Letter: Simple street planning is better, safer

Regarding the June 26 article 'Two-way frustration: One-way conversion hits a snag”:

The part 'but as traffic declined, city leaders decided a few years ago to return streets to two-way travel to make downtown more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists and create a safer atmosphere that would be better for shopping” jumped out at me.

As far as I can determine, traffic declined because Cedar Rapids has made driving in downtown Cedar Rapids such a frustrating experience that I have yet to hear from anyone who is OK with the mess the city has made of that area.

I will not choose to do anything in that area if it is not absolutely necessary. I have talked with many others that agree that they no longer feel welcome or safe driving or parking in this conglomeration of crazy city planning. What is wrong with the idea that simpler is better and safer?

Connie Ondracek

Blairstown