Slow down, stop, go … Editorial, Feb. 6

Published 2:09 pm Monday, February 9, 2009

After rounds of yes, no, maybe so, the Poulsbo City Council has taken action on slowing down traffic in the downtown core.

Make that stopping traffic, then letting it go, then stopping it again.

Last week the council decided to install 12 stop signs throughout the downtown corridor. This decision was based on making downtown a more pedestrian-friendly place, as some pedestrians take issue with cars not stopping to allow walkers their right-of-way.

The intent is to make driving downtown such a chore that people just won’t do it anymore — instead, the theory goes, they’ll park their cars, walk around and stop to shop downtown.

Great intentions. But we know what they say about great intentions.

The downtown business folks were torn on the issue, as some believe the pedestrian-friendly downtown will make folks feel safe enough to go downtown again. The other camp contends that if people aren’t driving downtown in the first place, they won’t be there to shop.

This is a case in which both sides have valid arguments and it will be interesting to see what the outcome is.

Any way about it, the downtown merchants would welcome walkers, visitors and — especially — shoppers.

Here’s to hoping the stop signs won’t deter people from seeing what downtown merchants have to offer.