TEMPORARIL Y CLOSINGPORTIONS OF
FOURTH STREET
City Council Meeting
September 9, 2025
Gabe Osburn, Director
Planning & Economic Development
Scott Adair, Chief Economic
Development Officer
Economic Development Division
1 Goals
1. Receive a staff update on the outreach and
due diligence conducted regarding
temporarily closing portions of Fourth
Street, including a review of identified
opportunities and challenges.
2. Ask questions, and provide direction
related to the various policies, procedures
and options associated street closures and
pedestrianization efforts. 2
Economic Development Strategy
3 This session aligns
with the Economic
Development Strategy
which emphasizes,
“Bolster downtown
housing, commercial
and retail business”
and “support a thriving
economy”.
Background
4 On April 9, 2024 (File #24-0315), City Council
requested a future agenda item to discuss the
impacts of temporarily closing portions of
Fourth Street. A motion was passed 5–1 to
approve placement of a discussion item on a
future agenda concerning the impacts of
temporarily closing portions of Fourth Street.
Example programs from other cities
5 Grass Valley (CA)
San Jose (CA)
Sand Diego (CA)
Charlottesville (VA)
Buffalo (NY)
Most impactful where properly programmed
and where community is participatory
Outreach
6 • Door to door visits on 4th Street
• One on one discussions with business owners
• Outreach to commercial real estate community -
Brokers
• Discussion with business support organizations
• Meetings with community groups
• Community sentiment survey
• Business survey
• Community Benefit Districts (Railroad Square and
Downtown Action Organization)
• Economic Development Subcommittee
Survey
7 1300 + Residents, 30+ Businesses. 30 Days.
Results mixed.
Challenges and Opportunities
8 Pros
• Community gathering and recreation
• Cultural vibrancy and public use of downtown space
• Enhances overall livability
• Potential to stimulate economic activity
Cons
• Logistical challenges with product deliveries and loading zones
• Reduced access for customers
• Limited benefit for businesses not oriented toward food, beverage, or entertainment
DAO
9 “Without these items in place, the proposed
“pedestrianization” plan will not yield the
desired effect of enhancing and improving the
economic vibrancy of the Downtown.”
• Support for the concept
• Infrastructure improvements
• Enhanced programming
• Traffic circulation and impacts
Ross Street
10 From the Business Community:
Emerging alternatives to a 4th Street Closure
• Ross St
• Montgomery Village
• Railroad Square – Depot Lot
Entertainment Zones
11 Other ways to
activate downtown
public spaces
California Senate Bill 969
(SB 969) allows cities and
counties to establish
"entertainment zones"
where open containers of
alcoholic beverages can
be consumed on public
streets and sidewalks.
Options
12 1. Continue with 4th Street
2. Delay or abandon 4th Street
3. Pursue a pilot closure elsewhere
4. Explore other alternatives
5. A combination of the above
*If the City Council wishes to pursue any street closures staff recommends the following next steps to better evaluate
feasibility and impacts:
• Infrastructure Analysis
• Traffic and Parking Study
• Cost/Revenue Analysis
• Scheduling Analysis
Questions?
13 Gabe Osburn, Director
Planning & Economic Development
Scott Adair, Chief Economic Development
Officer
Economic Development Division