Citation

Dimond C. Am. City Cty. 1998; 113(8): 7 p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Penton Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nationwide, cities are emphasizing access and aesthetics in projects designed to energize their downtowns and link citizens to new districts. In Lafayette, Indiana, the 1902 Big Four Depot had served as an active railroad station for 70 years prior to its closing. Amtrak tracks running down the middle of a central city street were relocated and the depot was moved four blocks to a spot adjacent to the Wabash River near the heart of the city's downtown. In 1996, the restoration was complete, and today the depot provides rail, intercity, and local bus service for more than 7,000 passengers per week. It also serves as the crossroads for pedestrian traffic traversing the historic John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, which joins Lafayette to West Lafayette. In Glendale, Wisconsin, officials are creating a similar draw by implementing a new streetscape plan that incorporates pedestrian-friendly, unifying elements. Waco, Texas, is using the streetscape concept to update its image citywide and create an environment that offers downtown visitors easy access to an already-developed retail and entertainment base. In Boston, Massachusetts, officials are taking the pedestrian-friendly concept and extending it beyond the downtown perimeter to connect urban districts with some of the city's nearby natural resources.