Re: "One-year target for bus-only lanes on Douglas Street," Sept. 13.
Maybe it's time for Victoria to consider pedestrian-friendly urban design such as 16th Street in Denver.
It's a tree-lined, pedestrian promenade of red-and-grey granite that runs through the downtown and is lined with outdoor cafés, historic office buildings, glasswalled buildings, restaurants and retail stores. Numerous fountains and plazas offer a variety of places to gather and it is an attraction for special events and entertainment.
This major artery is permanently closed to vehicle traffic, other than free shuttle buses running the two-kilometre length of the mall. With extra-wide sidewalks and a pedestrian-friendly design, the 16th Street Mall serves as a focal point for businesses as well as local residents and tourists. With its shuttle-bus service, it also serves as a major peoplemover through the busiest part of town.
In short, it is a magnet that attracts people to the central business district and is a landmark in its own right. On average, 55,000 people use the shuttle every day, and studies have consistently rated the mall as the top visitor attraction in the Denver metro area.
The opportunity is there for Victoria to create something similar, even if only for the portion of Douglas Street closest to downtown.
Dave Kotorynski
Victoria
