HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-19 Public Comment - J. Rassi - Downtown Bozeman Improvement PlanFrom: Josh Rassi
To: Agenda
Subject: Downtown Plan Public Comment- no vehicular traffic on Main Street downtown
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 11:56:35 AM
To Whom It May Concern,
Hello and thanks for the opportunity to be heard! As a year round biker/ commuter I am excited that new bike
routes/ paths are being considered in the downtown area. I believe that many people avoid going downtown due to
the difficulty of access in ways besides motor vehicles. That being said, it is my hope that the committee considers
closing all of Main Street in the downtown area (between Grand & Rouse) to all vehicular traffic. I believe that this
would have large positive economic & social impacts on the greater downtown area. If Mendenhall & Babcock
were updated/ widened and additional parking areas provided for, I would think this possible. I would still propose
creating bike lanes to approach downtown before allowing some type of bike lane through Main Street in this area.
Main Street would be converted to largely walking/ pedestrian space with benches, art, natural landscapes, etc.
Downtown festivals could increase in number without the headache of re-directing traffic. I have been to several
mid-size cities where this has occurred with phenomenal results and a much improved sense of community (and at a
slower pace!). Charlottesville, Virginia, another university community quickly comes to mind as does our very own
MSU’s campus removing the road that used to run directly west and east through the heart of campus. I hope this
option is considered as we think of creative ways to use space into the 21st and allow people to step away from such
dependencies on motor vehicles and improve the beauty of our manmade physical spaces.
Thank you for your time,
Josh Rassi