The Redwood City City Council voted unanimously this week to permanently close Broadway to vehicles, a decision that follows a temporary street closure pilot program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 6-0 vote was delayed by a month to give more time for public comment after more community members aired concerns over the loss of parking spaces, which some believed could drive parking costs up.
City staff recommended making the pedestrian mall permanent, citing its continued overall benefits to the economy and community. Staff also concluded that concerns raised by some community members against the project were “unrelated” to the road closure.
The pedestrian mall on Broadway will stretch from Jefferson Avenue to Main Street, similar to car-free downtown zones established in other Peninsula cities such as Palo Alto and San Mateo.
The projected budget needed for the permanent closure was $670,000, higher than the budget of $450,000 previously presented during last month’s City Council meeting.
The budget will be used to fund improvements including setting up guard rails, loading zones, re-striping and adding more public art, among other enhancements.
The funds will be sourced from Redwood City’s public parking revenue, the general fund and the Redwood City Improvement Association, a local nonprofit.
Ali Ahmad, who said he owned a downtown Redwood City business but didn’t specify which one, thanked the council for the permanent closure.
“The closure will keep people safe, especially the kids who like to play outside on the street,” Ahmad said. “Our world has changed over the past year. The outdoor space has kept our businesses alive.”
While the pedestrian mall is already closed to vehicles, the improvements to that stretch of Broadway are slated for completion by early 2025.