"[Arlington] Planning and Zoning commissioners unanimously approved zoning that would allow a 75-acre upscale shopping, dining and entertainment development east of Matlock Road and north of Interstate 20," the Star-Telegram reports. "The heart of the development, Arlington Highlands, would include storefront shops along a landscaped pedestrian-friendly mall, anchored by a movie theater."
We've got shops, a movie theater and a mall in the Golden Triangle, but it's all pedestrian-hostile. Ever try to walk to the movie theater from either the Natick Mall or Shoppers World? And, sadly, the Natick Mall expansion is likely to make much of the complex even more unattractive for walkers, with some storeowners complaining that the development will be dangerous for pedestrians to go from the old to proposed new mall areas. Sigh.
Speaking from Florida, I have to say that there is a greater demand on pedestrian malls
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speaking about SAFETY of the pedestrian... you sound like you have a problem around there.
May I suggest looking into the local codes and taking it up with the local government who
approves projects and expansions of exisiting catastrophes. I don't know the laws up
there, but if there are any 5, 10 or 20 year update periods of the local development
codes, thats a great time to bug the heck out of the people who make those changes. I
work for a local government and Florida requires Comprehensive Plans updated every 10 yrs.
And did those citizens come out and get involved! Other than that, you could sort of
petition or campaign for a requirement that addresses some of your pedestrian issues.
Sometimes local governments can set up a special committee to address certain problems.
We had a recreation committee here that had gov't employees and citizens together who
combined efforts and put out a report of recommendations. Now we just need to find the
money! :( Sorry if I am pointing out the obvious, but I see a trend here that you really
are put off about the lack of sidewalks and safe pedestrian connections.
Another thing is you can get a local group (with money) to bring in a speaker about
walkable communities. Dan Burden is well known for that. He can make recommendations
and if your local paper covers it, the local government will have to take notice!
Check out the link to his site: http://www.walkable.org/ He's based in FL but he travels.