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May 7 – May 13, 2021 Volume LXXXVII, Issue 92
Santa Monica City Council Gives Green Light to Pursue Main Street Closures Lawmakers instruct staff to develop proposal that would close Main Street to vehicles on weekends By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica’s Main Street may soon be open only for foot traffic on weekends. “Some people think that this is an absolute disaster and others think it’s going to be the best thing since sex,” said Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown about a recently approved plan that would close Main Street to traffic on weekends. “The reality is it’s probably going to be something in between.” McKeown was speaking at an April 27 meeting where Council unanimously approved a motion that calls on city staff to develop a pilot program for the temporary weekend closures of Main Street to automobiles and bus traffic. According to Councilmember Gleam Davis, the motion’s co-author, the partial closures would be limited to two to three blocks. Davis, speaking at the meeting, cited similar ideas in other cities, including State Street, Santa Barbara and three blocks in Munich, Germany where Davis said “retail revenues increased by about 200 percent and restaurant revenues increased by about 300 percent. People love these open streets.” Councilmember Christine Parra, who also co-authored the motion, explained the goal of the proposal, known as Al Fresco 2.0, is to help local businesses while facilitating a safe shopping and dining environment. “The main goal here was to stimulate the economy on Main Street to create another opportunity for gathering…in a safe way,”
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
Main and Ashland in Santa Monica.
Parra said. “I know a lot of people are concerned about going indoors, whether it is going indoors to shop (especially in smaller stores), indoors to go to a restaurant.” Councilmember Phil Brock, while voting to move forward with developing Al Fresco 2.0, expressed concern that it may lead to overcrowding on Main Street. This, according
to Brock, may create a retail environment that some may perceive as less safe. In addition, Brock worried not all Main Street businesses will benefit from the street closures. “I want us to have outdoor dining forever but I am concerned that for instance Jameson’s [Pub] at that corner, their parklet goes way beyond their restaurant border and continues down the street. I am hearing from retailers that they’re concerned that people will not be able to see their stores and that their business is actually going to plummet rather than increase because restaurants already right now on Main Street are packed. Chinois is busy every night. Jameson’s is busy every night,” Brock said. “Many people are afraid to take long walks
or bicycle rides, even though we are being vaccinated in the city, because they are afraid of that close contact with other people.” At the meeting, Councilmembers noted that they have received many emails from residents concerned that such a plan will lead to increased traffic in their residential neighborhoods. One of these residents was Roger Genser, who has lived at 2nd and Hill street for the past 44 years. “Where are the cars going to be diverted to? 2nd Street is a narrow, one-way street headed south. Ashland [Avenue] and Marine [Street]
Santa Monica City Council, see page 11
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