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Sacramento prepares to launch a parklets pilot program Sidewalks are for people. Streets are for cars. But this traditional interpretation of by urban mechanics is getting kicked to the Alastair Bland curb as Sacramento and other cities across the continent introduce a new type of public space called the parklet. This is essentially an extension of the sidewalk that provides public seating for pedestrians in what was previously space reserved for vehicles. San Francisco innovated the concept several years ago and now has almost 40 parklets, where people gather as they might at a sidewalk cafe. New York City, Philadelphia, Montreal, Vancouver and other cities have followed suit with similar programs. Davis, too, has a parklet on E Street. Now, it’s Sacramento’s turn. City officials are talking about giving parklets a test run sometime this fall as pedestrian and cycling advocacy groups, as well as downtown businesses, beat drums of support. Rob Archie, the owner of Pangaea Two Brews Cafe in Curtis Park, is a parklet advocate and believes such open-air-seating sites will have a net benefit on the environment and economy by motivating people to leave their cars. “[Parklets] are an awesome, creative way to use space and encourage people to walk and ride bikes,” said Archie. A few people have raised concerns that parklets will needlessly steal parking places from drivers and would-be shoppers—but Archie feels that simple math squashes such naysayer arguments. “If you can satisfy 20 people and give them a place to sit and hang out in a space that fits one parked car, it’s just common sense,” he said. In other cities, parklet programs are working well through a system that has private businesses pay for the parklet while allowing the space to be used by anyone— whether or not they patronize the adjacent business. This has had dramatic effects on streetscapes in some cases, creating thriving gathering spots in locations that were previously relatively dead. At least one parklet in San Francisco was paid for by a homeowner, who now uses the furnished space as his not-soprivate front yard, sharing with neighbors and passersby what was once a precious parking spot. Another parklet at Union Square was paid for by an Audi dealership, cost $890,000, is two blocks long, and offers free public Wi-Fi. Long Beach in Southern California is generally named among the cities installing parklets—except that there, parklets are the private property of the supporting business, for the sole use of restaurant patrons. B E F O R E | N E W S | F E AT U R E
Small patios called parklets overtook regular car-parking spots on 20th Street near the MARRS building on September 20. Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District partnered for the event.
While Sacramento’s stance on parklets are talking about offering small grants to In Sacramento, Brown believes city does not seem, at first glance, to be a support the projects. Parklets will create planners will increasingly heed the voices cycling-related issue, Jim Brown says it destination points in locations that people of nondrivers. He says Americans are still most certainly is. currently may walk, pedal or drive right by. emerging from an era “where we were “By turning a parking space into a They will also serve as a traffic-calming obsessed with cars and the efficiency of public space, you’re reinforcing the point measure, Winkler said. moving things around in cars.” that the street is not only for cars,” said Ali Youssefi, the vice president of CFY Parklets could mark a significant Brown, the executive director of the Development Inc., is among those ready turning point in city management and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. “This and willing to install a parklet outside a design. Surveys and studies have shown is a very important philosophical concept business—in this case, in front of a 116-unit that American adults age 30 and younger that can increase the safety of cyclists, apartment complex on R Street between increasingly wish to live in bicycle-friendly reminding people that the road isn’t only 11th and 12th streets, that Youssefi expects cities, and there is evidence that people for single-occupant vehicles.” to be opened late next year. He notes that navigating an urban area on bikes or on On October 15, the Sacramento City anti-parklet campaigns should not, in foot spend more money at neighborhood Council will officially take up the matter, theory, be a problem. businesses. according to Councilman Steve Hansen, What’s more, Americans are spending who hopes to see parklets become a part of less time at the wheel—a downward trend “By turning a parking the Sacramento streetscape. that started about five years ago, accordHe says the first step will be to launch ing to data from the U.S. Department of space into a public a pilot program, which would allow six to Transportation. space, you’re eight businesses to temporarily cordon off “Parklets are going to accelerate this a small space of pavement in front of their change,” Brown said. reinforcing the point properties and fit it with seats and tables for WalkSacramento is also in favor of that the street is not public use. If the concept proves beneficial a future with parklets. Teri Duarte, the to the environment, economy and commupedestrian-advocacy group’s executive only for cars.” nity, the council would consider granting director, says parklets will bring life and Jim Brown long-term—though revocable—permits to vitality to streets, create destinations for executive director allow the parklets to remain in place. visitors, promote commerce and cash flow Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates Whether the drinking of alcohol will and help to reclaim the streets as public be permitted in the parklets is yet to be space. She says that allowing individual discussed, Hansen said. San Francisco, for “Parklets are community driven, businesses to fund, create and manage one, does not allow drinking in its parklets. supported by residents, local business each parklet will ensure that the spaces are Matt Winkler, with the city’s parking owners and property managers, so it’s hard creative and colorful. division, is helping lead the parklet push. to have any opposition,” he said. At Pangaea, Archie said he’s ready to He says that parklets will need to meet But San Francisco has encountered a make parklets a reality. several criteria, including not significantly few parklet problems. Officials revoked the “If it was just a money issue, I’d pay for impacting an area’s parking capacity and permit entirely of a parklet on Haight Street [a parklet] myself right now,” he said. “This also not discouraging people from visiting after the space fell into disarray, tarnished doesn’t need to be overthought. I’ve seen an area. Winkler expects benefits to far by vagrants, trash and overall neighborhood the city overthink too many good things outweigh costs. dissent. In other areas of San Francisco, based on what they’re afraid of happening Business owners, he points out, will parking-starved drivers have cried out rather than what they want to happen. This pay for the venues, though city planners against parklets. is a simple idea. Let’s do it.” Ω S T O R Y | A R T S & C U L T U R E | A F T E R | 10.03.13 | SN&R | 9