Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

IcyWillow1193 t1_jcooi7x wrote

Or maybe, instead of Metro and everyone else adjusting their day to the recreational needs of a horde of yuppies, maybe a for-profit company should not be allowed to shut down a huge swath of public space for hours each year.

−21

Existing365Chocolate t1_jcoxmlb wrote

Eh, businesses in the area can use all the help they can get so I don’t mind these events bringing lots of people together

21

IcyWillow1193 t1_jcp1fej wrote

you think those marathoners are making shopping stops along the way?

−12

CriticalStrawberry t1_jcp3avt wrote

Before and after the race yes, spectators and volunteers yes.

21

IcyWillow1193 t1_jcp3upn wrote

Empty speculation without evidence, and without consideration of the economic losses imposed by hours-long closures of major arteries.

−14

CriticalStrawberry t1_jcp5192 wrote

>Empty speculation without evidence

>economic losses imposed by hours-long closures of major arteries

Your are correct, that is what you did there. The vast majority of economic activity in urban areas comes from local people walking, biking, and taking transit. Very few people in cars are actually stopping and spending money in the city. The only people in that group negatively effected by this are bus riders, which should be considered.

Businesses complain when cities want to remove street parking or pedestrianize the street they're on because they've been told that it will negatively effect their business and reduce the number of customers they get. The reality is the opposite. Removing cars from an area almost always increases economic activity for businesses. If you walk around coffee shops, retail, and restaurants downtown during events like this, it's pretty clear evidence that holds true.

10

Playful-Translator49 t1_jcp4gz6 wrote

Right who cares that thousands of people come and spend money In in town at businesses, hotels and restaurants. They should protest something or have a parade or something instead

15

suffertunity t1_jcpb41x wrote

Eh it's fun and gets the kids in shape. Let the drivers who get to use 1/3 of DC real estate for free 24/7 lose a couple of hours.

10