The New Logan Avenue is going to provide a direct four-lane connection from Exit 5, through the Landing, and right into downtown Renton near the Downtown Parking Garage and Piazza. Now is a great time to redouble our efforts to effect more positive change downtown, by making sure that the completed Logan Ave encourages lots of two way traffic to tie our Downtown and Landing business districts together. We also need to look at public infrastructure improvements to downtown in 2007 and 2008, to further enhance the business environment and security in this important and historic area.
We have put the subject of one-way streets on the back burner, but it is also time to reconsider making more of our streets two-way traffic again. When a motorist passes a business, thinks about stopping in, but then has to drive six blocks to get back to where they were, it inhibits patronage. One-way downtown streets are largely a failed urban experiment from the 1960s and 1970s. Modern business districts use them very rarely, and Renton’s downtown streets were not originally platted for one way traffic. Sure, they can carry 10 percent more vehicles, but sometimes at the expense of giving downtown streets the feel of confusing limited access”freeways.”
Most of the greatest shopping streets in the world, such as the Champs Elysees in Paris, have two-way traffic flow (four lanes each way in the case of Champs Elysees). Let’s take a look at this.
Also, I’ve been told that we are contemplating assessing downtown merchants a fee for new public ammenities such as benches, but I think that would be the wrong thing to do. After spending twenty million dollars for streets at the Landing, I think council can prioritize some money in 2007 and 2008 to clean up the downtown a little, and develop a promenade between downtown and the Landing. The downtown merchants deserve as much, and it would do the overall city a lot of good.
I am very optimistic that Renton businesses in all disttricts, including the highlands, will experience banner years ahead. A rising tide lifts all boats, and our city is getting a tide of positive press for our economic development efforts. Let’s make sure we take full advantage, and not make anyone sink as the tide comes in.
As always, I am interested in your thoughts on this subject!
Thanks,
Randy
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