Laramie's city council hosted the first of four listening sessions regarding the possible closure of 15th street to vehicles during their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd. Residents from all over Laramie came to the meeting and made their voices heard.

Associated Students of the University of Wyoming (ASUW) President Ben Wetzel also attended the meeting, saying that "the considerations of the students are two-fold...the potential of our campus to be brought together, that's one aspect to keep in mind." Wetzel also voiced concern for the safety of the student pedestrians that use the intersections between Ivinson and Willett Drive while walking to class.

The overwhelming sentiment from Laramie residents was that shutting down 15th Street to motor vehicles would eliminate one of Laramie's busiest streets and send the overflow to 9th Street and 22nd Street, possibly creating more traffic flow problems on those two streets.

Resident Peggy McCracken expressed that for residents of the north part of town that "15th Street is our access way. This will just cause the problem to go to 9th Street and 22nd Street." McCracken added that "enhanced crosswalks might be a good way to go."

Several residents also expressed that the November 1st deadline for the University's report to the Joint Appropriations committee did not leave enough time to properly assess traffic patterns in the area, recommending that traffic studies be conducted instead to investigate other options, such as a crosswalk or a stoplight at the Fraternity Row intersection.

There will be two additional listening sessions this week, and they will take place in the following locations:

Thursday, October 5 at 12:30 p.m. in the UW Union Senate Chambers

Saturday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. in the Laramie Recreation Center conference room.

For residents unable to attend any of the listening sessions, the City of Laramie is also accepting comments and concerns via email at 15thstreet@cityoflaramie.org. More information about the 15th Street debate, including suggested solutions can be found here.

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