Paul Goldman Cannot Parallel Park
Mayoral Candidate Paul Goldman wants no cars and no bikes in Carytown. From Thompson Street all the way to the Boulevard.
Question: Is it the parking that is keeping people from Carytown??
Question: Where can I park?
Question: Can I ride my Bike to Agees to get repairs?
Here's my take --
People go to Carytown -- to walk, talk, eat, and "window" shop. Yes, we occasionally buy something here and there - but mostly we are like "look how much they want for this". And I understand that everything has to be $$$$ in Carytown - because of increasing rent by landlords. and the Landlords want the increase becasue the demand is so high -- we get it. But what happens then?? To the little guy?
Whats the future of Carytown?? Eventually no more mom and pops stores that we like -- it will all be - chains. A kind of "short pump in the fan" place.
As for the no cars/bikes. I say go ahead -- Paul Goldman.
Read more here at the RTD.
Posts
5 comments:
Why don't they close off a street downtown for this, like part of Grace or something, and start some fresh local development? Cary street doesn't need anyone's help.
I think the idea has merit, especially during peek weekend hours. Traffic in Carytown is congested and dangerous. A trolly system could take you up and down Cary and off street parking could be expanded on Main.
I can parallel park, but people avoid Carytown for that very reason.
Its easy to make fun of Goldman, but he is the one candidate who is making actual statements about about issues. I challenge other candidates to make this promise-
Goldman for Mayor - 20 June 2008 - For Immediate Release -
Goldman Stood Alone Last Night Against the Those Who Want to "pave paradise and put up a parking lot" (copyright acknowledgement below)
As reported this morning by Will Jones, Paul Goldman was the only candidate last night who "called for land along the James River to be preserved."
(Richmond) - Paul Goldman, candidate for Mayor, said today that "it is now clear that my vision for Richmond is the only one that can be trusted to protect the Riverfront for future generations."
"Once again, I am the only candidate opposed to Echo Harbour and the only future Mayor who can be trusted to be innovative, informed, and independent when it comes to siding with the public interest, not the special interests of the special interests."
Big Yellow Taxi
by Joni Mitchell
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
Put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
Copyright © Siquomb Publishing Company
http://jonimitchell.com/research/g_entry.cfm?id=42
It has some merit for Carytown, but compared to other areas of Richmond, that street doing fine. It's like the only place in downtown that County folks feel comfortable going to shop. I'd say it's all set. It would require a huge investment to make up for all that lost parking, and lots of traffic would then be flushed into the Fan. There is just enough parking deck space available for those who cannot parallel park, (even though every driver should know how to do that before they get their license).
I think our downtown should be considered for a courtyard since parts of it need more help, we're trying to make downtown more liveable, more lucrative, pedestrian friendly, etc.
The real problems in Carytown are that the rent is sky high (and this would only make it go up), they have way too much stuff that nobody wants to buy, and out of towners and County folks have a hard time finding their way back to the highway. That, and everyone driving down it is a looky-lou, but that probably doesn't warrant closing it off completely.
If there is some evidence that the traffic on Cary is truly dangerous, then I'd reconsider. But most of the foot traffic is walking up one side and down the other. Turning it a closed courtyard could make popping into a specific place on a slow weekday a much bigger pain than it is now.
Immediately surrounding neighborhoods are the Museum District and Carytown South, then the Fan across Boulevard. Having lived in both places, Carytown traffic has impact to those neighborhoods but mostly a peaceful coexistence (except around French Film Festival and Watermelon Festival but still, no major daily pain).
Traffic is crazy in Carytown because it is too fast. FOlks are looking to save their expressway dime and cut through Ellwood /Main and Cary like they are personal speedways. The master plan we all bled over calls for the removal of one way streets in favor two way traffic to slow traffic and improve the "walkability" of the area.
I say, change Ellwood/Main and Cary back to two way traffic, advertise your parking decks, and clean up the public spaces until the Trolley returns (cross fingers but don't hold your breath). This way the area is accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of mode of transportation and the local merchants and residents are not left to dangle in the limbo of the latest experiment in change for change sake.
Post a Comment