I also have to agree that it’s a bit strange that we’re worried about creating a ‘drop-off zone.’ I thought this parking structure was going to magically encourage everyone to park and stay downtown?

I must say that I do not understand why people drop off anyone on Fifth, and that would seem only more dangerous as we move from 4 lanes to 2 in front of the library. I seem to recall this coming up before, though, and someone doing a search to find if there had been any accidents there. Apparently there was no evidence to support the theory that this is an ‘accident waiting to happen’. But my memory may be fuzzy on this, and I’m not entirely sure where I read about it… maybe it was on Arbor Update.

The current drop off on 5th is terrible because 5th is a small highway through the city; a four lane wide road with lights timed to keep traffic moving at a steady 35 to 40 mph does not mix with a pull off for library patrons (despite someone’s call for “traffic calming”). Nevertheless Library Lane will not succeed just because a 5th Street drop off is senseless. Library Lane will only succeed if it is designed and built like a real street, with new buildings that face to Library Lane that are filled with businesses giving pedestrians many reasons to be there. Anything short of that and it should be called Library Alley because that is all it would be.

I could see first floor coffee and / or sandwich shops thriving across from the library, what a perfect combination. I can see second floor professional offices and 2 story residents above those making modest four-story buildings, all taking advantage of south facing windows and street views to Library Lane. Visualize Washington between Main and Ashley, without the continuous street, and you will have an idea but it could be better than that.

I can imagine a narrow street with wide sidewalks that can accommodate seating and umbrellas, with parallel parking to protect the pedestrians which will also keep traffic going slow. If need be the street can be paved with cobbles; the bumps dissuade drivers from stomping on the gas, and the noise helps make it easier to understand the approaching vehicle and its speed.

But alas I have been through the DDA’s information, as well as the Library’s, none of this is planned. We are planning a glorified alley, call it what you want.

However, I realize that the reality of the situation is that it is too far along and is a done deal so I’ve already spent too much time on this.

Library Lane, with a variety of pedestrian-friendly features, will be a dramatic improvement.

Second, this additional street, library lane, will cause nothing but additional car/walker conflicts. People will park along both sides with flashers on as they “just run in for a second”. Also, everyone parking in the new parking garage will have to cross this street right where people turn into it from 5th.

If they are making improvements to 5th and making parking spaces by taking out a lane, create a pull-off on 5th right in front of the library if everyone is so determined to drive.

It just seems so meaningless to create a street that ends at 5th and Division and doesn’t go anywhere further.

Also necessary is a marked pedestrian crossing to Blake, which might already be on the way with other planned DDA Division Street improvements. (could we make an underground tunnel, now that everything is being dug out for the lot anyways?)