Brian Slattery Photo
On9: Humans. No vehicles.
Caroline Smith has an idea for reinvigorating semi-deserted stretches of Orange Street: clear it of moving vehicles.
Smith offered that idea during a conversation on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven” program that touched on the continuing failure of businesses, and renewed efforts to upgrade and revive buildings, along Orange Street and nearby on Court.
“What if we close a large portion of Orange Street and make it a walkway and pathway” the way Yale is doing with Wall and High Streets, she asked.
Paul Bass Photo
“One CIty” machers Anstress Farwell, Caroline Smith, Kim Harris, Lisa Milone at WNHH FM.
Smith approaches the issue from two perspectives: As the chair of the Downtown/Wooster Square Community Management Team. And as a longtime “safe streets” and bicycling organizer, including serving as a driving force behind New Haven Bike Month.
She recommended closing Orange between Elm and Crown, with cars being able to cross Orange at Chapel. She said she got the idea from seeing the success that “On9” Fridays and similar events have had in drawing diverse crowds of people onto Orange by closing it off.
“When you close down a street, make it more walkable, make it more bikable, it provides economic vitality for the businesses of that street,” Smith argued.
Her idea drew praise from fellow community management team members who appeared with her on the “Dateline” episode.
“Great idea,” said East Shore management team leader Lisa Milone — even though she drives to work every day at the 200 Orange St. municipal office building between Elm and Court.
“I don’t park close anyway. There’s no parking,” Milone said. “What parking is there is crazy expensive.” So she parks in Wooster Square and walks to work. “A lot of the [Orange Street vicinity] businesses don’t make it because there’s not a lot of walking outside. People park, they go to work, they leave,” she reasoned.
“I love the idea,” chimed in Newhallville community management team Chair Kim Harris. “I really do. It pushes us into this futuristic thing where we should probably be anyway.”
Click on the above audio file or the Facebook Live video below to hear the full interview about New Haven neighborhood issues with Kim Harris, Lisa Milone, Caroline Smith, and Anstress Farwell.
Other recent “One City” neighborhood management team episodes of “Dateline New Haven”: