An editorial suggests that reintroducing cars in downtown Boston would herald the return of businesses in the area.
"Shoppers might appreciate contained environments like Faneuil Market. But once they step onto the urban grid, they expect movement and action. Urban planners are discovering that shopping districts thrive on the friction between pedestrians and autos. Merchants want to be discovered by passing motorists. Pedestrians appreciate the sense of safety offered by car headlights at night. Too much space, it turns out, can be worse than too little. Downtown Crossing's open turf provides too many congregating points for vagrants. The reintroduction of automobiles could restore the natural urban balance where space is precious."
Thanks to Brenda Meyer
FULL STORY: Driving downtown

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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