this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2023
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Ann Arbor

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Having a permanent pedestrian mall downtown would be great, but this seems like an odd block to do it. Makes more sense to close off the same blocks as we do during the summer weekends.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yeah, in the article, one official who was skeptical actually makes a good point, that such closures work best when the businesses on that block are engaged, and that none of the businesses on that block of Liberty are open in the evening. Another official (who had doubts) suggested focusing on making the Main street closures permanent.

So it looks like there's a strong positive feeling for road closures, but it's just a question of where, and how to make them work best.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Agreed, the worst thing would be for them to close this, it do poorly, and it kills support for other closures

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Exactly why I think it’s an odd block to choose.

If ircc, during the city council meeting they were discussing that the federal government is going to redo this space regardless, so might as well ensure that there is city input. It’s already dead space, hopefully the city can make much better use of it and extend the pedestrian mall all along Liberty.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Agreed. I’d rather they close off Main Street. They do it often enough, especially in the summer, and people really enjoy it. I know the article mentions that some of the businesses don’t want it, but it seems that they could figure out truck access and have more space outside for their patrons.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

That could be interesting, given the proximity to the Blake Transit Center and the AADL. It would be nice if it extended up and down Liberty, there’s a lot more on the block east and west. A pedestrian mall from Main to State would be amazing.