Rick Geller: Let's bring European style to Central Florida's roads

Here, here. I'd like to see more thoughtfulness with respect to our roads - they are not just transportation corridors, but the pathways from which visitors view our cities, and through which our residents experience much of their days. All of us would benefit from a consideration of what our cities can be (places in which we can truly enjoy each aspect of living), rather than what they must be (places that serve the strictly utilitarian needs of shelter, food, services and transportation). Let's remember, however, that while government can play an important role, it must primarily establish an environment in which private investors will want to bring their creativity to the table. Should government endeavor to bring about its own utilitarian vision, we'd be missing the point, and the opportunity. I'd like to see some local workshops on the subject of Rick's article. Thank you Rick, for sharing this idea.

Vertical is the operative word. As it is, everything is so spread out that autos are a necessity, not a luxury. By building up and not out, we can reduce the need for vehicles by having our work, food, shopping and entertainment within walking distance.

No Doubt wrote:

Vertical is the operative word. As it is, everything is so spread out that autos are a necessity, not a luxury. By building up and not out, we can reduce the need for vehicles by having our work, food, shopping and entertainment within walking distance.

I'd never walk to work in the sixth most-dangerous city in the USA.

Dear Mr. Geller:

Roads in the US are planned by engineers, not urban planners. They have this book called the 'Green Book' that tells them what to do - everything from where a traffic signal should go to when a turn lane is okay.

Road planning in the US has been and continues to be about moving traffic. It was never about creating places to go.

If you don't have the right to hang the initials 'P.E.' after your name, nobody wants to listen to your suggestions about roads.

If you like Europe so much, then by all means you should go live there.

I didn't know Argentina was in Europe.

Obama has no honor wrote:

If you like Europe so much, then by all means you should go live there.

Ahh, I knew it wouldn't take long for one of your kind to show up with this comment.

Junior wrote:

<quoted text>
I'd never walk to work in the sixth most-dangerous city in the USA.

Yet with the 40k auto deaths per year, and many more deaths from heart disease, diabetes, et al, I tend to think that not walking to work is even more dangerous. And if people were actually on the road and sidewalk, instead of driving through, that might make things a little safer.

You don't have to go to Europe to see this style of roadway; a number of US cities also utilize them. They're aesthically pleasing and more importantly, practical. I've been to several cities right here in the good ol' USA that make me embarassed for my hometown. We look like trailer trash next to other US cities. Ever been to Savannah? Charleston? And parking doesn't have to be an issue - try putting parking lots behind the stores instead of in front of them, or use free parking garages (I'm actually surprise Wally World doesn't use them - more cars per acre going up means more customers inside!) Orlando could be really be the "City Beautiful" but not as long as we continue on the same path to mediocrity we've been on. Also, public transportation, contrary to popular Central Florida belief, is used by all socioeconomic groups in major US cities. It's only here in Florida that we look down at those who use it. Personally, I'd just as soon spare my car the wear and tear.

Take a look at dowmtown St. Petersburg

You can't compare Floriduh, or the U.S. in general with it's fat brain-dead scum-of-the-earth, with European sophistication and sensibilities, it's the people that make Europe so nice, and here, well, the crud we see every day is just a reflection of the people.

I'm surprised there are more Republicans posting on here. I thought for sure there'd be hell over the suggestion of doing something that doesn't destroy the human fabric.

For the person says it's not safe enough to walk to work ... if people are walking, it makes it safe. However, this irrational fear is what's been driving us to destroy the essence of the community that humans thrive in. Personally, I bike to work. I walk around downtown day and night.

But many are right; Orlando is a shame. Twice now we've send millions to other states (SunRail) who used the money to create a walkable community that has dramatically increased local retail profits. But again, that might be socialist or whatever and is utterly evil and yadda yadda.

Obama has no honor wrote:

If you like Europe so much, then by all means you should go live there.

Written by one of the last old man still kicking should be lucky he did not get caught in the last public restroom sting

Chris wrote:

<quoted text>Ahh, I knew it wouldn't take long for one of your kind to show up with this comment.

I think they just sit in their trailer listening to AM radio going from board to board to spew their rightwing hate

RogerP wrote:

You can't compare Floriduh, or the U.S. in general with it's fat brain-dead scum-of-the-earth, with European sophistication and sensibilities, it's the people that make Europe so nice, and here, well, the crud we see every day is just a reflection of the people.

Inbreeding has made the people here what they are

You want them to completely redesign the road system or central florida? Are you out of your mind? Let your mom go back to Argentina.

ADD wrote:

You want them to completely redesign the road system or central florida? Are you out of your mind? Let your mom go back to Argentina.

ADD-
So you're against new ideas to improve the community? Unlike populous cities like Miami, Central Florida actually has the room to build aesthetically pleasing/efficient roads if designed properly. Your own town in Colorado has done this with its trail system. Maybe next time you'll understand the point of the article is to strive to improve the area, rather than for you to make disparaging remarks that are both unnecessary, and for lack of a better word, just plain DUMB.

Bugger making the roads pretty how about safe?
Driving standards particularly in Florida are abysmal when when compared to the UK. You are 4 times more likely to be killed on the roads in the USA as compared to the UK. You are not allowed to use cell phones whilst driving, the driving test is 2 hrs long & very involved, plus your vehicle has to undergo a strict safety test each year. some smart arse will comment but the UK is small does not have busy roads bla bla bla. Well the UK of which 50 million people live in England alone and is little bigger than Florida-has such safe roads, no excuse America get your act together!

ADD wrote:

You want them to completely redesign the road system or central florida? Are you out of your mind? Let your mom go back to Argentina.

He didn't suggest that we tear up the whole city and replace it, only that, going forward, we might want to consider trying something a little different with our community insofar as urban planning and strategy is concerned.

Also, I fail to see how any type of urban planning (at least insofar as it has been discussed here) implicates or requires a certain political worldview. What could be more capitalist or American than attempting to design a more aesthetically-pleasing, pedestrian-friendly boulevard to attract business, improve public safety, and encourage commerce?

And while we're at it, what's up with taking a cheap shot at the guy's mom?

I totally agree. To be honest, I think that 50% of the reason I moved out of Orlando was I couldn't take Semoran Blvd. anymore. All the way from Altamonte to the airport is an eyesore. It's gonna take generations to fix Orlando.