For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Jamie Moody
(619) 594-0588
Kathleen Ferrier
(619) 686-5959 x17

On Wednesday evening, December 11, WalkSanDiego, the region’s pedestrian safety watchdogs, presented San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins with its first annual "Golden Footprints" Award. Ms. Atkins joined 75 of the group’s members and other walking enthusiasts at a fundraising reception held at the North Park Art Produce gallery on University Avenue.

In presenting the award, WalkSanDiego Board Chair Jamie Moody stated, "Councilmember Atkins was one of the earliest and most passionate advocates for a safe and welcoming pedestrian environment in San Diego. WalkSanDiego is proud to recognize her many contributions." Ms. Moody recited several of Ms. Atkins’s recent accomplishments:

• Led a major overhaul of the city’s Street Design Manual to provide more safety and comfort for pedestrians. The new standards include narrower traffic lanes, a six-foot landscape buffer between the curb and sidewalk, and "traffic calming" to reduce speeding on residential streets.

• Jump-started sidewalk and street improvements with an innovative $3.2 million bond backed by future federal grants. $400,000 of these funds will provide pedestrian improvements on University Avenue.

• Worked diligently to advance pedestrian-friendly redevelopment projects, including restoration of the North Park Theater, now under way after 20 years.

• Convinced her council colleagues to convert low pressure sodium street lights to high pressure lights in order to improve neighborhood security, pedestrian safety and ambiance.

• Championed the pedestrian focus and infrastructure funding aspects of the "City of Villages" growth plan adopted this year by the City Council.

• Helped secure $970,000 in California Safe Routes to Schools grants for sidewalk and safety improvements at two elementary schools

• Partnered with Mayor Dick Murphy to secure funding for 330 trees throughout the district. Trees are a key element of an inviting pedestrian environment.

• Obtained $226,000 to document crumbling sidewalks, curbs and gutters and prioritize repairs.

• Fought for infrastructure financing: In the last fiscal year, 4.23 miles of roads were resurfaced, sidewalks were repaired in 158 locations, and 607 disabled ramps were installed.

• Led the successful City Council effort to push up the timetable for undergrounding SDG&E and other utilities on every street in the City of San Diego. As a result, the 100-year timeline has been reduced to 25 years.

• Worked with merchant associations to restore historic, pedestrian-oriented storefronts.

Ms. Moody added, "If you doubt Councilmember Atkins’ commitment to alternative transportation, consider this: she even secured funding for mini street sweepers to sweep bike lanes!"

Preceding the award presentation, WalkSanDiego described its many efforts to revamp street standards, build safer crosswalks, and slow speeding vehicles in neighborhoods throughout the region. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support these efforts, including a North Park project to identify pedestrian danger "hot spots" and propose solutions.