But in the past couple of months several more businesses have opened, and more are preparing to open, and it seems like things are reasonably busy there (at least it was when I walked down there last night.) It wasn't full of auto traffic, but then, I don't think that was ever the point of this project. The point was more to bring attention, flexibility, new businesses, and maybe few federal transportation dollars. It seems to have done so.

I'm not implying it shouldn't have happened - although I don't think you can credit the changes to it either. My point was simply that there's a reason why it doesn't get much auto traffic - and it never seemed likely - there's simply very little need or reason to drive there, mixed with existing disincentives.

And again, that's both deliberate and positive. Environments that have lots of appeal for drivers (places with plenty of parking, minimal stops and high speed limits, resulting in lots of cars) are terrible for pedestrians. Complete streets, the way K Street is now, allow cars in limited fashion, but they aren't the king of the public realm.

William is right. The new K Street was not intended to be a high-capacity urban street. If there were on-street parking you naysayers would be complaining about the traffic and how impossible it is to find a parking space.

Tony, it actually has been useful for me on more than one occasion so far and I'm not a commuter, tourist, lost suburbanite nor was I drunk. Because of the one-ways I've found the two-way street pretty useful in navigating downtown.

You are such a rebel. That'll show them.

I actually found a very good reason to drive K street. It is easier to loop around when trying to find parking on adjacent streets. It was actually a big help.

While going to church thinking people with different opinions are fools may be normal for many that man you heard was no fool. Light-rail has not been the best thing for K Street. It's presence has certainly not contributed to it's well-being. The station's ramps, ticket machines and waiting riders block storefronts. The duel-tracks and size of the cars takes up considerable space and the noise is unattractive. It would be better if the Watt Ave. line terminated at 12th and L. Then a smaller low-floor tram and/or the historic streets could run along K Street.

There have been some ideas floated about rerouting the Blue Line onto H Street, and using the existing K Street tracks to run modern streetcars as part of a new Midtown to West Sac streetcar line (see tomorrow's city council meeting) although I have never minded the presence of light rail. And, like Mark, I have started utilizing K Street (on the occasions when I drive there rather than walk or take light rail) as a way to simplify getting around the one-way streets. There is plenty of parking in that neck of the woods after 6 PM.

If you think so, show up to City Council tomorrow night and tell them so! Both the city council, City staff and the consultants should hear it. The system will almost certainly be based on modern vehicles, but there are a few cars (right now in private hands) that could make an amazing "legacy fleet" to break out for special occasions, game days and other times when we want to show off our city history.

Rhys02 it takes at least two years before you can begin to honestly asset the success of any project. And concrete sculptures? Please don’t tell me you digging back into the 1970's

The reopening K Street to cars is neither a gimmick nor a magic bullet. It's part of an ongoing process. If you know something about the history of cities you know that some the most highly regarded urban spaces today had be tweaked over and over again until they got it right. You may not like it but that’s way it is.

You can't manufacture customer traffic? Try telling people in marketing and advertising that and they will laugh in your face. And of course you can produce customer traffic without housing. How many Arden Fair Mall customers live within walking distance?

WE ALL UNDERSTAND the need for market rate housing downtown and the City is trying to bring that about but it can only do so much. We have had some real problems with a few stubborn “slumlord” property owners with messiah complexes and certain religious-based advocates who have made (and still make) irrational demands on property owners who want to convert their property to market-rate housing by insisting they relocate all their low or no income tenants -most who have mental/social problems and criminal backgrounds and cannot be relocated easily because no wants to take on their problems.

Yes the city has made it’s share of mistakes but I don’t think bringing cars back to K Street will be seen as one of them.

You appear to be very, very, very glad.