One Way Today
© 2023 Luke T. Bush PLATTSBURGH CITY, NY
Back in the mid-1970s the first mall opened in Plattsburgh Town. JCPenney & Montgomery Ward, major stores in downtown Plattsburgh City, abandoned the area to go where the action was. After that there were plenty of open parking spaces on the streets.
The city left in the coin fed parking meters which didn’t help since the mall offered free parking. The response to compete with the mall was to widen the sidewalks (making the area look more empty) and also to convert Margaret Street to one way.
Years later the one way change proved to be inconvenient and Margaret was returned to its original traffic flow. With all the one way streets it was difficult to give directions to someone seeking a downtown shop. One had to remember with which streets were one way or partially two way. It was easier to tell someone to take a right turn and go to the mall.
With the recent upgrades to Margaret Street one section has been converted to one way from Court to Brinkerhoff streets. What is confusing is that those streets are two way for one block before changing into one way. Add this new one way section and giving directions to a downtown business is even more difficult. So don’t be surprised when Margaret Street is completely returned to two way traffic.
Those who don’t learn from history are doomed.
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