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May 20, 2004
To: Campus Community
From: Martin M. Chemers, Acting Chancellor
Re: The Mission-to-Bay Good Neighbor Initiative
Dear Colleagues:
I am writing to invite you to join me in a tangible and very practical demonstration of our commitment to foster harmonious relationships with our neighbors.
Specifically, I urge all campus members to join me in inaugurating the Good Neighbor Initiative, a plan to use Mission Street and Bay Avenue as the primary access routes to the campus.
Everyone agrees that traffic is a major problem in our nearby neighborhood. UC Santa Cruz has an outstanding record for alternative transportation. Still, the reality is that hundreds of cars travel at peak periods on High St. and on nearby side streets, contributing to traffic gridlock and a negative experience for ourselves and our neighbors.
So, instead of simply accepting that this is "just the way it is," let's seize a chance to make a difference by changing some of our own habits.
If we travel along the major roads that are built to accommodate a high volume of traffic, our neighbors will not only enjoy less traffic near their homes, but they will see evidence that UCSC's faculty, staff, and students prove our good intentions with positive action.
Moreover, because Mission Street has recently been widened and improved with new turn lanes, you are likely to find that the journey along Mission Street takes no more time than traveling along the side streets. In fact, I have already discovered that my drive along Mission takes less time at peak travel periods in the morning and late afternoon.
Finally, for those of you who can consider leaving your cars at home, let me remind you of the alternative travel programs established through our Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) department. You will save money and help alleviate the traffic and parking problems by joining a vanpool or a carpool, taking the bus, ridesharing, or bicycling. More than half of campus members already use alternative transportation, and they can attest to the benefits. Visit the TAPS website for more details on these programs (http://www2.ucsc.edu/taps/)
As this new program takes shape, I will be announcing more details. In the interim, please be a good neighbor -- join me in using Mission St. and Bay Ave. as the preferred and normal routes to campus.
Maintained by:pioweb@ucsc.edu