And if State Street were redesigned as a true pedestrian mall in the future – with trees, winding paths, and public art – fire departments could still have access in an emergency. After all, Pearl Street sticks to the 20-foot standard. And Madison Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel said last week that fire routes can be built to look more like a walkway. Buildings with sprinklers are also excluded.
“We could work with anyone to find creative ways to achieve both goals,” said Ruckriegel about fire safety and a pedestrian zone. “But still, 20 feet is the standard we assume.”
Does the firefighter believe that a large boardwalk on State Street is not possible due to the Fire Safety Act?
“Oh god, no,” replied Ruckriegel.
City traffic director Tom Lynch emphasizes that many pedestrian streets across the country have failed. That’s true. But most of these cities turned streets with frequent car traffic into promenades, and some did not allow cross streets. In some cities, a mall was the last minute effort to try to save flawed inner cities.
Madison is different. Our Signature Street has been free of most vehicles since the 1970s, and we already have a successful (albeit smaller) Library Mall at the end of State Street.
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