Adding greenery to Thayer street is an automatic yes in my book.

I voted for the stops and trees on Thayer too along with the bidirectional bus lanes for Washington, that'd speed up inbound trips quite a bit.

It's a 'no' in most other people's views though. I hate to be a debbie-downer, but as someone who does outreach about this, most residents see greenery as a huge negative. It's always been an uphill battle in this city, including the East Side as residents continue to mow down greenery for stupid reasons.

"Trees destroy the sidewalks and could hurt buildings."

"Greenery promotes wildlife, I don't want squirrels, rats, birds, and other animals around."

Etc.

Continue voting for greenery though my friend, let's make a difference!

I was hoping there would be some tunnel access to pedestrians somehow. Going up college hill is fucking dreadful and not accessible to anyone except those with a decent car -- those with accessibility issues, bikes, scooters, etc, are fucked.

Not sure how it'll be done but I'd love to see it!

> bidirectional bus lanes for Washington

A diagram would be helpful, I’m trying to picture this part - do they mean that weird little bus-only turn lane that’s already there or do they mean a dedicated lane all the way into KP? The latter would be a game changer and would benefit more than just the tunnel-bound busses. The EP and East Bay busses also come up Main and cross the river at Washington, if I’m not mistaken.

my life would tranform if i could bicycle through there rather than going up college hill everyday

Nice!

East side tunnel: Option 3B, Alternative A

West side tunnel: Option 2B.

These are the ones I went with. Trees == Happy

Most people around hope street really love their foliage and gardens and like to take care of their yards - maybe the city is saying they don't want it but the residents... Now if the city neglected to upkeep their parts of the greenery... I would complain too.

There's links to images on the site, from the looks of it it'd be 2 bus lanes to at least memorial Blvd, not sure of that'd go straight to kp or they'd need to turn left. I'd hope for a direct connection tho

Unfortunately, I'd love to agree with you. My anecdotle experience of living here and doing outreach... You might be surprised. I say majority and I do mean that. Very few peeps are supportive of green initiatives. Perhaps in some pockets like Ivy or Summit, it's the other way around.

I walk everywhere and don't drive and it's the main reason I don't go to College Hill more regularly. Getting to the tunnel is easy but that hike up to College Hill blows and even bikes and scooters can't really do it.

Westbound buses traveling straight onto Washington St instead of 4 turns and 5 stoplights - about fucking time.

This escalator that works for bikes, scooters, strollers belongs on College Street

https://youtu.be/zipZ5kwhFfs

Thanks for your perspective! Maybe my 'circle' is more homeowners rather than renters? Anyhow, glad we're advancing the thought of having more foliage and nature.

Cheers

Biking up college hill every day does keep me fit though

Not that I don't believe you, but man I would really love to talk to one of these sociopaths that don't like greenery... That is just so utterly bizarre to me haha.

Talk to any folks outside of ivy or summit -- camp, grand view, cypress, abott, Duncan, jenkins, etc. I've talked to so, so many landlords in recent years and I have not met a single one that wanted to promote greenery. Funny, most landlords don't live on the property.

Outside of the first two streets I mentioned, the east side is losing greenery, and fast.

Now we're talkin

Yeeeaa

You may not realize it, but there's a hill inside the tunnel as well. When you are heading toward Thayer, the bus is going uphill the whole way.

The incline is not as steep as outside the tunnel, but it's a long slog with nothing nice to look at.

Yup - that walk is great cardio, too!

Gah that's super disappointing. Do you know if there's anything people can do to promote it or vote for it city-wide, or is it just the local residents that have a say? I don't live on the east side but I'm 1000% for more greenery anywhere and everywhere we can put it lol.

The city has some sidewalk tree programs that the landlord has to pay for and reach out to, that's about it. There's some community steward programs but again, folks need to reach out. There aren't any incentives and if you own the property, you can do whatever you want.

Even more Norway: we could get a funicular going haha

It's frustrating when some of these places are owned by LLCs that may not even live in the state, let alone the building. There's really no reason to get invested then on quality of life issues.

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/47704/urban-heat-islands

Providence is a heat island. We really could use the greenery and the lack of it is so short sighted.

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The reality is this state is getting crushed by climate change in part due to our addiction to large cars. That 10 ton, 3 parking spot SUV can't float 👍

Just a concerned, educated resident.

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We literally just had record droughts and flooding.

https://climatechange.ri.gov/climate-sciences#:~:text=Rhode%20Island%20will%20experience%20warmer,less%20snowfall%20and%20ice%20coverage.

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If you disagree with the scientific consensus and have your own findings, please publish your data.

Littering is a systemic issue partially caused by urban decay and poverty. I'm also not sure how that relates to an accessible lane where many residents bike, walk, scoot, etc -- I suppose it would actually reduce urban decay now that I think about it.

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Huh? It's already been established that a populace living in a "less nice" area tends to care less about it, increased liter is a factor.

Care for another anti-science take or can I move along?

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K. Still have no clue why you from from climate change denial to hating on accessible infrastructure to littering.

Think I lost interest here.

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Elevation of 14 North Main Street: 16 feet above sea level (source: https://whatismyelevation.com/location/41.826631,-71.40822/14-N-Main-St--Providence--RI-02903-)

Elevation of 218 Thayer Street (Starbucks): 105 feet above sea level (source: https://whatismyelevation.com/location/41.827509,-71.400768/218-Thayer-St--Providence--RI-02906-)

I've biked the tunnel. No need to pedal coming from Thayer. Whole other story in the other direction.

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