READERS RESPOND

Closing Main Street OK if done right

I think the question should be not “What would happen if Main Street

were closed to traffic?” but “What can be done to create a ‘win-win’

situation for businesses, residents, and tourists by eliminating

storefront parking on Main Street?”

The main drawback in eliminating storefront parking is the negative

effect on Main Street businesses as far as convenience goes. To close

Main Street in the Downtown area would require solutions to offset the

inconvenience of parking in outlying lots and walking (not to mention

carrying purchases back to the car).

I propose an ambitious project to deal with this problem, and to add

some pizazz to the Downtown area for both residents and tourists.

Purchase a fleet (no more than eight to 10) of electric shuttles to link

outlying parking lots (say four to start) with the Downtown area.

Eliminate motor vehicle traffic except for the shuttles. Color code

the parking lots and shuttles so patrons will know which shuttle to take

back to their lot. Work out a schedule that would have shuttles running

every 20 minutes or so to and from the lots. Shuttles have proved

effective everywhere from Disneyland to the Laguna Art Festival. It would

add something special and even draw customers to the Downtown shopping

area.

Creating a bike enclosure for safely parking bikes would also

eliminate this hazardous traffic and storefront obstruction.

Closing Main Street to auto traffic is only a good idea if the

solutions are sound and add more than they take away.

TIM GEDDES

Huntington Beach

It’s about time for change in Downtown

Congratulations to the City Council.

Huntington Beach has been my residence for the last 22 enjoyable

years. I even have “HB” referenced on my license plate! My initial

reaction was “What took you so long?” This is something that should have

been done years ago with the upgrading of the pier area.

A significant pedestrian area is exactly what is needed on Main

Street. I believe it will attract more people to the area and help the

local businesses.

However, it is essential that an adequate parking structure be

tastefully constructed to support the pier-head area to make this a

successful project.

ANTHONY E. SMITH

Huntington Beach

Easier parking just makes sense

I have been touting the closure of the first two blocks of Main Street

since 1993. I had the pleasure of visiting the Pearl Street Mall in

Boulder, Colo. and later the walking mall in Santa Monica. The parking

problems in the area could be alleviated with a parking structure on 5th

Street. Lower the parking fees and eliminate feeding the parking meters

after 6 p.m. Long Beach has free parking in the Downtown area near Pine

Street. Make parking easier and people will come to shop.

TOM WOOD

Fountain Valley

A leisurely walk would be welcomed

I think closing Main Street to vehicular traffic, at least for three

blocks from Pacific Coast Highway, is a marvelous idea. I would probably

go down more often, especially to the restaurants, if I knew I could walk

leisurely through the area without dodging vehicles.

Go for it.

EMMA WILLSEY

Huntington Beach

Don’t forget the bikes

I completely agree with the closing of Main Street, but I would still

like it to be open to bicycle traffic.

ANN SMITH

Huntington Beach

Closing Main Street a victory for all

Closing Main Street is a “win, win” situation for Downtown, retail and

the locals; locals avoid Downtown because of the metered parking.

Make Downtown a retail destination by closing a portion of Main

Street. Everyone will prosper in the end.

LYNN FILLMAN

Huntington Beach