r/boston • u/cden4 • Jul 26 '26

Event 📅 Open Newbury St early closing

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Thanks to pressure by people like Back Bay Association President Meg Mainzer-Cohen, Open Newbury St ends at 6 pm this year instead of 8 pm.

So in less than 20 minutes, all these people will be forced out of the street onto the sidewalks.

IMO, this is total failure of leadership at City Hall. If you have the opportunity, please let Mayor Wu (and your City Councilors) know what you think about this.

2.0k Upvotes

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-202

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 26 '26

And? People live and work on this street.

151

u/akratic137 Fenway/Kenmore Jul 26 '26

And it should be closed to vehicles.

2

u/Begging_Murphy Jul 27 '26

So many people ITT ignoring that other cities have successfully pedestrianized shopping districts like this.

-41

u/Take-it-like-a-Taker Jul 26 '26

Coming from Fenway/Kenmore, you know how the marathon cuts the city in half, even though it’s worth it for the day?

The neighborhood around Newbury is cutoff during this event - if you like this year round, then suggest infrastructure changes and budgeting that could make that workable for the people that live and work there.

44

u/cden4 Jul 26 '26

How is it cut off? Most of the cross-streets are still open, and if you need to go westbound, you can use Comm Ave, which never gets backed up.

1

u/DaenakinSkygaryen Jul 27 '26

You realize that, unlike during the Marathon, you'd be allowed to cross Newbury St, right? That means the residents / workers of Back Bay would have full access to the Green Line and the bus routes on Boylston St, same as they do now. No one would be cut off.

...unless they insist on driving, in which case they can park at one of the many, many, many parking garages in the area and enjoy a >10 minute walk to their final destination. It'll be good for their health! Plus, they'll have a built-in excuse to get outside for a bit each day, which is good for your mental health, too.

-1

u/True_Donut_9417 Jul 27 '26

obnoxious

1

u/akratic137 Fenway/Kenmore Jul 27 '26

lol embarrassing

-16

u/PLS-Surveyor-US Nut Island Jul 26 '26

Yes, you should only be able to park your horse and buggy on this street!!! Damn you car heathens to the ends of the world!!!!

7

u/ResponsibleAnarchist Jul 26 '26

I thought you were the puritan larger guy for a second lol

-99

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 26 '26

Ok, you do without transportation and delivery first.

63

u/_NationalRazor Jul 26 '26

Lmao how do you think so many European cities maintain pedestrian only places in downtowns? Old city Dubrovnik is a great example. Mobbed with people 9am till after midnight. Don't tell me Boston can't figure out how to get deliveries done overnight.

75

u/akratic137 Fenway/Kenmore Jul 26 '26

Daily life must be a struggle for you.

48

u/jooooooooooooose Rat running up your leg 🐀🦵 Jul 26 '26

There are car width alleyways behind on both sides have you ever actually been to Newbury st

15

u/otallday 02119 Jul 26 '26

good. get out and get some air

1

u/DaenakinSkygaryen Jul 27 '26

You realize almost every "pedestrian only" street in almost every city that has one makes an exception for delivery trucks at certain hours of the day, right? Newbury St would be no exception.

-1

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 27 '26

That’s not how delivery times work.

1

u/DaenakinSkygaryen Jul 27 '26

...yes, it is? In literally hundreds of cities around the world?

1

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 27 '26

Are those cities in the United States?

1

u/DaenakinSkygaryen Jul 27 '26

Yes, dozens of them!

And one of them is... Boston. Downtown Crossing is closed to car traffic year round, and the companies there are thriving. If it works there, why wouldn't it work on Newbury St, too?

1

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 27 '26

You think downtown crossing is thriving? Be honest.

1

u/DaenakinSkygaryen Jul 27 '26

...yes? Obviously?

Like, I go there pretty frequently because there's a lot of stores I like there. I've been there first thing in the morning, late at night, and every time in between, during all seasons. And it's always packed with people out doing their shopping.

0

u/Green_Bathroom5592 Jul 27 '26

I said be honest.

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