main street research project - Academic Technology Center ...

Main Street at night.
It is a common perception that as you travel further down Main Street towards South Street,
lighting becomes more infrequent, and thus the street becomes more uninviting. However, light
posts are actually numerous and very evenly dispersed along Main Street. The main problem
with street lighting is actually its lack of impact along the
street.
Figure 3-10: Light Post Along the
Commons
visibility. He stated that his customers felt very safe
walking around the restaurant and to their cars at night.
Positive feelings like this are what bring more customers to
the downtown area at night and therefore increase
businesses‘ success. The light-posts used the downtown
area are very aesthetically pleasing, as viewed in Figure 3-
10, and create a bright atmosphere along the Common since
they are properly tended to in order to ensure the light is
not blocked.
As you travel further down the street, the store fronts start to
become less noticeable. This is not because there is no street
lighting, but because of the trees and foliage obstructing the
lights themselves. This creates lack of proper lighting, as the
light is being lost within trees and is not actually illuminating
the street below. Without proper lighting, Main Street visitors
are not drawn to the vibrant store signs. Due to the blocked
street lights in front of certain businesses, these places miss out
on potential customers. People choose locations that stand out
over those which look dark and gloomy. However, with proper
tree pruning, Main Street will glow and attract those customers
who currently miss opportunities.
It is important to notice the difference in care taken towards
street lights on different
parts of Main Street. One
restaurant owner along
the Commons cited no
concerns from his
customers in reference to
problems with street
The same restaurant owner added that his customers have
stated that they feel uncomfortable parking their cars
further from the restaurant due to their own perceptions of
Figure 3-11: Light Post Blocked by Tree
Branches
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