How to Sell Something Really Unpopular
I wish we'd stop falling for this.
5/22/20213 min read
Say the opposite of what you mean
The pandemic hit and the city created the temporary Open Streets program to alleviate the isolation. At first, there was a proof of concept phase. In Jackson Heights, people liked our 34th Avenue Open Street so much that volunteer groups formed to set up and take down the barricades. The ongoing popularity led to lengthening of our Open Street from 69th to Junction Blvd, over a mile in length, the longest in the city. In early May, the city council votes to make the Open Streets program permanent. The Department of Transportation is tasked to plan permanent physical changes to the street. What could go wrong?
Space in the city is a zero sum game. You give more for people to walk, ride, or play on, and you’re taking it away from cars. Less parking, specifically. Let’s say you’re all about your car and don’t want to lose any parking spots or be inconvenienced by moving a barrier to get to your garage. You don’t like the Open Street, period. Let’s say your point of view is massively in the minority. What do you do?
You say “Compromise” – a nice bland, harmonious word. All you want to do is meet in the middle. No one would listen to you if you said that your sole interest is retaining parking, though. So don’t ever mention it! Make up a bunch of bogus reasons! How about these:
1 - Don't take precious seconds away from emergency responders!
4 - Possibly the lamest excuse - the traffic barriers could fall over.
Perhaps killing an innocent, innocent baby whose mother carelessly let them crawl around on an open street. Murderers!
3 - Think of the oldies, you heartless bastards...
2 - People Walking, Biking, and Playing Disturb My Peace & Quiet! (perhaps consider moving to a retirement community in Florida)
The elements of your "compromise" really give away the game. Shorten the open street! Weekends Only! Cut the hours down! Allow driving on one side of the street! Eliminate the open streets in bad weather! But really, you just mean “No”.
I particularly love this one - the average length of is about six blocks. Our open street - 34th Avenue - is successful and well-used. The argument is: rather than emulate a successful experiment, get rid of the outlier!
Here’s a in-depth look at the issue: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/05/21/fake-compromise-the-34th-avenue-open-street-fight-is-about-entitlement-and-grievance/
34th Ave in Days of Yore – Parking was Not Allowed!
