On Walkability

Michael Singer, the technology columnist for the Castro Valley Forum, has forwarded to Your Boulevardier a news item on Alameda County's plans to improve the walkability of Castro Valley Boulevard. A snippet:

The $6 million project approved today is expected to improve the walkability of Castro Valley Boulevard between Redwood Road and San Miguel Avenue. The money, which will come in the form of a grant from the county's redevelopment agency, will be used to widen sidewalks, plant trees, improve median landscaping, build sidewalk planting strips, install trash cans, put up gateway signage and relocate traffic signals, among other things.

The article goes on to say that a "symbolic downtown center" will be created at Wilbeam Avenue. As perhaps the lone Castro Valleyan who actually liked the much-despised canoe-shaped Welcome sign, Your Boulevardier acknowledges that he has effectively abrogated his rights to comment on such edifices.

Your Boulevardier is generally in favor of any improvements to walkability, of course. However, he casts a wary eye on landscaping projects. Not that he likes the vast swaths of concrete now in evidence along the Boulevard; but landscaping requires maintenance. And when not maintained, landscaping can be even more of an eyesore than concrete.

In an ideal scenario, the businesses along the Boulevard that have landscaping in front of them would maintain it. Perhaps even do so competitively -- make concerted efforts to have the trees and flowers in front of their businesses be inviting. (As is the case at the Boulevard Pet Hospital, where both the Trusty BoulevarDog and the Chat du Maison see the esteemed Dr. Schuchman.) But reality says county crews and low-cost yard service companies will be hired to maintain the landscaping to minimal levels.

Still, Your Boulevardier endeavors to remain positive, and is encouraging of these new attempts to make the Boulevard more walkable.