The Grove Replaces Sewer Pots With Concrete Balls
As much as I wanted to write a funny headline I just couldn't stomach it. You see, I'm not convinced that big concrete balls are any better than big sewer pots. The issue is the function and usability of our streets, continuity within our neighborhood and, of course, future development opportunities. Closed streets were a disincentive for me to move to the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood almost four years ago and they remain a negative for the neighborhood.
And that's not to mention the highway barriers that were installed this past year. I have been told that those barricades were added after several residents expressed concern for the safety of children who might otherwise run or bike between the sewer pots and into traffic. It's for the kids you know, and I'm guessing that until we care less about our children the second layer of barricades may just stay. That's sarcasm.
What I don't understand is why public city streets can be closed temporarily indefinitely without any mechanism to readdress their need. The closing of city streets should never be routine or normal. Residents of closed streets should have to reaffirm the need, not simply a desire or an indifference but a need to continue a temporary street closure.
The "before" shot:
Gentrification: "... welcome by some and feared and loathed by others, and even dreaded and welcomed at the same time by the same people." Lance Freeman's pursuit of this duality makes the book strong-he's willing to admit that gentrification is both a pleasure and a problem, rather than setting up camp on one side.
What the hell? I'm hoping that the balls were donated. Is there anyone over there actually planning this stuff?
The Grove's got balls.
I think this is an interesting post. What conditions actually warrant streets to be shut down like this? I am interested to hear any thoughts on this matter.
It's good to see a new post! In response to Josh, I'd suggest that the Schoemehl pots, Target balls and Jersey barriers, or at least originally the Schoemehl pots, were installed as a disruption to the through-traffic thought too conducive to drug/prostitution trafficking when lower resident occupancy neighborhood stability threatened depressed areas with epidemic crime.
Josh, I think that street barricades and limited access were once used extensively to fight crime. I suppose that they would prevent drive-through drug traffic, but they seem to get in the way as well.
My problem with any of these street baricades is that they make people new to the area assume that it's not safe. The numbers might say they lower crime but a full street grid with lots of traffic and activity would lower crime more.
Stupidity of the barricades in general aside, I actually like the balls better than the pots. But the aesthetic benefits are wasted because of those barricades. What a waste. Any kid that would ride between them into traffic is just going to go around them anyway.