October 15, 2024
City Council
Walk on Wilshire
1 Background and Key Dates
In 2020, Walk on Wilshire (WOW) began as a response to the pandemic, converting a 200-foot section of Wilshire Avenue into a pedestrian-only zone to support outdoor dining. 2 Business Participation 2023-2024
3 Business
Participating
Parklet Permitted
Parklet Constructed
Encroachment Agreement (EA) Executed
Mulberry St Ristorante
Fullerton Brew Company
Rialto Café
Occupy small portion of the sidewalk
Sip and Savor
Declined to participate
SomiSomi
Green Bliss
Declined to participate
Retail and Restaurant within Villa Del Sol
Declined to participate
Follow-up Actions During Last 90-Days
Community Chalk Event
SCAG Kit of Parts Test
Business Community Engagement
4 Business Stakeholder Feedback
Key Feedback:
Mixed Participation: Several businesses, like Fullerton Brew and SomiSomi, have permits but haven't started construction; Rialto raised concerns about temporary parklets; Sip and Savor declined participation.
Limited Use of Space: Many have not fully utilized the available outdoor space, limiting its potential.
Equity Concerns: Businesses outside the closure support their neighbors but feel the program has not provided them with the same opportunity.
Visibility and Access Concerns: The mid-block closure limits visibility and access for non-adjacent businesses, reducing some of their foot traffic and sales.
Re-open Street and Enhance Pedestrian Area: Businesses outside WOW support reopening the street, allowing parklets case by case, improving pedestrian areas with better lighting, wayfinding, and enhancements along Wilshire Alley to Amerige. 5 Legal Framework
California Vehicle Code Compliance is required for all street closures.
Temporary Closure:
Allowed for events and public safety under CVC 21101(e). 200-foot segment of Wilshire closed for parklet pilot; focus on assessing parklet feasibility and open space activation.
Adoption of the attached resolution is required to continue temporary closure.
Long-term/Indefinite Closure:
Requires a Slow Streets Program ordinance under CVC 21101(f).
Public outreach, signage, and traffic-calming measures needed.
Engagement process that includes notification to residents and owners of property abutting any street considered for inclusion in the slow streets program is necessary for an indefinite closure. 6 Potential Options
Parklet Program for Downtown
Permanent Closure
Terminate WOW Program and Restore Wilshire Ave
If the City Council decides to reopen the street, staff is requesting until January 31, 2025, to complete re-striping, infrastructure adjustments, and traffic signal modifications. Businesses will also need time to remove street furniture and equipment. 7 Proposed Motion & Alternative Options
8 PROPOSED MOTION
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-XXX.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A 200-FOOT SEGMENT OF WILSHIRE AVENUE, WEST OF HARBOR BOULEVARD FOR A WALK-ON-WILSHIRE (WOW) PARKLET PILOT PROGRAM
2. Direct staff to reopen Wilshire Avenue to vehicular traffic by January 31, 2025.
3. Evaluate feasibility of a more comprehensive downtown parklet program.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Extend the WOW Program and implement a Safe Streets Program by continuing the closure and assess opportunities for long-term public space activation Provide alternative direction on the long-term use of the Walk on Wilshire area Other options brought by City Council.
9 Questions
10 Addendum
Revenue/Expenses
11 Improvements to Date
Cost
Initial closure and planters
$18,000
Modified traffic signal at Harbor Boulevard/Wilshire Avenue and on-street signing and striping to facilitate pedestrian/bike movement and restrict vehicular traffic $31,930
Procure and installed bollards at west/east terminus
$40,639
Total
$90,569
Revenue to Date (2020-2024)
Total
Total Anticipated Revenue
$57,660
Public Survey Results
12 Citywide Survey was conducted by staff to gauge communities' sentiment regarding WOW.
Strong Community Support with over 500 survey respondents supporting the continued closure of Wilshire Avenue Desire for an enhanced pedestrian-friendly environment with more walkability, outdoor dining, live music, and increased social opportunities and events in Downtown Fullerton.
Desire for Public Improvements: Feedback showed strong interest in prioritizing walkability and creating lively, accessible public spaces throughout downtown.
Impact and Suggested Improvements
13 Examples of Spaces as Places
14 Option 1 – Parklet Program for Downtown
Analysis Needed:
Feasibility of implementing parklets and whether it needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Shared Parking Model
Impact to businesses
Balanced approach to enhanced pedestrian friendly spaces while maintaining public parking for businesses.
Cost to complete will be in house and in cooperation with Public Works, Community & Economic Development and Fire.
This option is feasible in either scenario for WOW closure or re-opening. 15 Option 2 – Permanent Closure
Proceed with creating the legal framework to support the WOW program as a long-term initiative and implement a slow streets program.
Consideration for $80,000 to $90,000 to maintain and enhance existing infrastructure, including benches, bike racks, public art, lighting, and other recreational amenities.
Streamline the special event process to incentivize privately organized public. 16 Option 3 – Terminate WOW Program and Restore Wilshire Avenue 17 Return Wilshire Avenue to a full vehicle street and restore previous pre-covid infrastructure.
Staff will restore original street including striping and parking stalls.
Traffic Signal modifications will be restored to vehicle specific indicators.
Costs to restore to be covered based on existing appropriations.
Note: If the council chooses to reopen the street,
18