Streetlife Quandary

 The predicament of that thing called streetlife. Having people on the street makes a place lively, safe, and overall fun. Yet in the automotive world we would rather enjoy the sustaining 68 degrees in our car; or the perceived short walk to the store, if the parking lot is in the front of the building. This, in turn, kills streetlife and makes a 'place' dead.

It reminds me of the commercial area near my college campus. While only two blocks long I had a place to get groceries, toiletries, alcohol, fiveish bars, two coffee shops, and four restaurants. This in turn brought people out, and I could sustain myself for the week. At the same time it felt safe. So safe in fact that during my Grad School there were five shooting deaths on campus. This was s tragedy for such a small city and university. So much so that the police stepped up patrols, undercut underage drinking, and began raiding all kinds of house parties. In fact, there were several reports of attempted armed robbery to pedestrians. It all sounds scary. But the student bodies response? Police Yourselves! Yes, a mockery to the law enforcement, but at the same time nightlife almost increased. With the eradication of frat houses and house parties, more people would come to the Village for the night. This included several attempts by the coffee shops to host all age events (because bars can’t allow entrance to under 21). So while crime was seemingly on the rise, the streetlife only got better.

Now the Munice “strip” isn’t attractive. It’s actually downright ugly. The buildings are plain and simple (if not falling apart). Absolutely no public investment to the streetscape, unless you count the banner that Ball State placed where the strip meets the campus. But two of the ugliest parking lots sat in this area. So, I don’t think it counted.

Why was the streetlife so great? While people are so fixated on looks, that’s not what eventually puts people on the street. It’s substance. That’s why all the Asian markets are full; and Time Square functions. I agree that the public needs to invest in the infrastructure. But people on the road amplifies more people to the road. It’s not the look. It’s not crime. It’s the people.

Take Government Street in Baton Rouge. Residence says they love the area and want it to survive. Yet complain that crime is too high and the City hasn’t invested in sidewalks, roads, signals, etc. While I agree with all of that, those are the minor problems. The biggest problem is that people refuse to partake. Within a half mile of me are numerous supermarkets, drugstores, restaurants, bars, schools, a gym, and coffee shop. My walk score is an urban Mecca. What’s it missing? The people!