The CA reported today on 4 different plans to open the Main Street Mall back up to vehicular traffic. Cost would range from $50,000 to $9 million, depending on plan.
Up until this point I was in favor of opening the mall back up to cars. I thought (and still do think) it would stimulate retail growth and foot traffic in the area… eventually it would lead to the opening of more restaurants and more boutique-type stores (some of which would hopefully sell tube tops). I don’t think it would make panhandling worse on Main, especially with the new security patrol in place (assuming it continues past the end of the trial period on June 30).
However, after reading the article’s comments I see a major concern. On the weekends, what’s going to stop the cruisers from taking over Main Street the way they have taken over Second, Union, etc.? At times it’s nearly impossible to navigate Second on Friday and Saturday nights, due to the number of teenagers out cruising with their stereos turned up all the way. I can easily see the cruisers deciding to make Main and Second from, say, Poplar to Peabody Place their main loop. That would clog up traffic (cruisers + trolley… just imagine) and ruin the quality of life for people who live on Main. I used to live on Union, in an apartment at Fourth which was right on the main cruising drag, and it was near impossible to get to sleep before 3 in the morning due to the noise.
So, here’s my take on it… I’d be in favor of re-opening Main to vehicle traffic, if the former pedestrian mall portion is closed to traffic from 9 PM to 5 AM Fridays, Saturdays, and major party holidays like Halloween and New Year’s Eve.
Just my 2 cents worth. Oh, also, I favor the $50,000 plan. Try that one, and if it doesn’t work, go back and revisit the more expensive plans.