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Mountain View Castro Avenue Closure Prolonged Past Pandemic – CBS San Francisco

MOUNTAIN VIEW (KPIX) – The town of Mountain View plans to keep Castro Street, the main thoroughfare in the city center, permanently closed and eventually convert it into a pedestrian mall.

The decision will keep the main resistor from 100 to 300 block closed. Mountain View, like other cities across the country, has expanded outdoor dining on public roads to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has a silver lining and this is one of them,” said Margaret Abe-Koga, a member of Mountain View’s council.

The council’s decision came after a 90-minute study session on Tuesday during which council members heard a variety of options, which included the closure of parts of Evelyn Avenue.

Mayor Ellen Kamei said staff conducted surveys of business owners and downtown residents across the city and found widespread support for maintaining the closure.

“Over 82 percent of the blocks that closed were companies for closure, so this is something that will stay here. We heard from our congregation loud and clear that there was no need to reopen, ”said Kamei. “I think it was something of a glimmer of hope for everyone.”

Peter Katz, CEO of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, said the city has resisted efforts to close Castro Street in the past, citing disturbances and opponents who argue that such a move would be “atypical” for the city. may be.

“We have had this experiment for almost a year and a half now and it worked very well. I don’t want to say that all companies thrive, but they survive, ”says Katz.

Katz said the Castro Street closure would complement Caltrain’s future electrification, which will affect access to the railroad line.

“This access from the Central Expressway to Castro will be closed anyway. So it is one of those things that we have to think intelligently about how to deal with it and how to build an infrastructure so that traffic and people can come in, ”said Katz.

Rose Lue, a frequent visitor to Castro Street, compared the atmosphere and ambience to street cafes in Paris.

“I like to eat outside and I feel like I’m in Europe. But we’re in America, ”said Lue. “There are tables and a unique look for every restaurant. It’s just an atmosphere of community. It’s just alive. “

The city will keep the temporary structures in place until at least January 2023. Employees will begin working with partners and stakeholders to make it permanent.

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