Susan McLain: Want more shoppers downtown? Then make streets safer
Re “Modesto’s J Street: Major thoroughfare or destination?” (Front page, Nov. 12): A proposal to make J Street a destination rather than a street is intended to attract more shoppers downtown. The problem is, we still have empty businesses downtown. Perhaps a wiser plan would be to begin by attracting new small-business investment.
The real issue with this proposal in our downtown area is that it will exacerbate the problem the City Council won’t talk about. H Street, I Street and G Street are currently used as freeways for speeding cars – a hazard to pedestrians. I have circulated a petition at all three senior communities in the downtown area and our Senior Center. I have heard horror stories from seniors about nearly getting run down, being targets of obscenities and victims of rage. Others have been hit, one driver causing broken bones and subsequent pneumonia.
Other have fallen in the road, frightened by sudden speeding vehicles that do not stop or slow down. We cannot safely cross for the library or farmer’s market.
Narrowing J Street will only make traffic on alternative thoroughfares more treacherous. Downtown is not ready for the desired Livermore gentrification. Where is this coming from?
Susan McLain, Modesto
This story was originally published November 14, 2017 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Susan McLain: Want more shoppers downtown? Then make streets safer."