Re: “Making Pike Place Market car-free gains traction but worries vendors” [Dec. 14, Business]:
The beloved brick plaza within Pike Place Market does need to respond to overuse and congestion.
City squares I have visited in Italy and Belgium allow deliveries and access for merchants but restrict casual traffic and long-term parking in favor of pedestrians.
A simple solution would be staffed gates with friendly and wise attendants — vegetables, crafts and flowers allowed in; tourist traffic not so. Day-stall users need to park in the garage — fee waived, of course.
It might also help if Stewart Street and Pine Street were one-way eastbound, making the Market one way overall. But do make it better.
James Peterson, Seattle