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Pedestrian Streets/Malls:
There are two types of pedestrian streets/malls: (1) those that eliminate motor
vehicle traffic (deliveries permitted during off-peak hours) and (2) those that
allow some motor vehicle traffic at very low speeds. The second type can be
thought of as a pedestrian street that allows some motor vehicles, as opposed
to a motor vehicle street that allows some pedestrians.
Pedestrian streets have been successful in places that are thriving and have
high volumes of pedestrians. Examples of successful pedestrian streets include
Church Street in Burlington, VT; Downtown Crossing in Boston, MA; Maiden Lane
in San Francisco, CA; Occidental Street in Seattle, WA; Third Street Promenade
in Santa Monica, CA; and, Fremont Street in Las Vegas, NV.
Another option is to create a part-time pedestrian street, as is done, for example,
in the French Quarter in New Orleans, LA, which uses removable barriers to close
the street to motorists at night.
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Create a significant public space in a downtown district, a tourist district,
or a special events or marketplace area.
Enhance the experience for people in a commercial district. |
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Pedestrian streets (those that eliminate motor vehicles) created with
the notion of attracting people in areas that are on the decline have usually
been unsuccessful.
The pedestrian environment can often be enhanced through other measures,
including street narrowing/ sidewalk widening and the addition of landscaping. |
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A pedestrian street can be created simply by blocking either end of an existing
street with nothing more than a few signs. Temporary pedestrian streets can
be created for weekends or holidays. If the street is going to be a permanent
public space, care should be taken in the design. Depending on the extent of
the treatment (one block or several blocks) and the quality of the materials
used, a true pedestrian street can cost from $100,000 to several million dollars. |
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