What if a street decided to go car-free?

Dear Mayor,

On behalf of the residents of X Avenue, I hereby formally request we be allowed to permitted to pedestrianize our street to restore the street for use by the community rather than cars. We specifically wish to limit the use of our street to pedestrians, cyclists, emergency vehicles, motorized access for disabled persons, and deliveries. We wish to eliminate all other private auto traffic and ban any parking on the street. Though some of us will initially maintain vehicles on our private property for occasional use, our long-term goal is to eliminate vehicle ownership and prohibit it using a special zoning designation. Residents of the street will transition to use of car-share programs or no car at all. We request that the city make a minor financial contribution to this important step in improving our neighborhood. Specifically we desire that the city install official signs designating the street to be pedestrianized and install obstructions that discourage casual vehicle use (the details of which may be discussed later.) We also request that the city contribute equipment to remove the asphalt from the street. We will replace the asphalt with attractive paving elements and greenery at our own expense. This signals our commitment to improving and maintaining our street as neighbors, which we think is the correct model for all neighborhood streets. We will naturally conform with safety and accessibility standards, and we will proceed only once our plans are approved. This may also be an appropriate opportunity for the city to bury our utility lines, for which we will share in the expense.

The goal of this innovative project is to strengthen our neighborhood and community by creating a safe and beautiful public space in which children and adults may loiter without fear of automobiles. Other benefits include removal of impervious surface, new trees, and a subsequent increase in our properties values, which will directly benefit the city via property taxes. Our broader goal is to create the beginning of a new network of carfree streets that are desirable to pedestrians, cyclists, and resdents. In conjunction with our efforts, we expect the city to invest substantially in transit improvements--especially streetcar service along our busiest streets. Toward this goal we will gladly pay assessment fees that reflect the value added to our neighborhood by the new transit service.

We look forward to hearing from your office about our plan at your earliest convenience. Please contact our neighborhood liaison X listed below. She will follow up with a visit to you office in two weeks time if she has not hear back from you.

Sincerely, the property owners of X Avenue

Dorothy Smith, Neighborhood Liason, owner 22 X Avenue

555-555-5555
dorothy@smith.fam

Ken and Maria Buckles, owners 41 X Avenue


Sally Worthm owner of 29 X Avenue

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