Update on Car Free Streets: Cal Ave. & Ramona St.
Published on November 16, 2023
In case you missed the recent City Council actions and steps needed to advance permanent car-free streets on portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street, we’ve got you covered. The following community update shares the Council’s direction and summarizes other efforts underway to realize the Council’s vision of the car-free streets effort.
On November 6, the City Council directed staff to return with actions to continue Cal Ave and Ramona St as car-free streets. City Council adopted related ordinances to extend existing interim and temporary ordinances through December 2024, and parking lot and sidewalk outdoor dining uses through March 2024 to align with permanent parklet related policy work underway.
Key activities and plans are underway to advance this priority:
Urban Field Studio Contract Scope Modifications: To advance Council direction revisions to the City’s consultant Urban Field’s contract is needed to support legislative methods to permanently close portions of the streets, and further items such as design guidelines for outdoor areas, wayfinding signage, and branding. The revised contract is scheduled for the City Council review on December 11, 2023, reflecting the urgency and importance of this work in supporting next steps.
Accessibility Updates: Staff conducted a walking audit and are working on implementing recommendations to enhance accessibility and inclusivity on the car-free streets.
Cleaning: Staff are preparing a contract for the Downtown Streets Team with an option to extend their services to car-free streets to establish a regular schedule of cleaning. This contract is scheduled for City Council review in December 2023.
Signage: In the first two weeks of November 2023, the City installed pedestrian wayfinding signage, 40 new parking signs in the California Avenue District for greater visibility and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliance, and also a 'No Right Turn' sign on El Camino Real. Included in this is a new sign providing directions to parking at the corner of El Camino Real and Sherman Ave. The parking wayfinding signage is currently under evaluation, and additional signage is planned.
Permit Enforcement & Allowable Uses: Staff went out on November 16 to resume proactive enforcement to ensure adherence to permits and allowable uses for outdoor activities in the car-free areas.
Interim Bike Lanes: The Office of Transportation is developing plans for interim bike lanes and will be coordinating with Public Works for installation. Permanent bike lane design will be included in Urban Field Studio’s contract.
Mini-golf: Staff received feedback from the mini-golf vendor notifying us that there is interest in continuing to offer mini-golf into 2024. Mini-golf is operating under a temporary permit through December 2023, and staff will work with them on potential continuation and setup modifications.
Street Barriers: Staff is evaluating options to replace the orange safety barriers to be installed in conjunction with the bike lanes, ensuring effective delineation and integration into the streetscape.
Public Art: The Office of Transportation is in early discussions with the City’s Public Art Program staff on installing more ground plane public art and building murals.
