My
retirement planning has now become more challenging, but also potentially more fulfilling. The American Planning Association (APA) has
released three lists. One for the best public spaces in the U.S. Another for the best streets. And a third for the best neighborhoods.
And there’s
not a single public space, street, or neighborhood on the lists that I don’t
hope to visit someday. Just to buy a
deli sandwich and to hang out on a park bench, enjoying the ambiance. I’m easy to please.
Coincidently,
I was on one of the streets just a week ago, Broad Street in Charleston, South
Carolina. Although it was without a deli
sandwich, I did find a few moments to sit on a bench and watch the world. It was a fine experience about which I’ll
soon share more.
It’s an odd
list, lacking the cachet or panache of the APA list. It’s hard for the Paint Quality Institute to
compete with the American Planning Association.
One obvious quirk is the inclusion of Cape Cod. I spent two days on Cape Cod this summer,
driving the entire length from the ship canal to Provincetown, and loved
it. But never once did I remark about
the great use of paint.
It’s also curious
to see a subdivision, Northwest Crossing in Oregon, on a list that is mostly
cities. However, I had a small but peculiarly
pivotal role in the start of Northwest Crossing, so will let the anomaly
pass. (The beginning of Northwest
Crossing is a story for another time.)
Despite my
quibbles about the Prettiest Painted Places list, it’s good to see Petaluma get
noticed. There are downtown buildings
and residential neighborhoods for which the use of paint is truly praiseworthy.
Now, the
challenge is to get the North Bay onto the APA lists in future years. I think Petaluma Boulevard in downtown
Petaluma is close to being worthy of inclusion as a great street. Perhaps all that’s needed is an
architecturally distinguished hotel at B Street to close the deal. And I remain a big fan of Sonoma Plaza. There are few places where I’ve enjoyed an
open air sandwich more.
It can be
one of our goals for the next decade. To
truly complete our already great North Bay downtowns and to let the world know
about it.
As always,
your questions or comments will be appreciated.
Please comment below or email me.
And thanks for reading. - Dave Alden (davealden53@comcast.net)
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