Friday, June 26, 2009

Imagine, a Car-Free Sunday in Hillsdale!

I'm investigating what it would take to close a block of SW Capitol Highway in Hillsdale to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 25, 2010.

Note: that's 13 months from now, the date of next year's Hillsdale Pancake Breakfast and Hillsdale Community Foundation Book Sale. I envision moving the Hillsdale Farmers' Market to the middle of the road.

Imagine that!

We'd divert westbound traffic up Sunset to Dosch and on its merry way to Raleigh Hills on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway or on up 30th to Multnomah Village. Reverse it coming east.

I've written about the idea in the current issue of the Hillsdale News in the commentary section.

Now my friend Daniel Ronan has alerted me to the Portland Bureau of Transportation's support for street closures (actually closures of streets in entire neighborhoods). Go here to find out more.

This could be easier than I thought. I'm already getting support from people who've done this elsewhere.

Your thoughts?

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4 Comments:

Blogger ALT said...

You'd have to close SW 18th to BH Hwy as well or else those folks will not like it.

12:23 PM  
Blogger Rick Seifert said...

Absolutely. "Local Access Only" signs will be needed. Also on several other "cut through" neighborhood streets, including Martha and Boundary.

4:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice idea. I live in the area, too. Just post the dates on a street banner in advance and have good signage so those not interested can easily plan their detour or those visiting the event from outside the local area have access to parking. People seem to like these community events. It's sort of ironic how folks will drive to them, however.

12:19 PM  
Anonymous Dave said...

I do not see the logic in moves like this. Why on earth block the road that handles most of the traffic in the area and force it onto neighborhood streets were residents (and the streets themselves) are unprepared for the move?

I live on the coast, and every little burg that has a parade chooses to hold the event on Highway 101, sending everything from log trucks and RV's to rubber-necking tourists onto the back streets.

My question to them - and by extension to the promoters of the Hillsdale event - wouldn't it make more sense to hold any event on the secondary street and leave the primary for its intended use?

Impeding traffic in any way is not a great way to promote your community. The negative experience outweighs the positive IMHO.

11:11 AM  

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