"Double-Loaded Sidewalks"

[Charles Hunter]

An interesting article from the Social Life Project ("We highlight what makes public spaces thrive, drawing from communities around the world.") about the importance of vibrant sidewalks. It includes many of things we've talked about here.

https://www.sociallifeproject.org/double-loaded-sidewalks/

We been known to respond with "It's the sidewalks, stupid!" to drive the point home that the key is starting with the sidewalks. Here are a few reasons why:

    Foot traffic is the lifeblood of every community
    Sidewalk widths make all the difference
    Thinking intentionally about the impact of streets is essential
    Communities have been destroyed by uniform storefront design standards
    Turning buildings "inside out" is important for creating an interesting public realm
    Whoever owns the intersection defines the community.

Each of those bullet points is the start of a paragraph about the topic. This comes soon after

Streets where people enjoy walking offer a sense of enclosure. This can be either because car lanes are narrow or because there are barriers between pedestrians and cars, creating a sense of separation between the people walking and traffic. This is the essence of double loading.

Double loading a sidewalk is when you put amenities or features on both sides of the pedestrian walkway, such as outdoor seating, street trees, kiosks, and dining sheds. This makes the walkway feel like a kind of "safe zone" drawing people in large numbers to gather and enjoy the stretches where everyone feels safe. This leads to a much more enjoyable, safer, and more relaxed experience than walking right alongside traffic. It turns the sidewalk from an afterthought of the street's design into the main attraction.

And the conclusion

We should support the implementation of double loading because it leads to outcomes that everyone can get behind – more comfort, safety, business activity, vibrancy, and increased foot traffic – and it is a simple and affordable solution at that. A win-win for all.

The Laura/Hogan corridor already has wider sidewalks. I don't remember what Hogan will look like after the Emerald Trail transformation, but would this concept fit either or both streets? How about the new two-way east-west streets?

[jaxlongtimer]

So many of downtown and elsewhere sidewalks are so narrow only one person can pass in places and/or two couples traveling in opposite directions can't comfortably pass. We won't even get into cracked or uneven sidewalks (women in heels watch out!)

The worst is when a telephone, street light or traffic signal pole/device, sign, tree, bench, bus stop, etc. takes up so much of the width that you have to squeeze around it.  Exhibit A is the sidewalk on Water Street between the CSX/city parking garage entry drives intersection and Pearl Street leading up to the Performing Arts Center.  If two people are passing each other near a pole, you either have to take turns or step over the curb into the street.  To add, this can also bring you uncomfortably close to a stranger meeting you along the way.

The ultimate issue in downtown is every block has a different story.  There doesn't appear to be a consistent and sensible design standard.  Just adds to the difficulties and concerns for pedestrians downtown. The real solution is to eliminate travel lanes to free up space for 12+ foot wide sidewalks with amenities.  Not holding my breath  .

Maybe downtown planners need to go to St. John's Town Center or St. George Street in St. Augustine or Centre Street in Fernandina for some inspiration.  And, I bet they didn't spend millions on studies and renderings that are still sitting on a shelf somewhere.  This isn't rocket science.  And, they wonder why more people don't hang around downtown.