The second of two articles by Cliff Lewis
The stretch of Market Street adjacent to Central Market serves as one of Lancaster City’s most thriving pedestrian thoroughfares. But, today, with continual hazards posed by an uneven street surface and unpredictable vehicular traffic, the area is far from pedestrian friendly. But with new renovations on the horizon, this area may soon step closer to its cultural and commercial potential.
According to market master Michael Ervin, vehicle traffic on Market Street poses a frequent threat to pedestrians passing through the area. Just last Tuesday, Ervin watched a car fly down the bumpy brick street at over 30 miles per hour. “One of the [James Street Improvement District’s] red shirt guys jumped in front,” Ervin said, “But if he didn’t jump away, he probably would have been run over.”
Because of such dangers, Ervin said, the prospect of closing off that section of Market Street to vehicle traffic has been “a constant discussion…as long as I’ve been here.” But, until recently, the idea has been just that—a matter of discussion, and little more.
The Central Market Master Plan, prepared by Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, observes that “many customers perceive this situation as dangerous because of the speeds at which some cars travel through this block, and worry about the potential for pedestrian accidents.” The plan later recommends that
“A key step to a pedestrian-friendly Market Square is the permanent closing of Market Street to vehicular traffic between West King and West Grant Streets…Once standholder set-up is completed by 6:00 a.m., Market Street can become an attractive area for customers with tables, chairs and daystalls….Bringing back the old Lancaster custom of curbside vendors, or daystalls, would also make better use of the space around the Market building.”
(A sketch of a car-free Market Street from the master plan is pictured above.)
That report was published in 2005. Six years later, in 2011, the city is expected to see a modified incarnation of that proposal, but with the “permanent closing of Market Street” nowhere on the immediate horizon.
According to public works director Charlotte Katzenmoyer, the City will not pursue the total closure of that block, largely due to a lack of consensus among nearby business owners and residents. Shops in the Hager Arcade—open all week long—often benefit from passing traffic flow throughout the week, Katzenmoyer noted.
Instead of total closure, the second phase of Central Market renovations will realize a compromise that should keep all parties satisfied and advance a more pedestrian friendly Market Street, Katzenmoyer explained. Mechanically retractable bollards will be installed to avert traffic during select times. According to Katzenmoyer, this is a firm component of the Phase Two plan, with design work already completed.
The mechanical, dynamic nature of the planned bollards will allow the City to progressively introduce the changes, at first blocking traffic during special events and later potentially doing same for every market day (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday).
Closing the street for market days is “what I would like to get to,” Katzenmoyer asserted, “But change comes slowly here…You have to take it in baby steps.”
