The city used to do this about 10-15 years ago - maybe only on Sundays in the summer. Not sure why they stopped. On occasion there was also some on-street entertainment. I loved it!

Hey Shaina - this could strengthen both of our projects :-) I'm looking into it as well, can't really tell how serious the obstacles are at this point. There will always be those who gain and those who lose from something like this, and I hope there are more of the former. But we have to keep in mind the non-personalized gains as well - the indirect benefits to the city, its image, its vibrancy, its air, and the overall environment. Those are very hard to quantify, but without them we are nothing. We need to fight for them.

I agree, Eran! And NinaJ, Cambridge closes Memorial Drive every Sunday during summer months. I'm fighting for this idea!

I am so excited to hear about this! I love walking down Newbury Street in the summer, but two things have always bothered me: 1) The amount of people crammed onto the sidewalks ('cause come on, everyone wants to be on Newbury St when it's nice out) and 2) car noise and exhaust. 

I think Boston will feel greener having the street pedestrian-only. The idea reminds me of so many European towns and cities I've visited where you see way more people than cars!  We will all breath just a little easier now.