Randy Rowse needs to explain how opening State Street to vehicles will benefit downtown businesses. People don't cruise the streets looking for a business; they search on their phones.
People driving up and down State Street don't patronize businesses, pedestrians do. And pedestrians need a reason to visit the downtown, a pleasant atmosphere as well as mutually supportive retail and dining.
There may be nostalgia for the business environment before internet shopping, but the best — and perhaps only — hope for creating a lively and appealing downtown is a street with increased outdoor dining opportunities. Instead, the city seems to be doing the opposite, by imposing increased costs and restrictions on outdoor dining opportunities.