The next battle came in 1993, after consultants recommended widening Riverside to six lanes from 21st to 56th streets and four lanes from Houston Avenue to 21st.

Mayor Susan Savage, the Chamber of Commerce, the River Parks Authority and the planning commission all supported the widening plan as a public safety issue due to rising traffic counts.

Protesters attended City Hall meetings, waving signs urging “Don’t go wide with Riverside.”

They wrapped yellow plastic tape around trees and parkland they believed the widening plan would eliminate.

“What we’re saying is stop and consider the priorities,” said Stacy Clark, leader of the Riverside Citizens Association. “Our priorities are the park first, residents second and commuters third.”

In November 1993, after four hours of debate, the City Council approved the plan in a 5-4 vote. Then-City Councilor Dewey Bartlett was among the “no” votes.

Riverside never did go wide as proposed.

A 1994 city ordinance that became known as the “Bartlett Amendment” essentially requires that any major changes to Riverside Drive be approved by voters as a separate ballot item, not bundled with other projects.