A New Urbanism failure story
Consider this breaking news story:
A sport utility vehicle struck Agatucci’s Restaurant about noon Monday after colliding initially with a pickup truck near North University Street and West Gift Avenue.
The woman who reportedly was driving the SUV did not require immediate medical attention.
And unlike a run-in involving a police car in 1996, the restaurant at 2607 N. University St. seemed to be in good shape.
How is this a failure of New Urbanism, promoted by so many as a cure for the decline of Peoria’s neighborhoods?
Just look at the joint! The building is right up against the sidewalk and the parking lot is in the back, just like New Urbanists like.
I’m thinking that if the parking lot was in the front, this wouldn’t have happened. Instead, the building is within a few feet of the traffic on a busy intersection on the busiest street in Peoria. It might as well be an automobile magnet.
End tongue in cheek.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
