Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian
I agree that people probably prefer to walk along streets that are a little less busy, but this isn't 1908. A motorist is no longer required to have someone walk ahead and warn folks of the approaching horseless carriage.
On that stretch of MacLeod, I think the sidewalk is wide enough and the street parking offers enough of a barrier that even the most timid should be able to brave the traffic.
The rub is why would one walk to that area? Other than your ubiquitous bank and Shopper's combo there's very little draw.
Let's not forget the Alpha House. At times, that place can make Suburbia's vision of the inner-city seem like a utopia. |
Macleod Trail in this section is too wide and high-speed to be an enjoyable street. Light synchronization creates blocks of 4-lane, 50km/h traffic moving at speed for minutes before the cross streets can go, creating a barrier for crossing - mentally and physically. The Macleod Trail condos are essentially on an island - with nice wide sidewalks - surrounded by a fast moving stream that cuts them off just enough from the rest of the neighbourhood to be unpleasant.
The design is fine and if they allowed longer and more on-street parking that would serve to mitigate my issues with it. It would have been huge for the area to get the on-street cycletrack, which would have provided that barrier and brought more people through the neighbourhood at a reasonable speed. Would that have been enough to spur additional retail to make the area worth it to visit? I have no idea
I suspect thing will change as Vic Park is developed and warrants greater cross-street priority to slow things down a bit. Also 12th Ave cycle-track next year along the north side of 12th will be a boon to the area to make it more welcoming.
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.. Wonder what this one will be!
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