I am writing to express disapproval of the Merrimon Ave widening as proposed.

In short, I agree that Merrimon Ave should be widened both in the stretch that’s contemplated and throughout the much more of the corridor.

However, it should be widened to be rationalized to coincide with the hard work the City of Asheville is attempting to complete pursuant to making itself a more livable city. Such rationalized improvements should include: (1) street parking throughout the entire corridor, (2) having sidewalks on both sides of the street, and (3) bike lanes – ideally buffered – wherever possible…in addition to 3 or 4 lanes of auto traffic.

The City of Asheville is working hard to improve itself, yet it cannot do so with our commercial corridors configured as the currently as, that is devoted almost entirely to moving automobiles laterally rapidly.

Thank you for your consideration.