phantom tollbooths in Davis Sq. ...

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

apropos of nothing and not a serious proposal but I was thinking about sales taxes last night, the discussion of tolls on 93 south and something to do with all the border violence going on in the world these days. Suddenly I had this image of tollbooths/checkpoints on the roads entering Davis Sq. Weird but interesting to speculate on.

The growth in popularity of the sq. has brought higher rents and housing prices, higher prices in stores and bars and general gentrification. The city of Somerville and the property owners benefit but the residents don't. Would be interesting to have a toll that went to offset the costs of gentrification to people who actually live here.

Comments

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

There are plenty of people who don't drive. But giving up the car not acceptable for a large number of people, and this is the reality that I think you're missing. You cannot make all the cars go away by wishing, or by explaining to people that they're not civic minded or suited to city living and need to go away or find new jobs. Besides being arrogant and offensive, it doesn't work as a way to institute social policy.

So basically your answer to "what about this specific objection to a proposed change" is "in an ideal world, that is not a problem" or even "Sucks to be you!"?

If you block traffic to davis, the traffic will go through powderhouse, teele, porter. It will back up, because the capacity isn't there. Residents who drive will hate you; people who currently drive to davis to give davis money won't; residents who live on streets that happen to be through streets will have their neighborhoods destroyed; emergency vehicles will be unable to get through.

Wise urban change is not sudden or ill-planned.

[artic-monkeys.livejournal.com]

The destination for 80% of the cars in Davis traffic is Davis square. They are not trying to go through it or around it but to it. They are either going to some place in Davis or they are going to park and ride the T from Davis. If they can't and don't drive to Davis Square most of the traffic goes away. The traffic you are talking about will actually benefit.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Source for that statistic?

[artic-monkeys.livejournal.com]

I am really just guessing on that one. My thoughts being that People looking for parking drive around a few times before they find a spot and the whole square is easy to avoid if you don't need to go to it. Most people who need to drive through it live nearby right? It is not a direct route in and out of boston cambridge like Mass ave. is. The only time I drive through it is when I am going to the parking permit place or to some place in the square. What are others finding?

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I've certainly driven and especially biked through it (I bike a lot more than I drive) on my way to somewhere else, just because I happen to know those streets a lot better than any of the alternate routes, which is why I'd like to see a source before I buy that statistic.

[artic-monkeys.livejournal.com]

where do you live?

I'm sorry I'm not being clear here...

[turil.livejournal.com]

I want you to be happy where you are, and it sounds like you aren't happy in the city, and that your desire to commute by car is interfering with the community's best interests for thriving, accessable, and safe streets. I don't want it to suck to be you, but it sounds like it does. Maybe I'm not understaning you correctly when I get that impression?

I'm just saying that if your car is a priority to your life, then maybe you might be happier living in an area where the car is more appropriate and practical?