Bel Aire documentary on YouTube | Napa Valley Register

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Bel Aire documentary on YouTube

Saturday, July 11, 2009

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Local resident Seth Herbey has completed a documentary on traffic congestion at Bel Aire Plaza as part of an ongoing series of reports on Napa life.

The eight-minute video captures the variety of traffic snarls that can affect shoppers and motorists who use the north Napa center as a cut-through.

Herbey interviews a local woman who proposes a sky bridge to make it safer for pedestrians to cross between the center’s east and west ends.

Previously, Herbey profiled Napa and the changing character of downtown. Most recently, he put up a YouTube documentary on the poor condition of city streets.

45 comment(s)

shareathought wrote on Jul 9, 2009 9:11 PM:

" Watched this prior to the posting here; he has done a fine job (and yet, most times I am driving in the shopping center, the traffic is much, much more congested than his film shows!). "

NAPAdocumentor wrote on Jul 9, 2009 9:32 PM:

" Ironically, during filming, I was trying to capture the density of the heavy traffic there. But for some reason during that stretch of time, traffic was not as heavy as usual. It took a month of waiting to get the gridlock shots. I agree with shareathought. The traffic is normally even worse than portrayed in the film there.

The traffic is never there when you want it, but ALWAYS there when you don't want it!

---Seth Herbey "

if you can't beat 'em... wrote on Jul 9, 2009 10:11 PM:

" Love your videos!! "

napan1961 wrote on Jul 9, 2009 10:48 PM:

" Nice job Seth! As usual, you caught the true feel for a Napa issue. I always use the entrance next to Whole Foods and never have a problem finding a parking space for World Market, OSH, Copperfields, Target or Whole Foods... I must admit I avoid the main entrance and Trader Joes... "

NAPAdocumentor wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:06 PM:

" napan1961, I use that entrance as well and usually can find parking in the lesser used areas. Much less headache coming and going from that Northeast entrance. That alley behind Whole Foods/Trader Joe's works wonders too. The trick with Bel Aire Plaza I think is just to plan out when you go and what route you'll use to get in/out with less hassle. But still a highly problematic design.

If that parking lot was redesigned and shoppers (that currently avoid it) were no longer afraid to shop there, that would serve our local economy better. "

noblindershere wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:19 PM:

" "New York City Gridlock" come on Seth. I visit this shopping center atleast three times a week between the hours of 9-3pm and I have never come close to experiencing anything close to what you are explaining. Obviously the people complaining here have never lived in a big city. Get a life people...I can think of some better documentary topics locally...like, how our local school's are going to be hit hard by the state financial crisis. Traffic congestion at Bel Air...please "

hawkeye wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:32 PM:

" noblindershere writes: "I visit this shopping center atleast three times a week between the hours of 9-3pm and I have never come close to experiencing anything close to what you are explaining."

Well, gee.....Did it not occur to you that that's why you never experience gridlock? 9-3 is not exactly prime time. I have seen gridlock even worse than shown here. 5 o'clock rush hour, and on weekends sometimes, cars are backed up and stopped completely blocking traffic. Isn't that not the definition of gridlock? New York sees it on a much bigger scale, but I think New York was used to make a point.

Think before you criticize. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:40 PM:

" Seth, you did a fine job. I really like your intonation in the documentary. You sound professional. "

napa local wrote on Jul 9, 2009 11:43 PM:

" there was a huge waste of money with the new east entrance... just re open the right hand turn in the right lane entering the main entrance and people will funnel to the right when someone wants to get coffee...its so simple, who keeps wasting money on studies and new configurations? it was fine before the "fix" that created a merge on entering... re open the right hand turn to the bank... enough said! "

wined0wnnapa wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:37 AM:

" seth im a big fan. I especially like how you put in the leg work of countless hours and dedicated stake outs to expose the vile lowlifes who make illegal u-turns. seems like hell just isnt good enough for some people am i rite?

What happened to the video you had up where you filmed that guy at taylors who almost destroyed you because you honked at him and were smart enough to taunt him from your car while driving away.... Look out geraldo theres a new investigative journalist embedded in napa "

nanner wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:13 AM:

" They just need to close the back entrance. Make the cars go around. It's a shopping center not a drive through street.
The filming was done when it wasnt that busy. It's a nightmare most of the time. "

nwnapan wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:48 AM:

" Come on Seth. This is not really an issue. "

Jenn wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:48 AM:

" Great job Seth! I used to work in this plaza and getting in and out everyday was a nightmare. Not to mention the semi trucks making deliveries in here that make it even worse. I definetly applaud you and making this and you hit it right on the head. Now, the only question that I have, are the people that can make a difference and make this area easier and safer to drive going to listen. I hope they do.

Next intersection to be analyzed should be the new Soscol and Trancas up by nob hill! "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:49 AM:

" All I have to say is, red light cameras at all the Trancas intersections of the plaza!!!!
Great jo Set, as always! "

Sassy1 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:04 AM:

" GREAT JOB as I live behind and yes am one to use as a short cut BUT I think Diablo Street isnt the answer. if you are making the left in from Trancas or going straight from Calif the cars with the red light to make a right in should NOT be able to turn on RED as I find that they cause the ones with the GREEN light to be stuck in the middle of the road. hmmm wonder if a red light camera will work & a no turn on RED and get rid of that double double yellow to Target off Trancas as it doesnt work anyway & make a turn lane .... well what ever happens has to be better then what it is now .... JMO "

andy wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:09 AM:

" Is gridlock waiting a minute to get in? Then I guess this constitutes gridlock....maybe?

I agree with noblindershere, this is just not that big of a deal. Not something that warrants a 8 minute youtube video and especially not a mention in the paper. "

noblindershere wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:17 AM:

" hawkeye- "think before you criticize" Exactly...if most of the day there is no problem then why complain. Its "rush hour" and there are people going to shop after work, oh no! We should be happy that we have a shopping center that is jammed pack at certain hours of the day. I was just pulling into the Nob Hill parking lot off Trancas yesterday at 5 and the traffic was backed up into Trancas, oh no! This is what happend during high traffic times...who cares. Gain some patience and be polite and you will get your dinner just fine. No need to rip up another bit of landscape and asphalt because people think that waiting to get into a parking lot is out of the question. There are bigger fish to fry "

winewoman wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:02 AM:

" Nice job, Seth. Which is more than I can say for the article - who wrote that? A first grader? I can't believe that no one has commented on that. "

melimop wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:34 AM:

" This is awesome and so true. Love it! "

mytoosense wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:37 AM:

" why was the interview filmed at a bird sanctuary? "

freeport56 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:48 AM:

" Great job Seth. To do a follow up on the video, go between 4 and 5 pm. My wife and I live in Bell Air and have watched some very crazy drivers as well as pedestrians move through the center. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:05 AM:

" Can someone tell me what all the work on the east end (by Villa Corona) of this shopping center is/was suppose to accomplish? I thought I read about it “easing traffic flowing into and out of the shopping center.” Is it done? Because it doesn’t seem to me like it has changed a thing. But maybe I’m missing something. "

LocalNapa wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:06 AM:

" Much ado about nothing. I frequent Bel Aire several times a week at varying hours. I have never had an issue with the traffic or the parking. Does is get busy, yes, but never unbearable. This is a little overkill. "

LocalNapa wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:15 AM:

" Not a compelling video when many of the shots show little to no traffic entering and exiting, or cars patiently waiting as pedestrians cross the parking lot. "Quite a spectacle to behold" - Give me break! "

NAPAdocumentor wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM:

" This is to all of you who believe my video is overkill and or a waste of time. Let me say this: All the points I made in this video were based on collective opinions from the many people I've talked to about Bel Aire Plaza. My own opinions were not even voiced in this video. I was simply reporting on behalf of my fellow Napans on something that has been brought up A LOT. A topic that many many people want something done about. Many people I know avoid Bel Aire Plaza most of the time. Why else would they do that?

The point is, there will always be a few of you who won't agree on the points made in my documentaries or even agree that I should have covered a certain topic. What constitutes a major traffic problem to one person, won't be the same for the next person. And that's okay. Just a huge diversity of opinions out there and that's what makes our world so interesting.

---Seth Herbey "

justnana wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:08 PM:

" Thank goodness that "many" people are avoiding this shopping area because of percieved "gridlock". It makes it easier for the rest of us. We're just used to being a small town with small town traffic and this is more like what you would be seeing in any larger city. I live near St. A's and use Diablo/Bel-Aire as a "cut through" every morning to make my way to the freeway for my commute to the airport area. I would love to go direct to the freeway, but I would need to take my life in my hands trying to turn left onto Trower from Klamath then wait for 5 minutes at the light to turn left onto the freeway...even a worse option. I always find a spot to park when visiting BelAire, even Trader Joes. A little patience goes a long way. I do agree that the "road work" at the south east corner has not helped very much...certainly not in proportion to what it may have cost. "

clonapa wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:09 PM:

" I agree with localnapa. I go to this center 3-4 times a week and rarely have poblems. The entrance gets congested at time, I agree, but just practice patience and eventually you'll get in! LOL I also park away from the front of the stores, a little walk doesnt hurt anyone. "

steph wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:29 PM:

" Seth--I think you do good work. Very professional.

That said, justnana and I must be neighbors. I'm also one of the poor people who live in Bel Aire very close to Diablo--since 1995--and I don't have a big problem with the traffic. I did live in SF for four years, so maybe that makes a difference in my thinking. I do think the parking lot is poorly laid out for what the shopping center is today--bustling. I also think people drive like pinheads at times, acting as if the world ends at their shoulders, not caring if waiting for a close parking spot or making a left turn backs up traffic onto Trancas. THAT makes me crazy--people who are thoughtless/clueless. But overall, I don't get very stressed out about that lot. I'm really happy to have such a nice shopping center so close to home. I treasure Trader Joe's!! "

mytoosense wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:56 PM:

" "If that parking lot was redesigned and shoppers (that currently avoid it) were no longer afraid to shop there, that would serve our local economy better."

Seth-

Are locals now going out of town to buy their groceries because they are too afraid to venture into the urban jungle of bel aire plaza and face all of that new york gridlock? How much money is our local economy losing, I think you might just have a second story here, please interview these residents. "

4gnapan wrote on Jul 10, 2009 2:43 PM:

" I always use the back entrances. It used to be the entire stretch along trancas was curb-cut, which certainly made it simpler to get into Montgomery Wards. But those were the days when a left across trancas was a wee bit easier.

a real fix here would be to make the roadway thru the middle 2 lanes on the entry side, all the way to copperfields, with a lighted pedestrian crossing down by the "roundabout". It would cost a dozen parking spots and trees, but it would cut down the frustration immensely. "

wipemedown wrote on Jul 10, 2009 3:08 PM:

" tomfoolery, I'm glad someone has time to frolic around playing Parking Lot P.I....... "

NAPAdocumentor wrote on Jul 10, 2009 3:22 PM:

" mytoosense, you're right about the groceries. It would be silly to think grocery shoppers would leave town because of "New York City gridlock" and shop elsewhere. But there's more than grocery shopping in Bel Aire Plaza. Remember, there's Target, Copperfields, OSH, Pet Smart, Peet's Coffee, and a couple restaurants too.

I've been criticized for comparing our clogged traffic to "New York City gridlock". It was simply to make a point. I think people are used to Napa being a small town and with the huge explosion in our population over the last 20 years, the traffic issues might bring about perceptions or preconceived notions of what gridlock might look like for those not familiar with big city life. However, I have seen at times gridlock there just as I have seen it in New York City. Granted, it doesn't happen as much. But I think it boils down to too many people in such a small, poorly designed space, coupled with people in a hurry and sometimes not paying attention. One person may perceive Bel Aire Plaza to be a horrible place to drive and get around and next may think it's no problem at all. I have seen it highly hectic there and I have seen it quiet there. The opinions are varied. However, a higher percentage believe it is a problematic situation there more than other places. That's all. "

napagirl1970 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 4:10 PM:

" Seth I think your documentary was great. I agree that I avoid going to TJ's because I hate the parking lot, so I don't go there as often as I would like to. I have had many people tell me the same thing. God forbid you think you can make it in the parking lot before the light turns red. I got stuck once and I thought I was gonna have people jumping out of their cars to hit me. Keep on doing your Napa documentaries you are doing a great job. "

wined0wnnapa wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:01 PM:

" Here is a novel idea, look a few cars ahead of you at the light, if they are standing still, chances are, you wont be moving.

Unless you drive Bigfoot or Gravedigger, DONT ENTER THE INTERSECTION.

I know that the light may be green but like love, it wont last forever. Stay at the line if can clear the intersection. "

ff1189 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:20 PM:

" sky bridge?? wow hahahahaha "

winewoman wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:41 PM:

" Hmmm, poorly designed space - where have I heard that before. Oh, yeah - in another article today. Seems that Napa has a lot of "poorly designed spaces". In the private sector, people would lose their jobs over such incompetence. I'm dealing with a "city planning" issue that is damaging my property. The city wants me to pay for them to fix it. Imagine that. They planned poorly and I have to pay for them to fix their screw up. Our so-called planners should quit out of embarrassment so we can hire real planners to fix our infrastructure issues. "

skeptic wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:27 PM:

" it looks like most agree and like the short documentary. i think it's worth the trouble just to get into trader joe's. the parking could be better as well as the traffic design but " don't you love trader joe's ? " is a common expression among those who shop there .
i hope this blog will make people scared to shop bel-aire though. that way there will be more room to park there when i want to shop. "

napablogger wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:37 PM:

" I go there just about every day, sometimes even twice. Traffic is fine. The biggest time is 3 to 3:30 when schools get out and the hospital workers at the Queen get off work and come down. Ask people who work there.

Try going to Whole Foods in Walnut Creek, Berkeley, or even Santa Rosa if you want to see a jammed parking lot. Way worse than Bel Aire.

Of course, what the heck does it say about me that I go every day? I will have to navel gaze on that a while. While I drink my Peets. "

winewoman wrote on Jul 11, 2009 10:34 AM:

" Napablogger, dude, it means that you don't have a real job - if you can go there twice a day. For the rest of us who go there after 5pm and on weekends, the traffic is gnarly, man. "

rico wrote on Jul 13, 2009 8:21 AM:

" Was there yesterday - Sunday mid-afternoon. No problem. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 13, 2009 11:15 AM:

" The main problem with the parking lot is people who don't take the first parking spot they see and instead drive to the front and wait for people to back out and this causes traffic behind them to backup all the way to the main entrance. People are to lazy to walk an extra 100 ft to the store. Thats the problem "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 13, 2009 11:44 AM:

" Seth,
You also did a good job showing how people would go into the intersection without knowing wether they would make it all the way through or be stuck in the middle, This is a BIG NO NO, and part of Drivers ED 101. You NEVER enter an intersection without knowing wether you will make it through. The problem isn't so much with the parking lot, but bad drivers. You showed someone do a California stop at the 4 way stop sign also, This is also a BIG NO NO. Mainly you pointed towards bad drivers, not a bad parking lot. Also the entrance by Villa Corona is not new, it has been there for years, it just recently was expanded, but was always there and I always used it. You should do a report on the bad drivers that mess up that parking lot, instead of the parking lot itself "

skeptic wrote on Jul 13, 2009 7:00 PM:

" we shopped at trader joes today at 4 pm and there was some parking within 100 ft. of the store. walking extra would probably do most of us some good anyway. just before turning left where seth pictured a car going through a red light, we saw a white s.u.v. do it about 3 seconds after it had turned red.
i liked the idea posed by some bloggers to seth's red light camera documentary . instead of giving tons of fine money to out of state businesses , use volunteers to video the red light runners according to defined criteria. cutting down on yellow light times, which causes more accidents , would be documented as well.
that way, the city could keep all the fine money rather than risking not breaking even on this deal and yellow times would be fair to drivers who don't intend to run through a red light. "

burt wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:47 AM:

" Now every time I drive into this shopping center I say to myself "Gridlock!" as I wait 15 seconds to park. Some Napans are funny. "

kkkkaty wrote on Jul 23, 2009 2:44 PM:

" I think that anyone wanting to go right onto Trancas (west) from the Bel Aire (BA) should be made to use the exit on the west side of Pharma. Anyone wanting to enter BA from Trancas heading west would have to enter by Villa Corona and people wanting to go east on Trancas should have to exit there (with new lights - I know - hateful idea) at that intersection. The current entrance/exit from California would become a 4 lane entrance with only one lane for people wanting to to south on California. People coming north from California and people making a left going south on Trancas and into BA would use the entrance on California. With only one lane exiting from BA at that corner, it would be much easier to get into the center.

Also, just an aside to traffic engineers, why not have main intersections traffic controlled (as most are now) but then have secondary roads within a block or 2 of the main intersection tied into the lights at the main intersection? One gets through Lincoln at California then gets stuck at "Lucky Lane" (or vice/versa heading north on California.) Very bad on gas mileage & pollution to have everyone stopping then starting again. Even the lights along Trancas from California to Solano should all be actin in concert. "

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