July 5, 2014
This photo of South 6th Street was taken at noon the day after Brainerd's busiest day of the year. There is no traffic. There are no people to be seen. While the entire Central Lakes Area overflows with activity, Brainerd's main north/south street is a dead zone.
We're being told we need to buy more land to make a reconstructed South 6th Street even wider. Our public officials have been given the false choice between a three lane or a five lane highway through the middle of town. We need to do better.
A well designed South 6th Street can can handle all of our traffic while also improving property values, attracting investment and making the city more prosperous. This can all be accomplished for less money than what will be spent on another bad design.
If we're fighting a battle against congestion, its time to declare victory and move on. Our focus now must be on making Brainerd a better place to live.
We're being told we need to buy more land to make a reconstructed South 6th Street even wider. Our public officials have been given the false choice between a three lane or a five lane highway through the middle of town. We need to do better.
A well designed South 6th Street can can handle all of our traffic while also improving property values, attracting investment and making the city more prosperous. This can all be accomplished for less money than what will be spent on another bad design.
If we're fighting a battle against congestion, its time to declare victory and move on. Our focus now must be on making Brainerd a better place to live.