month trial basis. This recommendation was given to the Ordinance Committee, which met on July 11th. At this meeting, more neighbors spoke in opposition, mostly for the reason of parking spaces being lost. The Ordinance Committee recommended the temporary closing to the City Council, but the recommendation was rejected. Instead, the Council voted 9-2 to close the street permanently, and scheduled a final vote for their August 1 meeting. At that meeting, the Council again passed the closure, and again by a vote of 9-2.
Stipulations of the closure include the request that WPI pay for improvements to the timing of the lights at the intersection of Park Avenue and Salisbury Street. Also, approximately 25 more parking spaces will be built into the lot on the corner of Institute and Schussler Roads. Finally, WPI surrendered its right to build in its remaining tract of Institute Park, given to the college in 1887 by Stephen Salisbury for the construction of an academic building, should it be needed.
Currently, the section of West Street between the Quad lot entrance and the Fuller service road is blocked off by granite pillars and chain, temporary barriers which will still allow the passage of emergency vehicles should it become necessary. Eventually, a more permanent barrier will be erected.
Give feedback: newspeak@wpi.wpi.edu