It's time to talk The BLVD.

[Adam Chant]

I spend a lot of time on the BLVD these days. I co-host a weekend Ustream poscast on socialnomics 101  at the BLVD today Cafe, my wife and I own a (soon to be open) Vintage Clothing store on the BLVD, our extended family owns Caramel Pastries, and we just enjoy spending time on the BLVD. The two biggest complaints I hear day in and day out are that the traffic is terrible and parking is a nightmare. Well think about this from both sides of the coin; more people are visiting the BLVD, but the City still has some work to do.

Rather than just bitlog (bitch + Blog )about I have a 10 suggestions that may help ease some of the frustrations.

1. Post signs on all streets entering and exiting the BLVD that it is closed to through traffic.
- a. This way when people see the signs they will be compelled to react like they are in a parking lot and not a city street.

2. Add signs on and around the BLVD that point out all public parking lots.
- a. Every "downtown" epicenter has public parking signs all over the place so drivers know where to park.
- b. Including signs on side streets that designate "PUBLIC PARKING"
- c. Make them Big Large and In Charge not black on white public notice signs

3. Get all BLVD business owners to remove any "PRIVATE/CUSTOMER" parking signage.
- a. Some businesses in and around LPAC are very territorial about parking and it puts customers off.

4. Lock in a parking structure agreement and make it publicly known.
- a. Everyone may be more willing to deal with parking issues today knowing a better solution is just around the corner. (I have heard rumor that a structure is in the plans, but when?)
- b. Tell us in months not the year. People stopped counting in 2000 so if you say 2012 or 2013 that sounds like forever, just say "14-16 months".

5. Market the BLVD as a single destination like a mall or open air promenade.
- a. Once the public understands that the downtown district is a park-and-walk destination the parking issues will be a non issue.
- b. Visually overlay the AV Mall on the BLVD and it's easy to see that the overall walk is about the same from vehicle to store. (Especially during busy times)

6. Close the BLVD to vehicle traffic on the weekends.
- a. When it's busiest for pedestrian and vehicle traffic it would prevent any incidents by only allowing pedestrian traffic.
- b. Then kiosk vendors, musical entertainment and the community can fill the streets  between businesses.
- c. Car show vehicles could also be the only traffic, especially on a Friday night.
- - a. Light up the BLVD, open up the stores, and let the classics cruise the BLVD.
- d. Add equestrian and green powered taxi's for people who want to go from one end to the other.
- - a. Horse drawn carriages (open for Budweiser and closed for Wells Fargo)
- - b. All electric shuttle vehicle that goes up and down the BLVD stopping at a few places along each side.
- - c. Officer patrols on Electric scooters and horses during busy times.

7. Assign multiple foot patrol officers to the BLVD.
- a. The AV Mall does exceptionally well at controlling the flow of minors by always being alert to gathering crowds and mischief.
- b. Even if they are off duty officers having someone stop in a business to say "hi" especially during the later evening hours is VERY comforting for both the public and businesses.
- c. A foot patrol officer can flag down a speeding  motorist and at least issue a verbal warning.
- d. Increased presence by police decreases the presence of criminals and graffiti.

8. Increase the number of LED speed limit displays and/or add signage and video cameras that designate that all traffic is monitored by closed circuit T.V.
- a. Radar signs are expensive, but video camera signs are not. It's been shown that the mere presence of a sign is enough to control traffic.(Speed Checked by Radar..)
- b. Cardboard cut outs or mannequins of people entering the street or police officers are known to effectively control traffic.

9. NO SPEED BUMPS. Under no circumstances should speed bumps be considered for controlling traffic on the BLVD.
 - a. They are destructive to vehicles, make it harder to drive slower and will prevent most custom car/ classic cars from ever driving down the BLVD.

10. Add flashing yellow lights to every intersection so that all directions know to proceed with caution.
- a. Foot Patrol officers should be trained and authorized to asses possible road blocks and control traffic to clear them up. More than a few times I have seen the cross traffic freak out over the street and back up traffic all together. A traffic officer with a whistle and white gloves could have solved this kind of matter in 1/2 the time it took 5 people (all making independent decisions) to.

[Savethetoys]

Hey there, I also hear a lot of older people, my parents generation and friends of theres, long time residents, complain about the intersection most of all with Wells Fargo and Chase and trying to get across it to go their banks. I try to encourage people to go in different routes, the back side streets. I also have had people on my tail when Im doing the 15mph speed limit, on 2 ocassions Ive had people speed around and pass me in the parking lanes! Ack! I drive the blvd several times a day regularly so I see it early AM (which is often the worst time for the speeding ) midday and eves. I think a greater police presence could help. A lot of people dont understand how it works, who yields or stops, the middle lines, etc, Im in cars with older friends and often teaching them when they have the right away and how to proceed, not sure how to get "Directions" out on how to drive the blvd. The old Blvd is a thing of the past, and some are just resistant to change, I often tell people its meant to be like any other promenade or street, when you go to other places, but a lot of them do have stop lights some of the way down. Im personally thrilled with everything going on. But I also hear the complaints too.

[Adam Chant]

Thank you,

And it's nice to see that Sweetwater Carriage Co. may be offering rides on the BLVD soon... I actually had no idea that was going to happen when I posted this.. awesome!

[Sweetwater Carriage Co. 902-9892]

I aggree with all above comments

[Jim Greenleaf 310.218.2714]

Great job! will repost everwhere!

[Graphic Experience 945.1718]

Adam, I love ALL of your ideas!! Terrific blog!!

[Chuck Linn]

Adam great blog. I have been to some lancaster meetings and they talked about some of the things you talk about. THey are discussing someof the items. You might watch what the city plannners and council have on their agendas and you can always talk to them about those items . Speed bumps wont happen fire department wont go with that plan...

[Benjamin Andrews]

Great Blog Adam! We'll share this with the the right people : ) (i.e. everyone)

[Adam Chant]

sorry about the formatting the site is ignoring HTML elements so I can't make it look like I want.