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Menlo Park is moving forward with the city’s “streetaries” program, which allows for restaurants to expand outdoor dining areas into downtown streets.
The City Council Aug. 15 voted to amend the general plan and specific plan to allow for street closures on Santa Cruz Avenue and Ryans Lane. The council’s action does not automatically close the streets to vehicles, but rather allows the City Council the flexibility to close streets as it sees fit for the streetary program on Santa Cruz Avenue and what it describes as “local access alleys,” such as Ryans Lane.
The street closures received some pushback from local business owners, including Alex Beltramo, one of the founders of the Menlo Park Design District, an association of local interior design-focused businesses. Beltramo, speaking for himself, said that there was a discrepancy between the opinions of residents, who want the street to remain closed, and businesses who’d like to see the streets reopened to traffic. While he applauded the efforts on the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue, where street closures began during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that there is no way to know what the majority of residents want without an independent survey.
“The 600 block has been a bridge to a better time,” Beltramo said. “But we have reached that better time. Menlo Park is now vibrant and flourishing throughout the downtown … Continuing the road closure is not needed to activate the downtown. You have already activated us. Please give us our avenue back and let us prove it.”
City Council member Maria Doerr said that she was excited about the opportunities that could be presented by an option for street closures, such as a block party or a street fair.
“We heard so many folks that were really excited about the opportunity to gather outside, the opportunity to have a space for young people to come and sit and be in our community along with people of all ages,” Doerr said. “And I’m excited to support this so we can continue having a gathering space where people of all ages can come and appreciate downtown.”
Council member Drew Combs addressed concerns that the road closures made Santa Cruz Avenue inaccessible for visitors, while some others argue that downtown is now more accessible.
“I think now it’s time to have that discussion about what Santa Cruz should look like in the future,” Combs said. “And I think this lays the foundation for that. And so I’m supportive.”
The motion passed unanimously. The issue of street closures downtown will be coming to the City Council meeting on Aug. 29.
A couple clarifications:
– The Streetaries Program is independent of Street Closures. The Streetaries can use parking spaces and do not require a closed road. I personally love the Streetaries and support that program.
– I was not speaking for the Design District. But I am concerned for the businesses generally. There was a survey done showing that over 80% of the businesses along Santa Cruz Ave. want the road fully opened. The Design District as a group does not have a stated opinion on this, but their opinions as individual businesses tend to match the survey results.
Fortunately, I think we are in a win/win situation. If the 600 block is permanently closed, I’m sure it will be put to good use. If it is opened, then we will benefit from better traffic flow.
(Although I’d love to see a compromise where the parking spaces from Walgreens through Starbucks are converted to a permanent community parklet, and where the roadblocks are replaced with removable bollards so that the street can be open most of the time, but easily closed on weekends and for events like the weekly market or block parties.)
As a frequent downtown shopper, cyclist and driver who parks, I am in agreement with Alex Beltramo. For most hours on most days, the closed lane in front of Walgreens and Bistro Vida sits empty. This doesn’t serve anyone’s interests and is confusing to anyone who isn’t familiar with the one block closure. Remove the parking spots, but open the lane.
Menlo Park’s High street should be for people not cars.
Robert:
There is no High street in MP that I’m aware of. If you are referring to Santa Cruz Ave. downtown, I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve been saying for years we should close Santa Cruz and turn it into a pedestrian mall like the Pearl St. Mall in Boulder.
Two points:
First, ditto on the excellent comment above:
“As a frequent downtown shopper, cyclist and driver who parks, I am in agreement with Alex Beltramo. For most hours on most days, the closed lane in front of Walgreens and Bistro Vida sits empty. This doesn’t serve anyone’s interests and is confusing to anyone who isn’t familiar with the one block closure. Remove the parking spots, but open the lane.”
Second, how many of us agree downtown Los Altos is an example of integrating vibrant and varied retail, personal/professional services and dining, both indoor and outdoor, within a walkable, safe shopping district without closing even a single travel lane to bikes or cars? Compare their and our downtown storefront vacancy rates, then explain to our local businesses, residents and shoppers why closing any portion of an important downtown street makes sense here.
As Mr. Beltramo says, reopening all Santa Cruz Ave. to vehicles does not preclude partial closure from time to time for special events.
Menlo Voter: High street is Britspeak for shopping district. Sant Cruz is Menlo Park’s high street.
Robert:
Got it