Written by 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
The Landing – Citizens pay and is it legal?
Randy, this is Inez Somerville Petersen checking in on the subject of the theater at The Landing. I know you support The Landing, and I too would like to have a shopping center closeby BUT and that’s a BIG BUT . . .
Tuesday’s hearing could make for an exciting morning no Citizen of Renton will want to miss, not if they care about whose hand is in their pocketbook.
Why attend? The mayor has volunteered to build the theater’s parking garage to get that business to come to The Landing.
* AMC Theaters can afford to build its own parking garage.
* Why should we taxpayers foot the bill?
* Would the City pay for your garage to get you to build a house in Renton? No, in fact, the City would probably charge you for even asking.
* The garage project is $20 million today. That’s about $20,000 a parking stall.
* When did the bureaucrats ever meet budget targets, isn’t it always more? So $20 million could become $30 million, who knows?
* But one thing we do know: Citizens will be paying for the theater’s parking garage to the tune of at least $20,000 a stall.
* If you don’t like the mayor offering your tax dollars as a “carrot” like this without asking you and not telling you after she’s done it anyway, please plan to attend this hearing.
See you there: 9 a.m., Tue, Aug 22nd, 7th Floor City Council Chambers
And one more final thought, is it legal for the City to provide funding for the theater’s garage?
Good day Randy
As always, great job.
Nice to see ya on line,
Peace,
Bonnie Fitzgerald