I read last Sunday's editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade," and couldn't agree more.

I have thought this for years, but the events over the last year have just accentuated this need.

I’m a Madison Metro Transit bus driver. I and many other Metro Transit employees believe the buses should be pulled off State Street.

It would definitely be a much better and more entertaining environment for State Street. It would also alleviate some of the logistic challenges of our bus system. That goes into improving service and safety. It can be challenging for both pedestrians and drivers.

Yes, Madison should take buses and cabs off of State Street to create an outdoor walking mall with cafes, vendors and public art.

That would be amazing. I would go every single day.

I think last Sunday's editorial suggesting we close State Street in Madison to buses minimized the role that State Street plays in efficient Metro Transit bus service.

I have been on the transportation commission for a long time and respect the schedulers as well as the many riders who depend on buses getting through Downtown quickly to make transfers.

Thank you for last Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade."

I love this idea. This seems like a wonderful time to create an outside walking mall.

I wholeheartedly agree that buses and cabs should be taken off State Street. I love the idea of a promenade.

Kathleen Cullen, Madison

I agree with last Sunday's editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade." I've been thinking this for years.

I'm very familiar with the pedestrian mall in Burlington, Vermont. It's a great and fun experience with a variety of kiosks, music and plenty of room for cafes. That would be perfect for State Street in Madison. Plenty of parking is off side streets, and municipal lots are nearby and convenient.

I totally agree with eliminating bus traffic on State Street and transforming it into a lovely pedestrian friendly walk way, like Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. It would make a huge and positive difference for the Downtown businesses and for tourism in Madison,.

One of my favorite photos is of my daughter sitting in front of one of the beautiful flower gardens on Pearl Street in Boulder. We visit there annually and enjoy the red brick walkway, shops, gardens, food, musicians and more. It is always very clean and well-maintained.

I read last Sunday's State Journal editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade." I concur 100%.

I believe removing the buses and cabs from State Street and creating an outdoor walking mall is an excellent idea.

I have spent a couple of nice afternoons on State Street, spending tourism dollars. Last Sunday's State Journal editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade," was very insightful.

It is interesting how diverse the demographics of business ownership on State Street are. People own businesses to support their families. These families are community members, volunteers and friends.

State Street could become a regional jewel by removing all traffic and allow it to transfer into a grand promenade, as last Sunday's State Journal editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade," suggested.

It would provide many more business opportunities to thrive and be more of a destination than it is right now. It's time the city realizes State Street's full potential.

Yes! I am absolutely in favor of transforming State Street in Madison into a permanent pedestrian promenade. It is a low cost way to promote and energize our city center.

I've lived in Madison for most of my 45 years and have always loved events that close some blocks of the street for community events. During those times, I've often thought "Why don't we do this all the time?" And who isn't annoyed or scared by the buses roaring past as we try to dine outside and support our local, vibrant businesses?

I do agree with last Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal editorial on converting State Street into an outside park, art, entertainment and restaurant area in Madison.

Why would a taxi or bus need to drive down State Street? They still have the end of the blocks to drop off. I have lived in Colorado. I am very familiar with Pearl Street, which is the kind of pedestrian mall State Street could become.

I used to work near Wall Street in New York City. The streets were made into promenades at lunch time.

It was great to see people walking to get lunch or to shop. It would be great for State Street in Madison to do this for all or part of the day.

Since I first visited Madison in 1987, I was impressed with State Street and wished vehicles were not allowed.

How wonderful if it could finally become a pedestrian-friendly mall.

My husband and I lived in Longmont, Colorado, for 15 years before moving to Sun Prairie seven years ago to be closer to our grandchildren.

Boulder, Colorado, was only a short 10 minute drive from Longmont, and we went there often. Pearl Street was a fun destination any time of year, but especially in the summer when street musicians and buskers were performing. Several times a year the city would hold art or craft fairs on the Pearl Street mall.

I agree 100% that State Street should be a pedestrian mall.

This is something that should have been done years ago. We do not need buses and taxis there at all. Delivery trucks could have access until 10 a.m. daily.

Turning State Street into a pedestrian mall is long overdue.

But people, including me, won't come unless the city can get a grip on the violence. 

Taking buses and cabs off of State Street would be an improvement to help jump start businesses during this pandemic.

Let’s bring this beautiful area of Madison forward. Businesses can use it to attract people, and they will come to shop, eat and more -- with no traffic and plenty of open space.

My brothers live in Burlington, Vermont, and the Church Street pedestrian mall is just wonderful.

Converting State Street into a similar setting is a no-brainer. It would attract visitors and talented retailers and restaurants and taverns in a safe and well-decorated environment.

State Street must transform to survive.

As a Madison native, resident of the 400 block in the 1980s, and member of the State Street Design Committee in the 2000s, I write with years of study and conviction behind this critical next step.

We should absolutely transform State Street in Madison into a pedestrian promenade. 

The post-COVID-19 world will at least partially embrace being outside on a more regular basis. The buses add nothing and can be re-routed with little additional cost or delay.

I think transforming State Street into a pedestrian promenade is an absolutely wonderful idea.

My husband and I live on Lake Monona but have not been to Downtown Madison for over a year. This improvement will get us Downtown for sure.

We've been sending letters like this to Madison mayors since 2002: Please take the buses and police vehicles (except in emergencies) off State Street from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.

The noise, gas fumes and congestion reduce the attraction of the street for exercising, shopping and socializing. The current arrangement with buses and police vehicles on State Street confines people to very narrow sidewalks that inhibit comfortable walking, relaxed shopping, and outdoor dining. Please put officers on foot and bicycle.

I grew up in Monona and graduated from UW-Madison. Go, Badgers!

I have lived in Colorado since 1984. One my family’s favorite places to go is the Pearl Street Mall, which is the most common place in Boulder, Colorado, for people to shop, eat, watch performers, and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere.

Thank you for last Sunday's State Journal editorial, "Transform State St. into promenade." What a beautiful idea.

Though I no longer live in Madison, I think the best years of my life were spent there in the 1940s, '50s and early '60s. State Street was always the place to go. Since then, I have lived in many places around the world, and the best places were always those with a vibrant pedestrian mall.