Another Section of Allen Street Mall Opens to Public

Allen Street Mall is finally all growns up. Ready to swim in the deep end, if you will. Three years of non-stop pavement busting, construction barriers, and myriad headaches are in the past. At least the median mid-section between Hester and Delancey Streets.

Even though the bike paths and crosswalk areas have been open for weeks, select sections of the paved walkways were still off limits. As of this past weekend, though, the full shebang is operational. Oh, and the decorative lampposts are gone, replaced instead with the rather bland futuristic light fixtures.

The bolted-down street furniture of varying colors is definitely a hit with the locals. Normal is the sight of early-risers reading the morning paper, or older Chinese women collecting at night for gossip and games.

Meanwhile, the Pike Street leg near Madison remains in limbo.

How do you feel about the upgraded Allen Street Mall?