Making Sidewalks Sparkle

Arlington County is moving forward with plans to allow sidewalk kiosks:

"Kiosks really animate pedestrian zones," Fisette said. "They help create an interesting experience for a person walking."

He has taken photos of kiosks in Burlington, Vt., and noted "wonderful little kiosks" in South Africa last year. Some sold food, others arts and crafts or coffee or flowers. Others rented sports equipment, such as in-line skates or bicycles, provided information or sold tickets.

I've always wondered why you need exact change to get a newspaper at a box outside a Metro station when places like New York City have newsstands outside (or even inside) subway stations. And instead of kiosks for TKTS, we're stuck with fold-out tables featuring people hawking $2 t-shirts.

The Arlington County Planning Commission is supposed to hold a hearing on the proposal in July, though the July meeting agenda is not yet available. In the meantime, you can submit your feedback online.