Dixon gives pedestrians the green light to walk

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DIXON - Store manager Rose Langholf watches passersby every day through the tinted windows of Main Street Pharmacy, 120 W. First St. People often walk to either end of the block to get to the other side, a process that could be made easier with a pedestrian crossing in the middle of the street.

She's not the only one who thinks so.

The Dixon City Council is considering installing three pedestrian crosswalk signs downtown, to make the area more foot-traffic friendly.

The matter was tabled until the Nov. 5 meeting, to see if the city's insurance will cover such crossings, Commissioner Roy Bridgeman said.

The idea came from former Main Street Director Philip LeFevre, who brought up the topic at the council's last meeting.

"If you go to where ShopKo is, there's stop signs every few feet for pedestrians. Downtown Dixon should have the same pedestrian-friendly environment as these shopping centers do," LeFevre said.

The city is considering 3-foot-tall, neon green signs made by Dixon company John Thomas Inc. They cost $300 each, are removable and bounce back if hit by a car.

LeFevre thinks signs should be placed near Care Bear Treats, Dixon Main Street Pharmacy and Commerce Towers. He requested that the signs be installed at the center line and that the city paint crossing stripes on the streets as well.

Although First Street traffic is slow, "it's a habit that needs to be broken that pedestrians are not given the right of way," he said.

Dorothy Lara, who lives at the Nachusa House and works at KSB Hospital, says she thinks the pedestrian signs are a good idea, but thinks they are needed more at Second Avenue and Galena.

Elderly people and those with children particularly would benefit from such signs, Libby Hoffman said. "It's worth a try."

Reach Malinda Osborne at (815) 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 526.