DOWNTOWN CROSSING – A silver BMW with Massachusetts plates drives down Winter Street and makes a left onto Washington Street Maneuvering between the pedestrians, the young driver slows down. It is illegal to drive on Washington Street, Winter Street or Summer Street because they are pedestrian only streets but the policeman in the booth a block away didn’t enforce the rule."I’m just going to park out here," the BMW driver Mike said. He quickly drove away after a reporter told him what he was doing was illegal.
"He got lucky," Downtown Crossing store employee said.
The fine is $100 ticket for those driving through illegally.
Randi Lathrop, Boston Redevelopment Authority project manager, said the police is in charge of enforcing the rules that no cars without a permit enter those streets.
The Authority is negotiating a plan to make the area around One Franklin a pedestrian zone by leveling the streets and getting rid of the sidewalk and expanding the current pedestrian zone.
Jessica Shumaker, a spokeswoman for the BRA, said because sidewalks still exist, pedestrians are hesitant to walk on the streets, which then encourages cars to drive on the streets.
"The project is more than just a pedestrian destination for shoppers," Shumaker said referring to the One Franklin redevelopment project. "We are looking to attract new retailers."
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Shumaker said the majority of businesses are supporting the plan, but businesses question how deliveries will be handled.Lathrop said businesses will have to change how they operate. Deliveries will have to happen during certain times, before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
The Authority plans to install electronic bollards, series of posts preventing vehicles from entering an area, that will allow only for deliveries during certain times and emergency vehicles.
While the BRA finishes the design, a date of completion has not been set. Shumaker said goal is to start the project before the new One Franklin redevelopment project is completed in 2012.
Because there are three stops around the Downtown Crossing, Shumaker said the project won’t create a problem of too many people using public transportation.
"I don’t see it impacting the T negatively," she said.
Mr. Begirone, cashier for the Garage at Rowes Wharf, said the plan to make the area pedestrian only is a good idea. He said many people walk in Downtown Crossing and often do not see the cars.
"It is my view it doesn’t affect the garage; it affects the people who work in Downtown Crossing," Begirone said.
Pi Alley Parking Garage, at 275 Washington St, refused to comment on how it could affect their business.
"I don’t think we’ll be affected at all," said Seanna Weiss, Macy’s aesthetician. She said she sees a lot of cars driving through illegally.