UPDATE ON WATT & I 80 ISSUES
Birth Control for Birds
Netting and Spikes
Camera's 
Gates on Stairs 
Improvements are just about over for the clean up of the Watt and I80 light rail station.
Netting, Birth Control for the pigeons, Cameras, and other improvements, except for gates, have been completed..
The station appears to be cleaner...if some has a problem with the cleaniness of the station please contact us with specifics.

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Health and Safety Issue Paper on Watt and I-80 Light Rail Station

                BACKGROUND

The North area segment of the Blue Line is the oldest. The Watt and I-80 station is at the north end of the Blue Line Light Rail System. The station is a major regional transfer point, hosting fourteen bus routes.   

ISSUE

Health and physical safety issues are present at the station because pigeon droppings cover the stairs, handrails, and upper recesses of the station. (See attachment 1, pictures) Health and safety issues are especially relevant during the rainy season when the rain makes the stairs and hand railings slippery, and the pigeon droppings become liquid and drop on people. See attachment 2, letter from Lincoln Training Center). The other health issue is the elevator constantly smells of urine.

DISCUSSION

A long-standing issue discussed with RT staff on numerous occasions is the cleanliness of the elevator. While there is a clean porta-potty at the station for the use of riders, the elevator continues to be used as a toilet. (See attachment 3, email)  As recent as 12/30/08, the urine smell in the elevator was so strong people had to cover their face in order to breathe. We know RT cleans the station at least three times a week and even more during the day when messy elevator situations brought to their attention yet the elevator situation continues to be a problem, to the point that members of RiderShip want us to call the health department.

The Pigeon problem is major issue.  The pigeons nest and roost in the concrete rafters and while staff cleans the ground, it is apparent that the rafters are not cleaned.  In talking with various riders on Jan 2 & 3^rd 2009, they report the pigeon problem is disturbing and feel it is a health hazard.

Also, by observation on Jan 2 when it was raining, none of the twenty passengers going up and down the stairs used the hand rails because the rails were wet and had pigeon droppings on them.  (See attachment 4, diseases)

POSITION

Increase steam and power washing at Watt and I-80 Light Rail Station including elevator. Pressure wash and steam the upper concrete beams of the station to remove pigeon droppings. (Again, See attachment 1 photos) Provide solutions to keep Pigeons from nesting and roosting. Pressure steam and power wash the elevator. Lock-down elevator, and gate both entrances to the stairs after all buses and light rails stop running. 

RECOMMENDATIONS (In a timely manner)

1. Install Bird Spikes, Bird Netting or other means to deter and repel Pigeons from roosting, nesting, and leaving droppings all over the station. (See attachment 5 product descriptions)

2. Completely power wash and steam clean the whole station to remove all overhead pigeon droppings. 
3. Lock down the elevator after all trains and buses stop running.
4. Install gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs.


                             BELOW ARE BEFORE (2009) AND AFTER (2010) PICTURES OF THE WATT AND I-80 STATION