Sidewalk stress
There’s a limit to how much “activity” downtown sidewalks can stand.
City commissioners were right to take a little time for reflection before approving new uses for the sidewalks in downtown Lawrence.
Facing a request to expand the use of sidewalk space for patrons of downtown drinking establishments, commissioners were asked to consider the next logical step for sidewalk commerce. Once every downtown bar and restaurant has expanded into the sidewalk, a board member of Downtown Lawrence Inc. told commissioners, it’s only natural that retailers will want to do the same.
Several commissioners liked the idea of allowing retailers to place merchandise on their sidewalks, saying it would add vitality to downtown and invite more shoppers to go into stores. That’s a desirable goal, but there’s a limit to how much “activity” downtown sidewalks can take while still serving their primary mission of moving pedestrians through the area.
Many Lawrence officials and residents are concerned about the loss of retail businesses in downtown so it makes sense to provide those businesses at least the same opportunity that bars and restaurants have to use sidewalk space. However, reasonable limits on those uses need to be established and enforced.
Pedestrian traffic already is constricted around numerous sidewalk dining areas. A few racks of merchandise could be an attractive enticement to downtown shoppers, but adding too many obstacles on downtown sidewalks could dampen pedestrians’ enthusiasm for a stroll down Massachusetts Street.