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Closing the 13th from Florida to Euclid occasionally is a good idea. THey've done it for a street luge demonstration. It effectively happened during snowpocalypse when it became a major focus for fun sledding activity. It was a popular gathering spot for fireworks because of its commanding view of the skyline, but this year with Cardozo's construction I believe it was not so good.

The only problem in the past has been that on July 4th it becomes like a war zone. Mostly this is because of limited seating and zero police presence, so people including young children set off fireworks and it becomes very dangerous. I've avoided it for the past few years.

Perhaps something more intentional can work, but it needs a heavy police presence and well thought out plan for restrooms and safety. Cooling stations would also be good, perhaps set up in the school, because the heat is usually extreme, even at night, in July.

Note that closing off 13th alone will probably not do it. You'd need to open up Cardozo's grounds and perhaps block off parts of Euclid. The problem is that 13th St. is so steeply sloped that you can't do much on it or have people walking up and down. Any "festival" activities would need to be staged at the top of the hill.

Perhaps bleachers would be needed for fireworks viewing. THere are so many obstacles that most places will not work, so people would jockey for position and trample each other unless order is maintained. Meridian Hill/Malcolm X is always a complete zoo, so I usually avoid that too.

by Ward 1 Guy on Jul 9, 2012 1:29 pm • link • report