Mayor Jim Paine of Superior announced that he and the City of Superior have been selected to participate in the 2025 Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety (MIPS).
The institute, in its third year of operation, selected twelve mayors from across the United States through a competitive application process. MIPS is an opportunity for the twelve mayors to learn from each other and national experts on how to improve pedestrian walkways across their cities.
“Not just using those tried-and-true methods that I think we all know about that help keep people safe as they cross the street but trying to come up with new and innovative ideas to solve those unique challenges that we have in 21st century transportation,” said Mayor Paine.
Superior has seen an increase in pedestrian traffic in recent years, and with most people utilizing walkways, keeping them accessible has become a priority.
“We have changing streetscapes and growing neighborhoods, different population sectors. So, as we build more density and more high rises in Superior, that’s a lot more folks accessing and crossing streets like Belknap or Tower or even the highway than ever before. So, we need to make sure that we are including everybody as our community develops,” said Mayor Paine.
Mayor Paine added that his goal for MIPS is not only the safety of pedestrians in Superior, but helping pedestrians enjoy utilizing walkways.
“We want folks to want to walk through their neighborhoods and through their community year-round. Superior is a really beautiful place, and I think it’s best experienced on foot from the ground,” said Paine.
The innovations also aim to improve the economic development of Superior.
“It’s really important to take care of our people. The cars move so fast on the Tower Avenue, which is great because we have a lot of great businesses around here that they’re out and about seeing. But in order for them to safely see those businesses, crosswalks, sidewalks, safety, all of them is really important,” said Raya Horst, co-owner of Posh Boutique and Serenity Spa and Salon.
“If folks have any doubt about their safety, they probably won’t cross that street, and a business may lose an opportunity at that customer and that citizen might lose the opportunity to go to a really cool place. So, when we make it just a little easier to get across the street, when people feel safe, they will enjoy moving back and forth across the street,” said Paine.
To learn more about the Mayors Institute of Pedestrian Safety, click here.
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