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After extensive community outreach, Redwood City has permanently closed the 2000 block of Broadway and Redwood Creek to vehicle traffic, allowing it to continue serving as a pedestrian thoroughfare downtown.
While the City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar item at its Monday, Jan. 8 meeting without discussion, Council member Chris Sturken said on Wednesday the portion of Broadway had become a draw to incoming businesses, noting popular Mediterranean restaurant Mazra, which plans to open in March.
"It's kind of put Redwood city on the map in revitalizing that downtown area," Sturken said.
The city installed automatic bollards and gates at Broadway and Main Street for limited access, but Deputy City Manager Jennifer Yamaguma said in an email the city plans to install automatic bollards at Jefferson Avenue and Broadway and Broadway and Main Street for Recology and maintenance vehicles. The city plans to issue encroachment permits, allowing business owners to conduct property maintenance and improvements. The city will invest more street furniture and sidewalk planters to fill areas without a parklet. It will also add a loading zone on Jefferson Avenue, Main Street, in the Marshall garage and the Main Street parking lot, according to a staff report.
The closure was initially designed to reopen struggling businesses safely during the COVID-19 pandemic safely. The outdoor aspect and street closures were a safe way to maintain social distancing.
In June, the city approved a pilot program creating a pedestrian thoroughfare at the 2000 block of Broadway. Still, it became popular and added vibrancy to the downtown area, according to the report.
In October, the city conducted an online survey, two on-site walk audits, and direct mail surveys, to which 62 people responded, resulting in 93% of respondents showing support for the street closure. Additionally, 14 of the 15 participating businesses supported the closure. Still, some of the concerns raised were visibility and wayfinding challenges, loitering, trash, and cyclist and scooter behavior in the closure area, according to the report.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Redwood City resident Alisa MacAvoy said in an email that she fully supported the closure of the Broadway portion.
"If anything, we could use more permanent spaces for families and individuals to gather safely. The downtown area is the perfect place for this type of space," McAvoy said.
It's a thought that Sturken said on Wednesday that other community members have shown an interest.
"Other blocks interested in closing is Broadway between El Camino Real and California Street, which abuts the train tracks. Hamilton Avenue between Marshall Street and Broadway, which is the block between Chase Bank and Courthouse Square," Sturken said.
Resident Stefan Meyer said Broadway from El Camino Real to California Street should be turned into a one-way street for vehicular traffic, making it more walkable.
"This idea comes from the Spanish City of Madrid's concept of super blocks where you stop cut-through traffic while maintaining access," Meyer said in an email.
He added that the one-way street closure could provide vehicle access but create a safer road for pedestrians and cyclists ebbing and flowing throughout the train station and shopping center.
The city hired consultants Fehr and Peers and Mark Thomas to analyze the most feasible permanent solution for the businesses and community. The city looked at two options: a partial closure and a full closure. While the partial closure would provide flexibility for trash collection and delivery vehicles to enter the closure at specific times, businesses in the area have little ability to manage the times when they receive deliveries, and a shortened delivery window wouldn't alleviate the issue if deliveries occur at all times of the day.
However, a permanent closure would support local businesses and provide safe spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and customers. According to a city staff report, the consultants found that the block closure could increase traffic delays on alternative routes, make it more difficult for visitors to navigate the downtown area and create logical challenges for businesses.
