To encourage retail and outdoor dining, three blocks of Valencia Street will become pedestrian-only walkways on weekends, starting Friday, Feb. 5, and continuing through the end of June.
Manny Yekutiel, the owner of Manny’s and the instigator of closing the streets in the summer of 2020, said that move would be transformative for small businesses and the corridor as a whole.
“It is hard to underestimate the value of the joy that was created by giving folks a safe way to be in the community during such a dark period in our city and community’s history,” he said.
In the newest closure, cars will be prohibited on the blocks between 16th and 17th streets, between 18th and 19th; and between 20th and 21st. The traffic restrictions will run on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Traffic on cross streets will not be affected.
In addition, the Valencia Lights Project fundraiser, to install lights from 14th to 24th streets, is also in full swing. The initiative, also spearheaded by Yekutiel, has already raised $18,000 of its $40,000 goal. If the campaign is successful, the lights will be installed by late March or early April.
“We see this as a way to bring light back to the street, to clear away the darkness,” said Jonah Buffa, co-owner of Fellow Barber, in a press release. “This will help create jobs and support the economic recovery of this important commercial corridor in the City. “
The pedestrian-only designation is part of the city’s Shared Spaces program, with the aim of increasing public space available for outdoor dining and retail. Valencia Street was previously repurposed as a pedestrian-only thoroughfare in late July. That program ran for three months.
The success of that program aided efforts to apply and be approved for the pedestrian-only permits.
The program made the summer months feel almost normal on Valencia Street, with live music and diners packing outdoor restaurant spaces. While the foot traffic brought much-needed revenue to businesses, some raised concerns about the safety of having so many people gathered together.
Livable City will manage the staffing of the closure for the next few months, according to Yekutiel. “I’m very confident in their ability to ensure that all necessary safety protocols are being followed,” he said.
I love the street closures. Great for families and other humans who are not in metal boxes for a moment.
This is horrible for traffic over the weekend. Please, stop this madness!!!
I live on Lexington street, a narrow, residential street parallel to Valencia Street that is now being stormed with bumper to bumper traffic diverted 4 days a week from Valencia Street to our street by the the newly implemented “Shared Space” program, another brilliant initiative from “please re-elect me London Breed”. Residents from Lexington Street between 20th & 21st Street are now the lucky recipients of bumper to bumper traffic noise, car horns, and car exhaust.fumes 4 days a week. There’s got to me HEALTHIER ways to deal with this decision!!!
More noisy coming up, with drunk people screaming after party. Already noisy before pandemia. Better work on lower prices too expensive on valencia.
The prices on those restaurants are highs, plus this add more noise to Valencia’ residents , more drunk people on the streets and no mask protection
There is no consideration for the residents on this street. Loud music. Unmasked people. It’s horrible.
Hopefully there are no buildings with garages on those blocks.
Loved it in the summer, I’ll remember Friday, 8/14 for a long time. Gave Valencia an awesome vibe.