Quilt Show turns Cascade Avenue into pedestrian mall

For just one day, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show turned Cascade Avenue into a pedestrian mall.

Closing Cascade Avenue was an attempt to make the show more pleasant for both pedestrians and drivers - who were routed around town. It is also a test of an idea that has been floating around Sisters for at least a decade.

Many concepts have been floated and later shot down for changing the traffic circulation in Sisters. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) believes that the first step in resolving the traffic problem is to establish a couplet, which would consist of two one-way streets working in tandem to ease Sisters' traffic flow.

There have been varying suggestions as to where a couplet should be placed. The idea that has emerged most commonly is the Main Avenue and Cascade Avenue couplet. Another choice touted from time to time has been a Hood Avenue and Main Avenue couplet, leaving Cascade Avenue either a two-way street in the middle or closing it to traffic to make a pedestrian mall.

The debate has shown that no matter what choice is made, some will not like it. A major weaknesses of all arguments, both for and against, is that there has been no experience on which to draw. Discussions have been based either upon fears or hopes.

This year's quilt show provided a working example to locals and tourists of how Cascade Avenue could function as a pedestrian mall.

Crowds easily visible from as far away as the elementary school were flowing up and down the boulevard. The number of people was surprisingly large; however, the space was adequate, and there were no human traffic jams as had happened in the past when people were confined to the sidewalks. The absence of traffic noise allowed the strains of the various musicians to float through the air.

An ambulance was parked on Cascade Avenue near Bronco Billy's. The crowd flowed around it like water around a rock in a stream.

"This is one of the busiest days of the year (for the paramedics). It is nice to be able to park right in the middle of the street and have good access to the buildings," said Jay Crawford, a paramedic with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

James Allen Boraas, owner of Sisters Carpet Cleaning, was walking down the center of Cascade Avenue looking at the buildings.

"This is the only time of the year, other than in the middle of winter, when you can walk on Cascade and really see the buildings," he said.

Connie Fink was here for her fourth quilt show traveling from Lodi, California.

"I think it is so great. I didn't have to dodge the cars and trucks anymore. I hope they do it next year. It makes the town feel much more open and accessible. When you see a quilt or business that interests you, you can just go to it," she said.

DeWitt Kennard came with his wife all the way from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

"It (Sisters) is a really quaint town. We do the same thing in Carolina and close the streets for events and fairs. We considered closing the street permanently but decided against it, but we are a much larger town and don't have parking. Parking is really the key. People don't mind walking if they can park not too far away. It makes it just like a giant outdoor mall and shoppers like that," he said.

Kennard's sentiment was echoed by numerous visitors and local folks. Most agreed that the key is to provide adequate parking so that the avenue could be enjoyed as a pedestrian mall.

Bill Mintiens, of Sisters Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED), was riding his bicycle down the center of Cascade Avenue, stopping here or there as something caught his fancy. He said, "It was great to see friendly, relaxed tourists strolling down the middle of Cascade Avenue today.

"I think it was a wonderful decision by the city. Consideration should be given to closing it permanently, creating a pedestrian-only area with an outdoor performance arts center, etcetera."

Barbara Johnson was attending her third Quilt Show in Sisters, coming from Dallas, Texas.

"It is so much better this year with Main Street (Cascade) closed. It makes the town very welcoming. It makes you want to stay...."

Should Cascade Avenue become a permanent pedestrian mall? Let The Nugget know at http://www.nuggetnews.com or e-mail [email protected]