Regarding the downtown bypass plans. The good news about the
bypass is that pedestrians will again be able to reclaim our
downtown because it will no longer be Highway 25 with its
prohibitions of pedestrian crossings. Pedestrian crossings would
make downtown very friendly without narrowing San Benito
Street.
Regarding the downtown bypass plans. The good news about the bypass is that pedestrians will again be able to reclaim our downtown because it will no longer be Highway 25 with its prohibitions of pedestrian crossings. Pedestrian crossings would make downtown very friendly without narrowing San Benito Street.
The down side, of course, as you pointed out, is that downtown will no longer be quite as accessible. In other words, it will be cut off from convenient access.
To maintain downtown accessibility, it is necessary to keep McCray Street open to Sunnyslope as it is now. That way McCray Street functions as a needed artery between both ends of town.
To avoid a possible five-way intersection at Sunnyslope, McCray, Airline and Tres Pinos, a better intersection for the bypass would be at Union Road.
Another way to help maintain downtown viability would be to allow denser downtown residential living where residents could walk or bicycle to their jobs, shopping, entertainment, employment or classes.
Lastly, disallow big retailers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. These retailers accomplish the opposite of maintaining a viable historic downtown, the kind we wish to keep.
Mary Zanger, Hollister
