Streetscape improvements to Greektown?

[Genesyxx]

From Model D:

Additionally, two main stretches of Greektown streets will be similarly enhanced with $1.5 million of stimulus funds, working with the City of Detroit. Decorative and scored sidewalks, new streetlights, bike racks, trash receptacles and trees will be installed on Monroe St. from St. Antoine St. to Randolph St., and Brush St. from Lafayette Blvd. to Gratiot Ave.

I think they should just make it accessible to foot traffic only [[see Beale St, Memphis).

[reddog289]

I like driving down Monroe, makes me feel like an NYC cabbie.

[gumby]

I think they should just make it accessible to foot traffic only

No pedestrian malls please. More often than not hey kill areas.

[WPitonya]

Yes, pedestrian malls are generally an outdated way of thinking, urban planning wise. Density is key....traffic, street performers, pedestrians. Monroe without cars would seem too dead.

[heedus]

Plus, too many of the streets downtown are cut off, either by very large structures or government intervention, from vehicle traffic as it is. In Cleveland, there is one small street where it works [[East 4th b/w Euclid and Prospect), but I wouldn't recommend doing something like that on Monroe Street, even if it was only for a block.

[Rocko]

heedus, you nailed it. I've yet to find a city as bad as Detroit when it comes to such a disjointed street system. As if we don't have enough trouble with the overlaying French, Woodward, and Township/Range grid street patterns and neighborhoods which were platted individually so side streets and main streets don't line up and jog back and forth constantly, random projects, businesses, and other developments [[government, security, etc etc) just plow over the streets making it inpossible to navigate anywhere around here. If a southwest side scrap yard decides to expand into the next block, they just take over the side street in the process! Streets end and begin again, sometimes for only a block or two. One ways add to the confusion.

[gnome]

I've yet to find a city as bad as Detroit when it comes to such a disjointed street system

You might want to take a look at Philly or Boston. Boston in particular has a road network that looks like a plate of spagetti. Detroit in comparison is as logical as a slide-rule.

As far as 1.5 Million on street scaping... Monroe is three blocks long, same for Brush. The Monroe stretch will start next to the OddFellows Hall [[the building that fell off last year) and end at St. Mary's church.

The Brush stretch will run from the Anthenum to the Hilton Garden Inn. That means that the crossroads will be at Brush and Monroe.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...h&z=16&iwloc=A

From google maps you'll see that Brush Street is mainly taken up by parking lots. If the purpose is to encourage existing buisnesses, Brush seems like a poor choice. If the purpose is to encourage new building and buisness, than Monroe seems a poor choice.

[Gistok]

Yes, pedestrian malls are generally an outdated way of thinking, urban planning wise.

This is mainly true for the USA, where many folks are too lazy to walk. In Europe Pedestrian zones in city centers continue to thrive.

[kraig]

You might want to take a look at Philly or Boston. Boston in particular has a road network that looks like a plate of spagetti. Detroit in comparison is as logical as a slide-rule.

Good point Gnome. Ironically enough, the Campus Martius project was place where it was based on Boston. That's why the City ended up cutting off Fort Street. We're one of the few cities around where you can't travel any streets from east to west through downtown.

As far as Greektown, now you're talking about a true jewel in this city. Greektown helped hold this city together with spit and barbed wire in the 80's and 90's. It's too bad that the Casino has taken away from the ethnic feel of the area, I love going to areas that can give you sense of someone's culture. That's why I like the Southwest side and the seven mile strip between woodward and John R so much. It would be great if the City could establish another Chinatown in the Cass Corridor and another Paradise Valley.

[Bobl]

Now, if they would just get rid of that damned casino, and replace it with ethnic [[Greek) restaurants and a coffee house......

[Mackinaw]

Boston just has difficult geography. Post-big dig, however, I'm very impressed with their surface street environment.

The big difference between Detroit and other old downtowns is the amount of superblocks and parking lots. Other cities might have strange configurations, but it's not good downtown form to do things like block off streets for corporate lawns [[like Detroit has done with St. Antoine Street for BCBS and with multiple streets over by the casinos and DTE HQ).

Say no to downtown pedestrian malls, but say yes to wider sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic calming measures, for example.