Strolling through Glendale’s beloved Kenneth Village is like taking a step back in time to when most towns were small towns. The family-owned shops emit a certain charm that is magnetic to businesses, residents, and visitors. It’s no wonder this hidden treasure has attracted local favorites like Yoga-urt, XIV Salon, Commissary, Ultimate Tae Kwon Do and others. More businesses brings more people and pedestrians, which makes the safety of residents and visitors an even greater priority.
Kenneth Village currently has two crosswalks, one on each end of the street (Kenneth Rd. / Sonora Ave & Kenneth Rd. / Grandview Ave). While the increase in visitors is good for businesses, the lack of accessible crossing poses a hazard for pedestrians. One resident told The Guardian, the local homeowners association’s publication, that over the past year she’s observed “…an increase in pedestrians crossing the street in the middle of the Village, near Team Rock and across to Ultimate Tae Kwon Do and the Commissary. I see this as a disaster waiting to happen.” There have been incidents of pedestrians dashing across the street or crossing with their children at blind spots to shorten their commute, which creates unsafe situations for all parties.
There is, however, a solution to this unsafe pedestrian environment. The City of Glendale has been petitioned to include a crosswalk in the middle of the Village.
The City’s Public Works Department conducted research and came up with the most ideal installation for this project. To create this proposed crosswalk, 6 parking spots total (3 on each side of the street) may be eliminated. It will have a flashing beacon system installed to warn motorists of the uncontrolled crossing, as well as the colored pavement in the crosswalk area. Finally, as a result of the alignment, one small tree will be relocated to a new nearby location.
There will be a community meeting on this proposed Kenneth Village crosswalk on Thursday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Balboa Elementary School Auditorium. The City of Glendale encourages all interested parties to attend. For more information, contact the Public Works Department by phone at (818) 548-3945, by e-mail at PWProjects@Glendaleca.gov, or visit GlendalePWprojects.com.
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