Comments on: Bloomberg, Sadik-Khan Commit to a World-Class, 21st Century Broadway http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: gray fisher http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-202701 gray fisher Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:32:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-202701 To be more accurate it's a 19th century idea. Or really just any century before the 20th century. But thats just fine, our infrastructure was far better back then. To be more accurate it’s a 19th century idea. Or really just any century before the 20th century.

But thats just fine, our infrastructure was far better back then.

]]> By: Kevin Love http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201771 Kevin Love Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:12:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201771 What's with these people in the video using the word "traffic" to mean motor vehicle traffic? Pedestrian traffic and cycle traffic is, well, traffic. What’s with these people in the video using the word “traffic” to mean motor vehicle traffic? Pedestrian traffic and cycle traffic is, well, traffic.

]]> By: Steven Vance http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201561 Steven Vance Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:02:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201561 I'm glad to hear the changes are permanent. I would like to experience it for myself. What street or streets will JSK and her Department transform next? I’m glad to hear the changes are permanent. I would like to experience it for myself.

What street or streets will JSK and her Department transform next?

]]> By: BicyclesOnly http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201481 BicyclesOnly Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:17:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201481 Like many on this blog, I've spent a lot of energy over the years fighting for principles and occasionally winning half-loaves. This is truly a rare moment--a concrete grand-slam success against all odds and "popular wisdom," coupled with an explicit vindication of the "complete streets" vision championed first by TA, then by Mark Gorton, the business community, and finally by the politicans. Nothing could be more energizing. Where do we start next? Like many on this blog, I’ve spent a lot of energy over the years fighting for principles and occasionally winning half-loaves. This is truly a rare moment–a concrete grand-slam success against all odds and “popular wisdom,” coupled with an explicit vindication of the “complete streets” vision championed first by TA, then by Mark Gorton, the business community, and finally by the politicans. Nothing could be more energizing. Where do we start next?

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201471 Urbanis Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:10:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201471 Bravo! Next steps: Completely pedestrianize Broadway from Columbus Circle to Canal Street. Bravo! Next steps: Completely pedestrianize Broadway from Columbus Circle to Canal Street.

]]> By: W. K. Lis http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201451 W. K. Lis Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:25:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201451 There was a time, cities did not have crosswalks, did not have traffic signals, did not have painted traffic lanes, etc. Streets were used by all. Gradually, the automobile took over streets just for themselves. Finally, returning to yesterday, except for the barriers. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k for how one city had it in 1904. There was a time, cities did not have crosswalks, did not have traffic signals, did not have painted traffic lanes, etc.

Streets were used by all. Gradually, the automobile took over streets just for themselves. Finally, returning to yesterday, except for the barriers.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k for how one city had it in 1904.

]]> By: T. Caine http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201351 T. Caine Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:35:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201351 Fantastic news. It is great to see that the administration continues to take such a proactive, progressive stance on walkability and urban transformation of the streetscape. Fantastic news. It is great to see that the administration continues to take such a proactive, progressive stance on walkability and urban transformation of the streetscape.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201301 Glenn Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:32:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201301 For those that want to ask Sen. Liz Krueger what she really thinks of the pedestrian plaza, they can call her office at 212-490-9535 or email her at liz@lizkrueger.com. I think it's best to fight this point now before other electeds join in with their whining and complaining. For those that want to ask Sen. Liz Krueger what she really thinks of the pedestrian plaza, they can call her office at 212-490-9535 or email her at liz@lizkrueger.com. I think it’s best to fight this point now before other electeds join in with their whining and complaining.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201291 Glenn Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:29:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201291 In the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/nyregion/12broadway.html?src=twt&twt=nytimes" rel="nofollow">NY Times article</a> this morning, it quoted Liz Krueger (who is usually very good on environmental issues) and Bill deBlasio arguing a few points on process. Seems pretty BS to me. It shows how rare a leader Bloomberg is that shows real bold leadership on an issue while other elected officials just whine and complain about everything under the sun. Pathetic. BOOO! No money to Sen. Krueger's re-election campaign until she says that she wholeheartedly supports the Times Square pedestrian plaza. In the NY Times article this morning, it quoted Liz Krueger (who is usually very good on environmental issues) and Bill deBlasio arguing a few points on process. Seems pretty BS to me. It shows how rare a leader Bloomberg is that shows real bold leadership on an issue while other elected officials just whine and complain about everything under the sun. Pathetic. BOOO!

No money to Sen. Krueger’s re-election campaign until she says that she wholeheartedly supports the Times Square pedestrian plaza.

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201281 gecko Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:57:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201281 The human capital of this city is by far its most important asset and must be considered above everything else. The human capital of this city is by far its most important asset and must be considered above everything else.

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201271 gecko Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:49:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201271 Great news and a vision of the future. Great news and a vision of the future.

]]> By: Eric Britton http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201261 Eric Britton Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:42:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201261 From a World Streets perspective here at, what is most notable about this accomplishment is not only the thing that you are realizing, the result, but perhaps ever more important the process behind it all. And the fact that behind this process has been a consortium consisting of several hundreds groups of all stripes and very different points of view concerning the detail, and, I would guess, something not far from ten thousand individual citizens who get it, namely that streets are not roads, that they are for people –not for and above all for vehicles. What we would much like now would be for someone out there who is in the know to take the time to write up this process in a few readable pages from a critical and independent perspective (no more snow needed these days), so that the world can learn from this great example. Volunteers, Eric Britton www.WorldStreets.org PS. Read World Streets. It's the spinach of sustainable transport From a World Streets perspective here at, what is most notable about this accomplishment is not only the thing that you are realizing, the result, but perhaps ever more important the process behind it all. And the fact that behind this process has been a consortium consisting of several hundreds groups of all stripes and very different points of view concerning the detail, and, I would guess, something not far from ten thousand individual citizens who get it, namely that streets are not roads, that they are for people –not for and above all for vehicles.

What we would much like now would be for someone out there who is in the know to take the time to write up this process in a few readable pages from a critical and independent perspective (no more snow needed these days), so that the world can learn from this great example.

Volunteers,

Eric Britton
http://www.WorldStreets.org

PS. Read World Streets. It’s the spinach of sustainable transport

]]> By: Me http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201241 Me Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:36:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201241 Why couldn't the Bloomberg administration frame the conversion as a matter of pedestrian safety and quality of experience, wait one week, declare the project a roaring success and tell the whining auto lobby/motorists to generally go f*** themselves? Why couldn’t the Bloomberg administration frame the conversion as a matter of pedestrian safety and quality of experience, wait one week, declare the project a roaring success and tell the whining auto lobby/motorists to generally go f*** themselves?

]]> By: Joby http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201231 Joby Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:58:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201231 @jass I suspect that most of these reporters don't even live in the 5 boroughs and drive to work. Thus the obsession. @jass
I suspect that most of these reporters don’t even live in the 5 boroughs and drive to work. Thus the obsession.

]]> By: Corvus http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201221 Corvus Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:48:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201221 BTW - Anyone interested in drafting JSK for Mayor in 2013? BTW – Anyone interested in drafting JSK for Mayor in 2013?

]]> By: jass http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201211 jass Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:46:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201211 @Ross, Boomberg isn't just kicking Villaraigosa's ass, he's given a through beating to every mayor in america. Most mayors would hesitate to even suggest a street be closed one Sunday a year to vehicles, never mind improve an icon like Broadway. I am thrilled that Bloomberg was able to see past "moving cars" as the prime purpose of streets. And as this pointed out: "At one point, the prevalence of reporters’ questions about traffic prompted Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins to step up to the microphone." How about we get some reporters that aren't so blinded by the idea that traffic is the only thing that matters? How many of their readers are reading the paper in the subway or on metro north? @Ross, Boomberg isn’t just kicking Villaraigosa’s ass, he’s given a through beating to every mayor in america. Most mayors would hesitate to even suggest a street be closed one Sunday a year to vehicles, never mind improve an icon like Broadway.

I am thrilled that Bloomberg was able to see past “moving cars” as the prime purpose of streets.

And as this pointed out:

“At one point, the prevalence of reporters’ questions about traffic prompted Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins to step up to the microphone.”

How about we get some reporters that aren’t so blinded by the idea that traffic is the only thing that matters? How many of their readers are reading the paper in the subway or on metro north?

]]> By: Corvus http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201201 Corvus Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:46:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201201 THIS is why I voted for Bloomberg this time around. THIS is why I voted for Bloomberg this time around.

]]> By: Joby http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201191 Joby Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:27:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201191 This is great news! Any one know if this will be expanded to the rest of Broadway (well at least the Manhattan part)? Or what streets/nabes JSK & Co are thinking of expanding this to? This is great news!
Any one know if this will be expanded to the rest of Broadway (well at least the Manhattan part)? Or what streets/nabes JSK & Co are thinking of expanding this to?

]]> By: JohnBike http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201161 JohnBike Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:19:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201161 Excellent new! More power to NYC and all cities as they strive to accommodate pedestrians. They're changing the roads, now if they can change the laws and law enforcement so that pedestrians are given the rights that they deserve. Excellent new! More power to NYC and all cities as they strive to accommodate pedestrians. They’re changing the roads, now if they can change the laws and law enforcement so that pedestrians are given the rights that they deserve.

]]> By: Michael Replogle http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/02/11/bloomberg-sadik-khan-commit-to-a-world-class-21st-century-broadway/comment-page-1/#comment-201141 Michael Replogle Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:09:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=147631#comment-201141 Kudos to Mayor Bloomberg, to Jannette Sadik-Kahn, to Tim Hopkins, and all those who have made this a success. Americans will look back several decades from now and see this as a watershed moment, a mark of returning wisdom in the management of our nation's urban streets. Kudos to Mayor Bloomberg, to Jannette Sadik-Kahn, to Tim Hopkins, and all those who have made this a success. Americans will look back several decades from now and see this as a watershed moment, a mark of returning wisdom in the management of our nation’s urban streets.

]]>