by Jeff Ferzoco, Creative Director, Regional Plan Association
In the last Spotlight we looked at London's closing of Oxford and Bond Streets and posed the question to our readers about what crowded sections of the city should be turned over to foot traffic. We had more than a few good responses.
Anne from Brooklyn noted the section of Lexington between 57th and 60th was, "so narrow that pedestrians walking in opposite directions have to squeeze by each other. There is the constant din of trucks and cars. In addition, that area desperately needs seating, greenery, and places to get a quick snack or cup of coffee." She went on to say, "Imagine how much more money New Yorkers and visitors would spend (and how much more fun they would have) if Lexington Avenue was designated for people instead of cars." This was a running theme in our responses: how business should be interested in exploring increasing foot traffic.
More than one respondent was bullish about closing larger parts of Broadway entirely. Paul offered, "Broadway from Columbus Circle (or at least 49th Street and 42nd Street from Lexington Ave. to 8th Ave.) should be a Midtown pedestrian-only zone. Broadway is an oddball in the Manhattan grid, while 42nd St. could be a transit way, bus only (no cars or taxis) or even (gasp!) light rail." Others targeted the section of Broadway from Houston to Canal as "horrendous" and "inhumane," a judgment with which I personally agree. After seeing someone knocked off a curb into Prince Street traffic three weeks ago, I question the use of cars there as well.
Another Brooklyn reader, Ursula, said, "the need to close narrow Montague Street, the main shopping street in Brooklyn Heights, is particularly acute. Traffic flow along the entire length of the street is impeded more often than not." She guessed that "restaurateurs would lick their fingers and be the first to take the opportunity to expand their outdoor cafes and restaurants and thereby create a welcoming ambience."
Other responders questioned why some streets had been previously closed in other cities and were now reopened to traffic. "While I lived in Chicago," said a reader named Bruce, "State Street was converted from a pedestrian-bus-cab street back to all traffic after 18 years or so. I would encourage research as to why the transfer back."
Following Bruce's suggestion, we looked into this and discovered State Street was closed from 1979 to 1996 and reopened to private car traffic by the Chicago Department of Planning's State Street Redevelopment Project. At that time, sidewalks were narrowed from 44 to 22 feet, which was intended to bring foot traffic back towards the storefronts.
Remembering back to my childhood in Los Angeles, we used to walk around Westwood Village on Friday and Saturday nights when it was closed to cars. Since then, it too has been shifted back to car traffic because of market forces.
There are many other examples from around the country and world of pedestrianizing roadways. A good list can be found here: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_carfree_places). While some might think New York is far off from realizing any form of street pedestrianization, Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative issues a mandate which directs City DOT to "reimagine the public realm." This is happening, we've been told, and includes agency officials looking at the London model. So, maybe not so far off, after all.
Thanks to our readers for their thoughtful responses.
In the last Spotlight we looked at London's closing of Oxford and Bond Streets and posed the question to our readers about what crowded sections of the city should be turned over to foot traffic. We had more than a few good responses.
Anne from Brooklyn noted the section of Lexington between 57th and 60th was, "so narrow that pedestrians walking in opposite directions have to squeeze by each other. There is the constant din of trucks and cars. In addition, that area desperately needs seating, greenery, and places to get a quick snack or cup of coffee." She went on to say, "Imagine how much more money New Yorkers and visitors would spend (and how much more fun they would have) if Lexington Avenue was designated for people instead of cars." This was a running theme in our responses: how business should be interested in exploring increasing foot traffic.
More than one respondent was bullish about closing larger parts of Broadway entirely. Paul offered, "Broadway from Columbus Circle (or at least 49th Street and 42nd Street from Lexington Ave. to 8th Ave.) should be a Midtown pedestrian-only zone. Broadway is an oddball in the Manhattan grid, while 42nd St. could be a transit way, bus only (no cars or taxis) or even (gasp!) light rail." Others targeted the section of Broadway from Houston to Canal as "horrendous" and "inhumane," a judgment with which I personally agree. After seeing someone knocked off a curb into Prince Street traffic three weeks ago, I question the use of cars there as well.
Another Brooklyn reader, Ursula, said, "the need to close narrow Montague Street, the main shopping street in Brooklyn Heights, is particularly acute. Traffic flow along the entire length of the street is impeded more often than not." She guessed that "restaurateurs would lick their fingers and be the first to take the opportunity to expand their outdoor cafes and restaurants and thereby create a welcoming ambience."
Other responders questioned why some streets had been previously closed in other cities and were now reopened to traffic. "While I lived in Chicago," said a reader named Bruce, "State Street was converted from a pedestrian-bus-cab street back to all traffic after 18 years or so. I would encourage research as to why the transfer back."
Following Bruce's suggestion, we looked into this and discovered State Street was closed from 1979 to 1996 and reopened to private car traffic by the Chicago Department of Planning's State Street Redevelopment Project. At that time, sidewalks were narrowed from 44 to 22 feet, which was intended to bring foot traffic back towards the storefronts.
Remembering back to my childhood in Los Angeles, we used to walk around Westwood Village on Friday and Saturday nights when it was closed to cars. Since then, it too has been shifted back to car traffic because of market forces.
There are many other examples from around the country and world of pedestrianizing roadways. A good list can be found here: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_carfree_places). While some might think New York is far off from realizing any form of street pedestrianization, Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative issues a mandate which directs City DOT to "reimagine the public realm." This is happening, we've been told, and includes agency officials looking at the London model. So, maybe not so far off, after all.
Thanks to our readers for their thoughtful responses.
@RegionalPlan
You should definately write more about this! Please!