Quote:
Originally Posted by NetMapel
I think I might have a bit of a slightly different focus on what makes a “complete” street. What you said is true and I just want to add that Commercial Drive is too car-centric to be that. Get rid of the road side parking first and enlarge the sidewalks. It’s ultimately a 6 lanes road with some “parklets” and is not comfortable to walk along never mind bike along.
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I said it's a complete
high street - as in, it fully serves as the commercial & social focal point of the neighbourhood. It has all of the businesses, services, and community & social spaces needed to allow to for daily life to be conducted on foot - without needing to leave the neighbourhood. Within a 5 minute walk of my apartment I've got multiple grocers, pharmacies, bakeries, butchers, liquor stores, banks, post office, weed shops, barbers, hardware stores, clothing stores, restaurants, bars, cafes, venues, community centre, parks, and so on. If Commercial doesn't fit the bill for being a fully-equipped high street, then where else in Vancouver does?
Taking away a lane of traffic to widen the sidewalks & add a bike lane would definitely be a big improvement in improving the public realm, but doesn't change the fundamental purpose of the street. Also, north of 1st Ave (which is the best part of the street) it's 2 lanes of traffic with a parking/patio lane.