M.W. Newman’s review of the new Crate & Barrel store at the corner of North and Clybourn Avenues (Tempo, Aug. 19) missed a significant and important deficiency in the design of the new store, regarding its impact on this already traffic-clogged intersection.
Although situated directly across from a subway station and at the intersection of three bus lines, Crate & Barrel turns its back–or at least its doors–to this mass-transit convenience. Amazingly there is no entrance at this busy corner. People trying to enter on foot must walk around the corner and a long way down the block to the parking lot, where they can finally see an entrance.
The design discourages people from walking or using public transportation; instead, it encourages them to drive. The building may be decent architecture, but it is poor urban planning.
