Second – and this is merely a personal reaction, no offense intended – for all its historical significance, much of Sparks is aesthetically displeasing. The median makes it seem narrower than it is and somewhat claustrophobic – a feeling exacerbated by the fact that the street seems to be cast in shadow alot of the time. Is it possible that something so simple could be to blame – not for the origin of Sparks’ stagnation, of course, but for the street’s failure to rebound in what is a time of relative prosperity?

I agree that light rail at grade can enhance the liveliness and urban feel of a relatively bleak area (e.g. the West End District in Dallas), but my worry would be that Sparks-with-LRT might look more like Calgary’s 7th Ave than Stephen Ave, if you know what I mean.

The problem with streets like Sparks is that pedestrianization was an attempt at revitalization. It was a superficial attempt to save a dying main street. Of course, the real reasons why the street was dying were not addressed, so it continued to fade into obsolescence despite the pedestrianization.

I think Ken’s suggestions are good. Sparks Street could also look to Stephen Avenue in Calgary, which was a similarly failed pedestrian street until it was redesigned in the mid-90s. The city subsidized the restoration of the historic buildings along it, which attracted trendy restaurants, which were followed by new retail outlets. When I was growing up it was dead; now it’s absolutely packed during weekdays.