Ventura votes to keep downtown dining, shopping experience ‘Main Street Moves’

VENTURA, Calif. -- Ventura City Council voted in favor of making Main Street Moves a permanent fixture in downtown Ventura.

On Monday, Nov. 8, Ventura City Council voted 7-0 to make Main Street Moves a permanent area with full closure of five blocks in downtown.

Currently, Main Street Moves is closed to traffic from San Buenaventura Mission to Fir Street, with a focus on potentially keeping California Street closed to traffic.

“Thousands of people have expressed strong support for keeping streets closed and maintaining outdoor dining and shopping areas. It’s exciting to hear that kind of positive public response as we look at the design, cost, and logistics for supporting a semi-permanent downtown street closure for Main Street Moves," said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava.

During the pandemic, Main Street Moves helped businesses continue under tough times and provided a safe outdoor experience for customers.

The City Council voted to conduct studies with the participation of local businesses and consultants on traffic impacts, environmental impacts and design standards for parklets.

In their design plan, the City will install bollards at the intersections, removable furniture and implement modifications of closures. The new design would open back up the existing sidewalks, use the existing angled parking spaces for outdoor seating parklets, and keep the existing travel lanes free and clear to accommodate delivery trucks, service vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

The continuation or issuance of a new interim special use permit will be brought to the City Council in December.

Their current Special Use Permit and Temporary Emergency Ordinance is set to expire on Jan. 7, 2022.

For more information on Main Street Moves in Ventura, click here.