This Area in St. Cloud Was Much More User Friendly Before

This might be an unpopular opinion and a "hot take" that not everyone will appreciate.  But, I think it was more user friendly, and gave much more area to have some events where you can just walk around without worry about any vehicles in the area.

I remember when I was in college in the early 90s, late 80s, early 90s, St. Germain street downtown St. Cloud was considered the "Mall on St. Germain" and it was closed off to traffic.  And it has gone back and forth a couple of times.

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I even remember the pay phone that used to be right outside of where the Press Bar and Parlor used to be.  Now that would be right in the middle of the road.  It was convenient back in a day when none of us had cell phones.  There were a few people with "car phones" but that was about the extent of that.  Pay phone right downtown was a very convenient thing to have.  But anyway, no one needs that anymore.

But it was nice to be able to walk around on St. Germain and not have to worry about anyone in a car in the same area.

It would be great during events that happen in the downtown area.  You could even have some vendor events all over that area during the summer months.  Even a farmers market could move from the parking lot over to that area.  The list of things that could happen in that area if no cars were running through there is kind of endless.

Now, since there are 3 ramps and a couple of parking lots, there really is plenty of parking other than using the street.  Even if it was only closed off for the first couple of blocks closer to 5th Avenue.  It would be great.  But of course, that is just my opinion.  What do you think?  Do you remember when it was closed off?

St Cloud remembered.