Traffic
I’m kind of sick about hearing how downtown development in Stamford is going to turn the city into gridlock hell. I think the people who are making this prediction can’t see the other side because they have always lived in a car dependant environment. They can’t fathom anyone not getting into a car for every little need because that’s the way their environment is structured now.
I went home for my dad’s birthday this past weekend and noticed that my mom jumped in her car 4-5 times throughout the day to run various errands. They don’t live in Stamford, but are in suburban Fairfield County town that is similar to the CTW’s surrounding burbs. I on the other hand living in downtown Stamford can go the whole day without jumping in my car for anything if I am so inclined. I can train to work, eat at restaurants, met friends at bars, and shop at retails options from Target & the Mall on down to the bodega that sells porn & produce next to each other (I’m not endorsing buying either).
I’m under no delusion that everyone who is moving into a downtown building will abandon their cars and thrive in some carless, pedestrian utopia. These people will however be more inclined and able to walk around their neighborhood for everyday needs. Offerings in the area will also increase since downtown services & amenities and downtown housing have a symbiotic relationship. The more people who live in higher density options downtown, the more restaurants, shopping, parks, and public transportation options will be in demand and sprout up.
Even if people in the new buildings downtown are 50% car dependant day to day, that’s far less than 100% car dependant single family, suburban neighborhoods who are clogging the streets. I don’t hear anyone calling to raze Stamford’s suburbs. Understand that both parts of town will operate differently and there is room for both.
12 comments :
I agree...what are your thoughts on the "Light Rail" - article in The Advocate today?
I've blogged on it.
http://www.blogstamford.com/search?q=light+rail
I think it makes sense to do the study on it. Some are complaining about the cost, but it's basically boils down to $1 a person. We'll see what they come back with but I think it makes sense. There's a stigma to the bus that light rail doesn't have. Even if its a casual/ recreational form of travel at first, that would still be a boom to local business.
It will be real helpful for moving people in and out of Harbor Point.
Here are all our hoods:
Bulls Head
Castlewood
Cedar Heights
Newfield
Cove
Downtown
East Side
Glenbrook
Hubbard Heights
North Stamford
Roxbury
Shippan
South End
Springdale
Waterside
Westside
Westover
:lol: love it, you are funny I must say :)
seriously tho, it's not gonna really hit all those hoods, right? I'll sign a petition if so, but this is getting a bit out of control ;)
I think the trick is balancing the "if you build it, they will come" mentality with the reality on the ground for the next decade.
Transit-oriented development is a great idea: create more density near walkable amenities and public transport.
I remember going to a meeting about one of the new luxury East Side condo developments where the developer and a rep from the East Side Partnership were both claiming that the luxury condos being built where the Dunkin Donuts used to be would not add to traffic at all.
They claimed that most of the residents of the luxury condos would be taking public transport.
I'm like, um, NO. Sorry. Your average person buying a half a million dollar one bedroom condo AIN'T gettin' on the city bus, yo.
"Oh, but, there will be the new East Side train station!"
Yeah. And everyone will get free ponies, too!
Seriously, a new train station at the east side is a great idear that's more than a decade away, if ever. But no way most residents of those developments are riding the freakin' bus.
If the price of gas continues to stay at $4 and change (or increases), there will be more incentive to take public transportation.
Also, lack of convenient parking can sometimes encourage people to take the bus instead of driving. For example, the Stamford Metro North station. Ain't nearly enough parking spots there, and if you don't have someone to drop you off, then you're either hiking, biking, or taking the city bus.
If the price of gas continues to stay at $4 and change (or increases), there will be more incentive to take public transportation.
Also, lack of convenient parking can sometimes encourage people to take the bus instead of driving. For example, the Stamford Metro North station. Ain't nearly enough parking spots there, and if you don't have someone to drop you off, then you're either hiking, biking, or taking the city bus.
Having lived in NYC for many years prior to moving to Stamford, no, Stamford is a "Mini-Manhattan", and isn't even close to becoming one. If we do want downtown to become more of a walking environment there needs to be a supermarket within walking distance of all the new development. Not just bodegas and Target, but a real, full-service supermarket that patrons can walk to and from easily while carrying several bags of groceries. And there needs to be other service businesses too, like dry-cleaners, drugstores, etc. Without those types of businesses nearby, people will always need a car, & will use it even when not necessary.
Downtown needs a supermarket people can walk to, no doubt. Even a mid size independent market would work. Stamford acts like it’s enough sometimes to simply have something on the drawing board. Oh, there’s super market planned for Tresser Square, great! I’ll just roll up these architectural renderings and eat them for diner.
The DSSD retail recruitment struggles.
Rumor has it a grocery store will come to the old Baby Toy Store at the corner of Bedford & Forest.
separately, just saw a post on "Topix" where a poster suggested a subway system in Stamford...let's try to start off with the Light Rail I say.
@ sfm: also, to be even vaguely compared with Manhattan, Stamford needs to have many more 24/7 establishments.
11 Forest is advertising their space as a "prime restaurant location". That would be a decent spot though for a grocery store.
I too live in downtown Stamford, on Prospect Street, and I hear what you're saying about cars. But there's a huge hole in downtown Stamford....a grocery store!
it would be AWESOME if that old baby place on Forest were leased by a grocery store. There is no place to buy groceries in all of downtown! Target has some limited stuff, but no fresh fruits or veggies.
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