There was this, and quite a lot of you read it today. I'm thankful.
ON THE AVENUES: Really, the word “progressive” embarrasses you? That’s okay, because political cowardice disgusts me.
... Of course, right now, as it stands, the city’s interminable, fear-driven delay of street grid reform is quite effectively achieving the very same result (small business failure), by leaving in place a one-way arterial street grid that nullifies every penny-ante ribbon cutting and “stay open late” promotion tossed into the air by increasingly desperate indie shop owners in the absence of a downtown economic development plan, because while street grid reform could be so very helpful, and constitute an economic development plan in itself, it would fatally embarrass a Democratic mayor to be seen openly advocating it.
Subsequently, JeffG succinctly applied my column's conclusions to a real-life evening with real, live people.
K and I spent last evening at BSB with a group of artists, musicians, and writers preparing for an exhibit and performances in New Albany. Initial conversation was about redevelopment in various areas of the metro. When it came to NA, the very first thing mentioned (and not by K or me) was that there are some good things happening (independent businesses and arts) but that the streets "are so wide and fast, it makes it all less appealing". The first response? Another person pointed to Elm Street where they'd just been, saying, "Yeah, people do what seems like 80 mph just on that street, and it's smaller than some of the rest", pointing out Spring as worse. When I explained that some of us are aware and have been petitioning the City for change, the original commenter said "I'm sure you are, it's needed" and then proceeded to make a comparison with Jeffersonville, where the streets are narrower, slower, and more visitor friendly. Then someone else mentioned that the general consensus among their acquaintances was that they wished New Albany's businesses and activities were in Jeffersonville.
That's right, Jeff and David and John and Adam.
In Jeffersonville.
Back in July, I clearly repudiated Big Four Envy, and enunciated the program by which New Albany could have its own "Big Four." We're due for a reprise, so here is an excerpt.
ON THE AVENUES: We have our own Big Four. They’re called Main, Market, Spring and Elm.
... The Big Four Bridge is open every day, and people use it every day. It isn’t open once a year, or once a month. It’s every day. As I write, metro Louisville residents are making the Big Four part of their daily arsenal of lifestyle and recreational choices. That’s all of it in a nutshell. Meanwhile, New Albany has the ideal means to steal a march not just on Jeffersonville, but on the remainder of the metropolitan area, by thinking about what makes the Big Four “special” on a daily basis … just without an actual bridge.
With our streets.
We have a street study coming from the nationally renowned Jeff Speck, who (believe it or not) knows even more about such matters than Bob Caesar, and when Speck’s study is finished, we must embrace walkability and embark upon a progressive, rapid, no-compromises program of traffic calming, complete streets and two-way street conversions.
By doing so, and by staking a claim to being the most walkable and bikeable neighborhood in metro Louisville, we can utilize the street grid we already possess to enhance our quality of life every single day, not just during those exhaustively conjured “special” occasions.
In effect, and to a far greater physical degree, New Albany’s street grid is our Big Four Bridge. The reformatted street grid is the canvas, and its users will do the painting. A walkable and bikeable street grid will be the daily complement to business and residential interests, rather than catering solely to cars and trucks alone, encouraging a broader base for the type of “special” activities the city currently takes upon itself to plan. They’ll happen more often, and more spontaneously, as instigated by businesses and residents.
In short, New Albany can be rendered “special” every single day by design, with the street grid supporting revitalization, not working against it – as our sad, outmoded truck-choked, speeding one-way streets do now.
There's the tourist slogan: "New Albany: For 196 Years, We Coulda Been a Contender."
Drinking Progressively: Let's make it Tuesday evenings, beginning on November 25.
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