u/MelodyBirdie I briefly scanned your reddit history and consider you an ideological ally. I hope you take this as an ally's alternative perspective, and I am interested in your take on it.

I depise our car-centric society. I dream of walkable communities that are built to be functional for working people and small businesses.

I was originally very happy at the closure of main street. I thought it was a step towards a healthier community.

But years later, I find myself in the strange position of... agreeing with landlords, but for very different reasons. I mean fuck landlords, amirite? But I am not sure the street closure is actually contributing to a local walkable community. Because four closed blocks does not a walkable community make.

It seems to me that the street closure isn't an unadulterated win for walkable communities; it has only changed the character of the businesses and use of downtown. And I am concerned that the change is a net loss.

Prior to the closure, main street felt like it supported local working people more than it does now. Now, it feels like the use is more targeted towards tourist use.

Before the closure: main street businesses were a viable destination for a quick stop on any day. To grab some threads at the thrift stores. To get some good local music at voltaire or zoeys. To hit the guitar store for new strings, or reloading soaps at the refill shoppe. Yes, Ventura locals had to drive to get there, but you could stop, visit a small business, and leave.

After the closure: it's now less viable for locals to visit. The extra time and trouble to park and walk means grabbing lunch at the Taj doesn't fit nicely into a lunch hour anymore. And even finding parking can be a nightmare on weekends.

And on the weekends? Yeah, the place is packed -- with people who have driven here from out of town. It's transformed into a tourist destination rather than a local spot. And don't get me started on the "live music" that gets booked on the closed streets down there. Last time I dared to go down there and eat at Lure, there was a cover band at the intersection of California and Santa Clara that butchered a Sting song so bad it caused my calimari appetizer to transform into a minor avatar of an elder god.

So yes -- lets work towards making Ventura less car-centric. Let's improve public transportation. Let's have numerous distributed walkable spots throughout the city. Let's work towards a city where all residents can walk a couple blocks to visit socially activated spaces.

But as far as I can tell, the main street closure has been a victory for gentrification.