I don't believe the boulevard will necessarily hinder pedestrian connectivity. There are many examples of boulevards around the world. Many are significantly wider than ours. For example, Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires, Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin, and of course the most famous of all, the Champs-Élysées in Paris. None have created a barrier; each has promoted density; and, each is crowded with pedestrians.

The difference is that these were designed to promote the flow of pedestrians - auto traffic flow was not the singular goal. Instead of becoming barriers, they have become focal points of their respective areas. They have attracted dense commercial and residential development and have become tourist attractions on their own.

Ours could be the same. Granted, it may take 50 years or more for OKC to develop around this boulevard. But, it could be the cornerstone to long-term development. A tree-lined boulevard with extra-wide easements (perhaps 50' on each side) capable of accommodating sidewalk cafes, galleries, & street performers would enhance our civic image and become a regional attraction. Its ample sidewalks could host small events such as book sales, food festivals, and art shows. It could also become the primary street for parades and expositions. And, it will encourage east-west development of the downtown area. Rather than impeding pedestrian flow, it would enhance it. Perhaps in the future, a streetcar line might run down the middle of the new boulevard further enhancing pedestrian access.

If badly designed, the boulevard will indeed slice up the downtown area and possibly cut-off the south end of the park. But this will also happen with poor zoning, building codes, etc. It should be built, and built well. It should be among the anchors of a long-term vision for the entire downtown core.