*** Sidewalk (Long) Weekend *** #33

Sidewalk Rating: Still Summertime

It's still summer, dammit. You had better make the most of the sidewalks this weekend, or I'll never speak to you again.

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Here's an example of what we can look forward to...




... if we're lucky!

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Carlos Slim, in addition to having an awesome name and being the world's richest man, is a bona fide urbanist!

"More recently, Mexico's richest businessman, Carlos Slim, established a private initiative known as the Fundacion del Centro Historico into which he initially invested $300-million and developed a long term regeneration plan for the city centre. The Fundacion initially bought 70 historic buildings and set about a major refurbishment programme to turn them generally into middle to high income residential.

"Then he brought the city government into the act in upgrading the infrastructure - pavements, beautiful period lampposts, et cetera, as well as providing a new Centro police force complete with CCTV system and relocating all the informal traders - they are now banned from El Centro!

"The result is a highly walkable public environment among some truly beautifully restored historic buildings. The refurbed residential has in turn attracted new restaurants and high quality retail."

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This NYT story confirms what I saw when I went to Florida last summer: lots of half-built and empty condo towers. Apparently, people have stopped believing in paradise.

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Awesome signs that don't tell you very much, archived on a website. Have you met my friend, Les Ismore?

[One example of geometric signage.]

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One of the reasons Cambridge, Mass. is so nice is that they get rid of signs like this. It's a trend, man.

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I went through a Mad Men phase, and am happy to see that they're covering the destruction of Penn Station as a mini-narrative this season.

Jane Jacobs was right!

[Jane Jacobs tilting at windmills.]

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I hope Madison, Wisc. can make the right decision about their train station. It's a battle of common sense v. bureaucratic expediency. Knowing Wisconsin, neither of these will win out in the end.

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Speaking of Wisconsin...



As a cyclist, I absolutely hate watching that.

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Beware the primrose path of dalliance, lest ye find yourself wearing Denny Hecker's auctioned shoes!

(I think you're best avoiding any company who advertises during Twins games.)

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As if I didn't feel bad for Duluth already, now their sidewalks are crumbling beneath their feet.

Sous le pavés, le plage!

(And again.)

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Three photos for you!


1) Abandoned cityscape & prairie restoration. (Fm. James D. Griffioen)
2) State fair bandshell. (Img. fm. Minnpics.)


3) A nice look at the Walker sidewalk. (Img. fm. Robert.)