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All too often we have seen Downtown (and other) development planned and designed in terms of blocks. [see CityScape for just one of many examples]

But instead, we have to think in terms of streets. The walkability of Mill Ave was not achieved by focusing on making walkable blocks of land. It was achieved by focusing on making a two-sided walkable strip of land -- a street.

People don't walk or explore blocks. Instead, we walk and explore streets: If we don't see continued activity and elements of interest down a street, we aren't as likely to explore it. We can't see around corners, so it does no good if it's wrapped around a block.

And if just one side of a street is visually interesting, it just doesn't feel vibrant and engaging for pedestrians. Think about Jefferson between 1st Ave & Central, which has the wonderful potential of the Luhrs building on its south side, but the abhorrently anti-pedestrian north side created by CityScape grade differential and mammoth loading dock. This half-and-half makes the street feel incomplete -- at best.

So no more planning blocks. For now on we plan streets.