help me understand the 20 miles of permanent street closure (Seattle: apartment, homes)

[flyingsaucermom]

What does it mean to e permanent? Like, longer than covid-19? What about the homes on the streets and driving in and out of the neighborhood?

As an Eastsider I just can't quite grasp the concept without seeing it. Our local park has been closed for nearly 2 months and I love it. It's usually a quick cut through to get out of the neighborhood and it's used by lots of vehicles during youth sports games, but for now it's pretty awesome having the extra space to walk or ride a bike/scooter/skateboard. I'm glad Seattle is providing a similar opportunity for its residents.

[thatguy950]

I’m not sure either, but permanently closing 20-some miles of roads, any roads, in Seattle seems like a traffic apocalypse

[TheTimidBlueBars]

I noticed a couple streets in Crown Hill closed today, that must've been what that was

[Hemlock140]

They were originally done in response to COVID-19, but were since made permanent by the mayor, in another move to reduce the cars, and increase the bikes and walking. To me, that seems contrary to social distancing, which is best done by being in your car.



Residents of those blocks, delivery drivers, and garbage collectors will still be able to drive through them.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

They were originally done in response to COVID-19, but were since made permanent by the mayor, in another move to reduce the cars, and increase the bikes and walking. To me, that seems contrary to social distancing, which is best done by being in your car.



Residents of those blocks, delivery drivers, and garbage collectors will still be able to drive through them.

Oh okay.. well, with residents and their service providers still able to use roads I guess I don't see the big deal.

[rjshae]

A city with one of the worst (pre-COVID-19) traffic congestion problems in the country is going to close more streets. What could possibly go wrong? Well I suppose this will create more of a neighborhood feel, because who else is going to visit. Never let a crisis go to waste.

[thenext88]

I think this could be the start of a great thing. The solution was never to build more roads or even more mass transit. We are doing the solution right now. Work that is remote now should remain remote (or at least optionally remote for those who want to go into the office) when COVID passes, so there should be less cars on the roads anyway.

Car culture is the biggest waste of life and energy ever. And another way to encourage society to move away from it other than working remotely is exactly what Seattle is doing right now. I hope parts of LA, despite how bad the traffic was here prior to COVID start doing this too. This is one of those things that can be better about the "new normal".

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by thenext88

I think this could be the start of a great thing. The solution was never to build more roads or even more mass transit. We are doing the solution right now. Work that is remote now should remain remote (or at least optionally remote for those who want to go into the office) when COVID passes, so there should be less cars on the roads anyway.

Car culture is the biggest waste of life and energy ever. And another way to encourage society to move away from it other than working remotely is exactly what Seattle is doing right now. I hope parts of LA, despite how bad the traffic was here prior to COVID start doing this too. This is one of those things that can be better about the "new normal".

We have learned from new construction in West Seattle where the apartment buildings have no parking whatsoever since they are close to transit. People move in with 1-2 cars, and now have to fight for street parking. Working from home means more parking all day and night, so even more parking issues. Eliminating streets or parking will not reduce the number of cars, nor the number of people wanting to move to this area, especially when companies like Amazon continue to hire in such great numbers. Many come from other states where the car is king, and congestion not as big a deal. It's hard to go from hopping into the car whenever you want to go somewhere to Uber. For me, the $200/month savings in gas by working from home means more to spend on road trips, and towing our travel trailer.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

We have learned from new construction in West Seattle where the apartment buildings have no parking whatsoever since they are close to transit. People move in with 1-2 cars, and now have to fight for street parking. Working from home means more parking all day and night, so even more parking issues. Eliminating streets or parking will not reduce the number of cars, nor the number of people wanting to move to this area, especially when companies like Amazon continue to hire in such great numbers. Many come from other states where the car is king, and congestion not as big a deal. It's hard to go from hopping into the car whenever you want to go somewhere to Uber. For me, the $200/month savings in gas by working from home means more to spend on road trips, and towing our travel trailer.

Parking in Seattle is terrible. Everywhere.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

Parking in Seattle is terrible. Everywhere.

Well right now the parking garages are all empty. They have not dropped the prices, though. I had to go into the office on Monday for an hour to pick up a new company iPhone and our 5 level garage had maybe 10 cars in it.