Menino Announces Plan to Close Newbury to Cars This Summer!

Categories: car free, Menino, Newbury Street

Mar 14, 2009 06:00 am 4 Comments

It was a rare night for me, staying home and watching the 11 pm news.  People probably have already heard of this announcement, but for me it was a first.  Mayor Menino announces a plan to close Newbury Street to cars on weekends in July-August THIS summer.  A spelled-out plan will follow in a few weeks.  So interesting!  And if this plan is implemented, it's a perfect way to address my idea, but in a different way.  And it's a great start!

Some of Menino's points:

• A way to stimulate the economy?  A pedestrian street should attract more people to that street, which is of course full of businesses and restaurants.
• A lot of people walk on Newbury Street anyway, why not give them more space to relieve them of the hassles of cars?

See the report.

I was happy to hear from a majority of selected individuals that this plan would be a positive introduction to the city, but was not surprised that some opposed it (where will all the residents who regularly park on Newbury Street park??).  Of course, as with all newscasts, it's hard to tell if the majority of responses were truly representative of the majority.

Anywho, I'm pleased to see some action from the City to do something with pedestrians in mind!

What's your reaction?

-Shaina

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NinaJ
March 14, 2009 - 11:01am

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!

Eran
March 14, 2009 - 1:48pm

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.

ShainaJG
March 14, 2009 - 5:17pm

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

Eleanor
March 16, 2009 - 2:19pm

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.

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