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(1) Receive a Presentation and Discuss Expanding Outdoor Dining Opportunities on Westbound Washington Blvd between La Cienega Ave and Hargas St within the Culver City Arts District to Facilitate Local Restaurant Recovery from the Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic; and (2) Provide Direction to Staff.
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Meeting Date: August 3, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Heba El-Guindy: Mobility & Transportation Engineering Mngr
Charles D. Herbertson: Public Works Director/City Engineer
Phone Number: (310) 253-5600
(310) 253-5635
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee e-mail distribution list via GovDelivery (07/30/2020)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director / City Engineer 07/28/20
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BACKGROUND
Since April, in response to restrictions imposed on indoor restaurant dining by local health authorities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the City began expanding outdoor dining opportunities by allowing greater use of the public rights-of-way, including public sidewalks and temporary closure and repurposing of certain local streets for outdoor dining use. Closure of the southbound lanes of Culver Boulevard in the downtown area was recently implemented allowing restaurants and other retail establishments in the downtown area of Culver City to expand into a portion of the street. Other areas of the City are not reaching out and requesting similar treatments to allow the expansion of outdoor dining into streets.
DISCUSSION
Recently representatives of the Culver City Arts District reached out to staff with a proposal to close down lanes on westbound Washington Boulevard for the purpose of expanding outdoor dining opportunities into the street area. Staff has met with the representatives on several occasions to discuss alternatives and develop a recommended approach as described below. Other options will also be presented at the meeting.
Recommended Approach for Expanded Sidewalk Outdoor Dining in the Culver City Arts District
The recommended approach involves the closure of the outside (#2 lane) and parking lane of westbound Washington Blvd between La Cienega Ave and Hargas St within the Culver City Arts District. In a similar fashion to the downtown closure, the outdoor dining area will be protected with water filled k-rails. One lane of general purpose traffic will remain open and a bicycle lane will also be delineated within the open roadway area. Other options include closing only the parking lane and not providing the bicycle lane in the open roadway area which will provide additional room for outdoor dining.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There will be contract labor costs involved in installing the water filled k-rail barriers. The estimated cost for this is still being determined at this time and this information will be provided at the meeting. The City has already purchased sufficient water filled k-rail and delineators for this closure so no additional material purchase costs will be incurred.
ATTACHMENTS
None
RECOMMENDED MOTION
That the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee:
Receive a presentation and discuss expanding outdoor dining opportunities on westbound Washington Blvd between La Cienega Ave and Hargas St within the Culver City Arts District to facilitate local restaurant recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
1. Direct City staff to:
a. Place a Proposal to Expand Outdoor Dining Opportunities as Proposed on a future City Council agenda; or
b. Provide staff other direction.