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Title: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Volznut on March 13, 2012, 07:09:52 EDT What do you think? I say about damn time
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/13/redevelopment-shopping-center-sorority-project/ Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Clockwork Orange on March 13, 2012, 07:38:10 EDT What do you think? I say about damn time http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/13/redevelopment-shopping-center-sorority-project/ My brother-in-law is a transportation engineer and is buddies with the Jeff Mize quoted in the article. I'm going to have to ask him about the traffic details, but it is sure as hell time somebody did something to improve the strip, both from a traffic perspective and regarding its aesthetics. That whole area is a mess. Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Black Diamond Vol on March 13, 2012, 08:22:41 EDT Hopefully reducing it from 4 lanes to 3 will mean wider sidewalks. The area needs to be a lot more pedestrian-friendly. They should also consider a few more pedestrian overpasses at the major intersections. That would help the flow of foot traffic AND car traffic.
Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Clockwork Orange on March 13, 2012, 08:59:58 EDT Hopefully reducing it from 4 lanes to 3 will mean wider sidewalks. The area needs to be a lot more pedestrian-friendly. They should also consider a few more pedestrian overpasses at the major intersections. That would help the flow of foot traffic AND car traffic. The additional foot bridge at the hill has already made a huge difference. I think you're right that another bridge-- ideally in the commercial part of the strip-- could help foot traffic tremendously. Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: gallavol on March 13, 2012, 09:53:29 EDT They should make that place a restaurant row, with only restaurants, bars and live music at night. That ought to bring it back. This development makes it seem like a strip mall. Walmart? Publix? How unique.
Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Black Diamond Vol on March 13, 2012, 10:02:57 EDT They should make that place a restaurant row, with only restaurants, bars and live music at night. That ought to bring it back. This development makes it seem like a strip mall. Walmart? Publix? How unique. From the way it sounds, the big boxes are going to be off the strip, over by the Ag Campus. But maybe the entrance is on Cumberland(?). I'd like to see some pics and/or maps of what the final proposal would look like, if anyone knows where to find them. :confused: Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: Black Diamond Vol on March 13, 2012, 10:29:51 EDT The additional foot bridge at the hill has already made a huge difference. I think you're right that another bridge-- ideally in the commercial part of the strip-- could help foot traffic tremendously. I'd like to see at least two foot bridges added, if not three. That would give students 4-5 crossing points from different areas on campus, and that should be plenty. Then institute jaywalking laws for the entire strip, at least during peak traffic times. If there are no pedestrians on the street, that (in addition to the new turn lane) should compensate for the loss of auto capacity when you eliminate a lane in each direction. Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: murfvol on March 13, 2012, 10:51:53 EDT Making it a pedestrian-friendly boulevard would help all the way around.
Next up maybe Neyland will be closed from TBA to Calhoun's. Put grass in and make it a park. I have plenty of ideas no one cares about. :smile: Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: VinnieVOL on March 13, 2012, 11:28:33 EDT Wouldve loved this to have happened while I was at UT.
Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: PirateVOL on March 14, 2012, 12:00:18 EDT Making it a pedestrian-friendly boulevard would help all the way around. It was VERY pedestrian friendly in 1974 ... :naughty: :eek: :angel:Next up maybe Neyland will be closed from TBA to Calhoun's. Put grass in and make it a park. I have plenty of ideas no one cares about. :smile: Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: BanditVol on March 14, 2012, 12:24:04 EDT Hard to believe that 2 lanes are better than 4 regardless, but I hope it turns out well.
Title: Re: The Strip is getting a major facelift Post by: GreggO on March 14, 2012, 12:30:17 EDT It was VERY pedestrian friendly in 1974 ... :naughty: :eek: :angel: Yes, it was. Wal-Mart & publix will be west of the rail overpass & south of the soccer field on the vacant concrete pad. The stores will be elevated and parking underneath on the concrete pad. Sidewalks on the strip will be widened and businesses set back. Hence the McDonald's redesign. Foot bridges? Dunno, but a GREAT idea, BDV! G |