from AL.com:
MOBILE, Alabama — Following a three-day, mayors only meeting in Texas, MayorSandy Stimpson has concluded that a major key to developing Mobile’s waterfront area lies in making Water Street walkable and easier to navigate, he said on Monday.
The comments were made after Stimpson attended the Mayors’ Institute on City Design in San Antonio from March 5 through March 7, an annual gathering of mayors and urban planning experts from across the country.
Mayors from places as far flung as Santa Rosa, Calif., and Somerville, Mass., were asked to present an issue in their cities for the group to consider.
Stimpson’s presentation focused on one of the Port City’s most frustrating dilemmas: the underutilization of multiple waterfront properties, including the Alabama Cruise Terminal.
“What they saw was the lack of connectivity between all of our venues — the lack of signage — probably the biggest problem is Water Street,” Stimpson said. “The problem with Water Street (is) you have a six lane major thoroughfare that does not have the perception of safe crossings to get pedestrians across.”
He said the solution may include the closure of lanes and would have to include a solution for bicyclists looking to get around the waterfront area. To help determine what’s needed, Stimpson extended an invitation to one of the experts at the conference, Mukul Malhotra. (Read more at AL.com)