Yes, we should support walkability in Hutchinson
OPINION: This article reflects the author's opinion, not tied to the publication
If we want our town to succeed, as I hope all of us do, we have to support walkability and new urbanism in Hutchinson.
Probably the one question I hear the most from readers or supporters of the Tribune is the same:
How do we get young people to stay in Hutch?
The answer is actually pretty simple: build a community where young people actually want to live.
Young people, including myself, want to live in a walkable community that is diverse with opportunity and community. The Downtown Masterplan which we have seen develop over the past year focuses on that issue specifically, which I believe will be the major factor in determining whether the plan is a success or failure.
Here are some things the plan addresses:
Improved crosswalks and overall downtown pedestrian safety
Bicycle lanes and connected likeability
Improved public transportation with RCAT
Downtown should not be a place where you drive through but a place you drive to, if even drive at all.
Road diets and safe streets have not ruined towns but have made them more accessible and safer.
Unfortunately, the success marks of an American 70 years ago are not the same as they are today. My generation, Gen Z, is the generation with the least amount of driver’s licenses issued in recent history.
If we want to adapt and adjust to what modern, young Americans want, we’re going to have to change our ways as a city. Opposing and denying modern wants like walkable neighborhoods, public transportation and bikeability is only going to keep our town in the status quo: stagnating population and loss of identity.
We have an opportunity to put our name on the map. We are a town not large enough to be a full-fledged metropolis but not small enough to be a little town.
Imagine a Hutchinson where young people flock to because it is a great place to live with a high quality of life. That all stems from building a city that is walkable and safe for people of all ages.
Here are some policies the City of Hutchinson should look at revising for a stronger community:
The city should consider reducing or eliminating setback requirements for buildings, meaning a developer could build a structure without having to leave empty space between the road and the entrance.
The city should consider eliminating parking minimums so those traveling on foot, bike or public transit don’t have to walk across a parking lot the size of the destination they are arriving at.
The city should consider promoting more mixed-use development, meaning commercial, entertainment and residential areas should be in the same area, even on top of each other.
The city should consider working with RCAT, if possible, to provide better and extended services on weekends and evenings.
The city should encourage infill and revitalization rather than unsustainable sprawl that will only cause higher maintenance taxes for Hutchinson.
Not convinced? Here are some additional benefits of walkability and a denser city:
- Lower Taxes
If Hutchinson develops into a walkable city, more people would be able to live in a smaller area, causing the city to not have to levy as many taxes to build and maintain new infrastructure, such as streets, water lines and sewage.
Hutchinson would also have a larger tax base that would bring more revenue in to further invest in developing the Salt City
- Less Congested Streets
If there are more people taking alternative forms of transportation, i.e. walking, biking or public transportation, that’s one less car on the street for you to deal with. Fewer cars on the street means fewer potholes and deterioration, which could cause fewer repairs and a better driving experience.
- More Community
People are more likely to meet and converse with each other if a community is walkable and friendly to pedestrian traffic. This causes togetherness in a community, which would benefit Hutchinson as it would grow a form of togetherness.
A brighter, more connected future is available for Hutchinson. As we look for ways to improve our future, returning to the basics of walkability is a vital way for our community to improve and make a better tomorrow.
Michael Glenn is the publisher of The Hutchinson Tribune and can be reached at mglenn@hutchtribune.com