A 2006 study of a Manhattan street (PDF) showed that, in fact, local businesses would benefit if parking was removed so that sidewalks could be widened. [Spacing.ca]
I’ve often thought about this for Corydon, here in Winnipeg – its the area where I live, and one of the city’s gastro-vino-sushi-chic districts. In the summer, the sidewalks are standing-room only, the traffic is terrible, and cars packed-in along both sides of the avenue take away from the sidewalk strolling experience. The crush of people also makes the area impassable to bicycles as the narrow lanes squeeze out riders and create an ideal “door prize” environment.
So – why not clobber the parking lane, expand the sidewalks, add useable bike lanes, plant some more trees, and let the local businesses expand their patios? The study referenced above suggests that both communities & businesses would benefit.
I imagine the volume of cars parked along Corydon is a small percentage of the area’s customer base (5%?) anyway, though that’s anecdotal. If parking is such an issue, there are a number of spots where a Forks-style neighborhood parkade would fit nicely.
Regardless, Corydon is one of Winnipeg’s summer evening jewels, and some forward-thinking urban planning could make it even better.
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