Make Blackstone Avenue fitness-friendly
As a public-health student, I read with interest, “Fresno mayor takes new approach to boosting Blackstone Avenue” on Sept. 20.
I applaud Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Claudia Ruiz in planning for revitalization of Blackstone with mixed-use projects. But if Blackstone is the “spine” of our city, I’d like to see it built with health as a priority.
Whether we want to admit it or not, over 40 percent of Fresnans are overweight – that’s nearly double the state’s rate – what can the Fresno leadership do about it?
Show me roadways built wide enough to serve as shared safe space for both pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation – not just cars.
Build Fresnans apartments where they can live, cycle to work, walk to the dentist and go downstairs to shop or get produce from the farmers market.
Show me a Blackstone, a Fresno, that prioritizes health – because when we put health first, our people live longer and more productive lives, our air is cleaner and our economy thrives.
Soniya Mehra, Fresno
This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 11:13 AM with the headline "Make Blackstone Avenue fitness-friendly."