A Better Mickle Blvd.
Mickle Blvd. is perfectly suited to become a "Third Street Promenade," a transportation centered shopping and entertainment center that, because of it's position to the Hi-Speed line, Ferry and Skytram, could not be rivaled anywhere in the country. Not even Santa Monica's Promenade could match it's potential accessibility for consumers and tourists.
Below are some pictures of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, which should serve as a model for Camden's Mickle Blvd.
1. This is one "bookend" of the Third Street Promenade. It is a mall
with top name retail stores and a food court. Position-wise, think of the Walter
Rand Transportation Center as it's Camden counterpart. Behind this camera is the
entrance to the 3rd Street promenade.
2. Entrance to 3rd Street Promenade. Imagine you are standing on Broadway in
Camden, looking west down Mickle Blvd. to the waterfront.
Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade. A fun place!
Click on pictures to enlarge.
When evening comes, and the darkness of night falls, the promenade becomes even more alive.
People feel safe any night on the 3rd Street Promenade, simply because of the number of "eyes on the street' which is known to be effective at greatly reducing street crime, which in turn decreases the number of police patrols.
Although many of the stores in these pictures are national brands, national chain stores are not necessary to create a lively promenade. In fact, the trend in national taste is away from "cookie cutter" franchises and toward unique, original owner-operated businesses and restaurants, crafts shops, art galleries, coffee shops etc.