The pedestrian/cyclist access of Flower Street is supposed to resume tomorrow, after a temporary closure for construction.
In the time since vehicles have lost access on that street, the Dunkin Donuts on Capitol and Lawrence has changed owners. On Sunday, La Paloma Sabanera (Capitol and Babcock) announced it was closing, with its owner saying that while business has definitely slowed since the Flower Street closure, her decision was primarily due to the building’s landlord being unwilling to negotiate on the high rent while simultaneously not addressing issues on the property.
Currently, there is a “mitigation path” connecting the north side of Flower Street to Broad. The section of Broad where it empties is currently under construction; the sidewalk on the west side of Broad Street is closed, requiring pedestrians to cross where there is no crosswalk and where cars are rushing to enter I-84. Most of Broad Street’s eastern sidewalk is usable, for pedestrians who are not in wheelchairs or using strollers. Essentially, those in wheelchairs or using strollers have to enter the roadway on Broad Street, further detour by going downtown, or head in the opposite direction and use Sigourney Street, if they are to go from Farmington Avenue to Capitol Avenue.
Josh LaPorte
The pedestrian situation at Broad Street and the highway entrance has become extremely unsafe. I was toting home a week’s worth of provisions from Billings Forge and had a terrible time crossing the street (twice) in spite of use of the walk signals. The drivers trying to get onto the highway just won’t stop at the red light. Plus the sidewalk is so narrow two people cannot pass. And the drainage situation is abysmal, huge flooding. Then further down by the armory the sidewalk abruptly ended so I needed to scurry through the traffic to the Courant side of the street. Really a huge disaster. I think that this lack of appropriate planning to mitigate the impact on pedestrians is massively irresponsible.
Kerri Provost
Agreed.
I just heard that Flower Street has re-opened. I’m going to check it out later.