Value of "Pedestrian Street" designation? (Rock Island, Lincoln: tenant, college)

[Chi-town Native]

Hi everyone, pfft, a lifetime here and I had never heard of this "pedestrian street" designation before last week.

Anybody have any experience/insights to offer? I agree with the commenter at the story below who says Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square would be a better model for Milwaukee than what seems to be planned...

Save Milwaukee Avenue’s pedestrian orientation « Peopling Places

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Hi everyone, pfft, a lifetime here and I had never heard of this "pedestrian street" designation before last week.

Anybody have any experience/insights to offer? I agree with the commenter at the story below who says Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square would be a better model for Milwaukee than what seems to be planned...

Save Milwaukee Avenue’s pedestrian orientation « Peopling Places

"Pedestrian streets" have often been the death knell for smaller cities and even some business districts in larger ones. Remember what happened to State St. when vehicles were restricted somewhat and the street all but died? I remember someting similar in Rock Island, IL, and other places. On the other hand, portions of Downtown Dublin, Ireland are pedestrian-only and work well. Mexico City just converted a major street into pedestrian only and it's successful, thus far. That short stretch of somewhat restricted access Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square works well, also. Maybe this concept works better in heavily touristed big cities. I don't place Milwaukee in that category, though.

[cubssoxfan]

The reason Lincoln Av in Lincoln Sq. works is because you have Western Av to use for traffic flow. Does this stretch of Milwaukee have an alternate for traffic to use & would it be difficult to engineer?

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by gomexico

"Pedestrian streets" have often been the death knell for smaller cities and even some business districts in larger ones. Remember what happened to State St. when vehicles were restricted somewhat and the street all but died? I remember someting similar in Rock Island, IL, and other places. On the other hand, portions of Downtown Dublin, Ireland are pedestrian-only and work well. Mexico City just converted a major street into pedestrian only and it's successful, thus far. That short stretch of somewhat restricted access Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square works well, also. Maybe this concept works better in heavily touristed big cities. I don't place Milwaukee in that category, though.

I suppose had I read the original post clearly I would have recognized my comments were not relevant. Mostly not relevant. Sorry for wasting the bandwith.

[Chicago60614]

Iowa City has 4 blocks that have been ped only since the 70's. It actually works great and the city would be at a huge loss if they ever took it away. It's unique though, because it's shared by the downtown and the campus population. 30,000 college students within a few blocks of it and it being the focal point of another regular 70,000 residents means there are actually enough people to make it extremely lively and energized. It's the focal point of the community.

Most communities don't have that many people in such a small area, and especially people who don't all need to DRIVE there.

[Attrill]

Just to clarify what is being discussed to people who aren't reading the article linked to - this is NOT a pedestrian only street. The designation ...

encourages pedestrian-scaled entrances on the street, outdoor display of produce and plants, transparent windows for pedestrians to look into, outdoor eating areas, and limited and hidden parking.

So basically it bans parking lots and curb cuts, and encourages window displays, outdoor seating and awnings. It does not shut down the street to cars.

I think the designation makes a lot of sense, especially for a location that is so close to Logan Square and the L. It gets a lot of foot traffic.

[chet everett]

The funny thing too is that the author of the blog "does not know" why the alderman want to change the pedestrian street designation for the the parcels in question.

Two, no make that ONE, guess -- M.O.N.E.Y. !

Some ruthless developer knows that if they can build a parking lot or drive-up window or even just a walled off entrance their tenant(s) can be charged more money...

Funny thing too, having been on that stretch of Milwaukee Ave many times, the relative success of the orientation of the street to the kinds of shoppers that are in the area. Adding non-ethnic /chain restaurant/ national stores is kinda pointless.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

The reason Lincoln Av in Lincoln Sq. works is because you have Western Av to use for traffic flow. Does this stretch of Milwaukee have an alternate for traffic to use & would it be difficult to engineer?

90/94 and the Blue Line both track Milwaukee, those seem pretty sufficient to me.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Attrill

So basically it bans parking lots and curb cuts, and encourages window displays, outdoor seating and awnings. It does not shut down the street to cars.

I think the designation makes a lot of sense, especially for a location that is so close to Logan Square and the L. It gets a lot of foot traffic.

Totally agreed.

[Drover]

I like the selective use of imagery in the link, as if the buildings will suddenly become abandoned and covered with brown paint and/or graffiti if the designation is removed.