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[Roger Austin <raustin3 AT nc.rr.com>]

Scott Chilcote wrote:
> But back to the topic, I'd be happy to see Raleigh create some fun 
> walking areas!

 There are plenty of walkable areas in the Raleigh area, just not
areas that have a lot of cool stuff. We are off of Ridge Road and
this is a nice walkable area. I have to say that I don't much care
for downtown Raleigh. We have to go down there for concerts, ballet,
etc., but we go and then get out. Someday, I might change my mind,
but I don't feel comfortable down walking around down there. I also
don't take kindly to $7 to park in the deck for three hours. There
has to be free parking in safe areas to get people to go downtown
in the evenings.

 I would agree that Raleigh is deficient in infrastructure for a
town this size. There are a lot of small towns making up the city
and that is much like other places. Unfortunately, many of the
little town neighborhoods don't have a central area like Five Points,
or a couple of other places. It is similar in St. Louis where there
are all kinds of small towns surrounding the main city and each of
them has a totally separate infrastructure.
 Louisville has a nice downtown too, but people drive down from the
suburbs like here. The Ohio River isn't really center stage there so
there isn't much of a river walk. I've been to Tacoma which has no
downtown much except for the museums and a small convention center.
St. Paul, MN is a nice town with a walkable city center except that
it is so cold in the Winter that you freeze your hiney if you go
outside. (It was -14F when I was there.)

 Raleigh really needs to work on parks. They also need to start
thinking of something other than a twenty block area downtown. There
is a lot more to Raleigh than the area between the squares. Capital
Boulevard needs to be wiped clean and given a fresh start. We need
to develop central business districts in the neighborhoods around
Raleigh rather than have everyone drive everywhere. Zoning has a lot
to do with that. Want to open a bar in a neighborhood? Sorry, can't
do that.

 We are older so we are fairly laid back. I guess I have never lived
in an area where you could live for less with great amenities. It
sounds like a good place to be. The problem is that most places like
that end up pricing out the people I want to be around.

I would agree with everybody on all sides of the arguments. What
things would people want that Raleigh doesn't have now? Where have
you been that you think would be a good model for Raleigh to follow?

Enjoy, Roger

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