I think that would make University Avenue much more inviting to shoppers from the surrounding neighborhoods. Will the businesses along the street support it? They seem to be more interested in out-of-town drive-in shoppers than the local residents. Maybe Palo Alto can start by making California Ave. a pedestrian mall? That's a lower risk project. If we build a pedestrian bridge over the Caltrain tracks, I bet all kinds of people would walk over to California Ave. to visit the shops and restaurants in a pedestrian-oriented district.

We go over this topic a couple of times a year. Here's a thread from 2007: Web Link

I like the idea. We enjoyed the Pearl Street Mall when we visited Boulder. There would probably be extra traffic on Hamilton and Forest where we live and work and some need for more parking structures downtown. I can support that if the idea is viable for making University Avenue better serve the community.

Paul, the idea of turning University Avenue into a pedestrian mall is not new; in fact the City Council has been approached about it before. I was informed that because University Avenue is the main roadway into Stanford, Stanford would vehemently oppose such an idea. However, I'm all for it but you are in a better position than most to pursue the idea but don't be surprised if it gets shot down.

I seem to remember from my formative years that at one point Uiversity was made "one-way" and Hamilton and Lytton were made into oneway belt loops - University Ave businesses all suffered reductions in business and the experiment was abandoned.

Paul, Hope that you are well. I think that it is a great idea. Boulder is a fine example. I, too, seem to remember that this idea has been explored in the past. I do not recall what the conclusion (if any) was...I am sure that there are some valid objections that would need to be addressed. AP