Quote:
Originally Posted by cololi
Every city has wide streets, it is just SLC has more of them then most. Even when crossing Michigan Ave, it never feels as wide, not just because of the planters, but the buildings make the street width seem much smaller. The lanes on Michigan Ave. are also narrow, about a foot each when I paced them off last summer, then most travel lanes in SLC.
I would prefer to see curb separated bike lanes down the middle of a few of the streets. This is far safer for bikers, less conflicts with driveways, turning vehicles, and car doors. Could you image these lanes down State or 700 East through the whole valley? West temple would be good between 900 South and North Temple. You could also get one on 800 South all the way up to the mouth of Emigration Canyon. IT would be a bike commuters dream. But median on some of our streets would go along way.
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Utah has way more wide streets than almost any city I have been in...this is relating to the downtown aspect.
I think it is one of the major reasons that the density of the high rise buildings look less impressive than they really are. The blocks are gigantic and the roads (while great for turning oxen around) just apply so much wasted space. Especially when you consider the mass transit options. You lose the center focus that a DT should have.
Of course we cannot change these historic distances but like your Chicago picture and like Park Avenue here in NYC, your admiring the North South divisions with their planting is totally a great idea. An idea that could work very well on State, Main and West Temple and beyond.
Let's face it, very soon, the downtown will adapt (my hope) a downtown sans cars. There will be so many more possible aspect ways. IE, trucks with permits that may deliver and move on. NO CARS!