tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post3286015337197091361..comments2023-10-10T03:39:50.342-05:00Comments on A Little Urbanity: Carolina Bank Update -- A Message From The ArchitectUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-82939677658077705182007-10-04T15:06:00.000-05:002007-10-04T15:06:00.000-05:00I agree very much with the last two very intellige...I agree very much with the last two very intelligent comments. I am not happy at all about this horrendous plan. It is disappointment that greensborians allow this to happen. A sustainable, esthetic vision of growth is entirely lacking. Too late. How are we to get rid of these growing EYE-SORES, unfriendly to the pedestrian and to the environment (such as the New Friendly SHopping Center, the YMCA, the ARbor House, the new Walgreens across UNCG...) and NOW THIS HORRENDOUS BANK. I think we would need to get civilized.Veronica Grossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674886448068711628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-30824570199350035582007-07-18T09:40:00.000-05:002007-07-18T09:40:00.000-05:00I agree. If this is the model for downtown Greensb...I agree. If this is the model for downtown Greensboro development, we can say goodbye to any dreams of a real downtown. It will look just like Friendly Center. (and that is a bad thing)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-36217747371215678452007-07-16T16:14:00.000-05:002007-07-16T16:14:00.000-05:00Despite MMP's efforts to defend the "changes" in t...Despite MMP's efforts to defend the "changes" in this project, it still exists, as designed, a suburban site layout with little or no deference to its urban context. The 119 parking spaces are gratuitous (as are the four drive-through lanes) for a downtown building with copius amounts of on street parking nearby. While Friendly and Market are high speed streets, crossing at the nearby designated crosswalks is seldom a problem for pedetrians. Further, if we continue to build in a model that defers to the auto-oriented environment, we will simply have more buildings and roads that are auto-oriented, not people-oriented. When we design for cars, that exactly what we get- more cars. But when we design for people, we have the opportunity to support engaging, active environments that are used by, amazingly, more people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-60178176163675217482007-07-12T16:16:00.000-05:002007-07-12T16:16:00.000-05:00also happy to see this kind of exchange occurring ...also happy to see this kind of exchange occurring about these issues, thanks to both of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-9316869284488016982007-07-12T14:16:00.000-05:002007-07-12T14:16:00.000-05:00I don't like drive throughs and they do present se...I don't like drive throughs and they do present serious design problems for downtowns.<BR/><BR/>But you'd have a hard time persuading most G'boroans to go along with a ban, even in the CBD.<BR/><BR/>I noticed drive though bank lanes on Greene St. today that didn't force the multi-story bank building into the center of a parking lot, so it <I>can</I> be done.David Whartonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251439852685796681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-2589569478137235592007-07-12T13:28:00.000-05:002007-07-12T13:28:00.000-05:00I think we should ban drive thru's of all kinds in...I think we should ban drive thru's of all kinds in downtown. It doesnt seem they can be accomodated considering their restrictive needs of traffic flow. In spite of this bank's good-natured intent in being downtown, they are doing more harm than good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-28442534738025196522007-07-10T12:34:00.000-05:002007-07-10T12:34:00.000-05:00Anon 1, those are GTA buses, and I don't think GDO...Anon 1, those are GTA buses, and I don't think GDOT has any control over them.<BR/><BR/>I do wonder, though, whether there isn't some wiggle room for negotiations with GDOT on this issue.David Whartonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251439852685796681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-62374193160873201502007-07-10T12:03:00.000-05:002007-07-10T12:03:00.000-05:00I dont know, Maybe Friendly Ave and Market Street ...I dont know, Maybe Friendly Ave and Market Street need to be converted to two way streets for starters. Then it wont seem like some highway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-29772733644237263582007-07-10T10:21:00.000-05:002007-07-10T10:21:00.000-05:00"GDOT would not allow this exit due to traffic vol..."GDOT would not allow this exit due to traffic volume on Spring." Is this the same DOT that stops traffic on both Davie & Washington every time the buses go out (or the parade of elephants, as I like to call it)?<BR/><BR/>While I'm sure it was considered and rejected for valid reason, it seems there'd be a way to put the drive-thru on the back of the building running parallel to Spring; thus allowing the building to be pushed streetside. Regardless, I respect Ken's response & seeming openness to feedback.<BR/><BR/>Being privy to such feedback makes John Q Citizen feel more in touch with what's going on around him/her. David, thanks for providing an intelligent & insightful website on urban planning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-66700877794009115872007-07-10T05:55:00.000-05:002007-07-10T05:55:00.000-05:00Ken Mayer is one of the few LEED certified archite...Ken Mayer is one of the few LEED certified architects in this burg and it's great that he's responding here. MMPA (Ken's company) has been a great corporate citizen for Greensboro and beyond and it's good have him comment and raise (or intensify) the level of discussion.<BR/><BR/>David, you're right. We need to make Friendly more friendly and it was part of the original Action GSO Master Plan; however, it does take gobs of money to accomplish. Every time I drive downtown (and back) I point out eyesores that could be turned into something that spans both blocks and encourages walking from business to business but no, I don't have those "gobs," either.<BR/><BR/>It was something pointed out on the Greenville trip and it's not breaking news. The "grand corridor" to and from downtown just isn't grand and should be.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it's time to embark on that bold new adventure, where no (Greensboro) city planner has gone before.<BR/><BR/>(Disclaimer: my company built the <A HREF="http://www.mmpa.com" REL="nofollow">MMPA web site</A> and has worked with MMPA for many years in both business and civic areas.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-15461190811133403792007-07-09T20:08:00.000-05:002007-07-09T20:08:00.000-05:00When people like Ken and Patrick Deaton comment he...When people like Ken and Patrick Deaton comment here, it becomes very clear that "my readers know more than I do," as Dan Gilmor likes to say.<BR/><BR/>I'm more than happy to provide a forum for knowledgeable people!David Whartonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251439852685796681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159479.post-6233630560669446122007-07-09T19:04:00.000-05:002007-07-09T19:04:00.000-05:00Ken's one of the good guys -- nice to see him enga...Ken's one of the good guys -- nice to see him engaging in this conversation. Once again you have raised the level of discussion on development and design issues in GSO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com