Streets, not amenities, will leave impressions

Visualize the multitude of visitors arriving at the new convention center, the amphitheater, the refurbished Paramount Theatre or the many attractions our re-revitalized downtown area will soon offer.

The first impression visitors will have of the city will not be of an attraction, but will likely be of their travel to get there. Years ago, I went to Chicago to sightsee. What remains in my memory are not the sights but the disastrous streets and freeways.

If visitors to our city miss speed camera warnings, their observations are likely focused on dodging potholes, bouncing and weaving among raised patches of asphalt or counting the cracks with each tire rotation.

I have always heard that first impressions are a vital selling point. Maybe it's time to bring back the electric buses or those lovable cable car buses as we ain't going to impress them with the streets! The street budgets for the last several decades seem to have gone the way of the cable cars.

Ronald Boyer

Cedar Rapids