HomeMy WebLinkAbout061521 MATTE, DARREN - 08.1June 1, 2021
Town of Danville Council Members
510 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
Re: Downtown Danville Street Closures
This letter represents the collective desire of every downtown restaurant that currently has a parklet
or street seating. We are requesting the Town extend the current street closures through the end of
November.
These past 16 months have been a roller coaster on every front. Operating restrictions, staff members
being infected with COVID, wildfire smoke, heat waves and then more operating restrictions. We're
finally coming out of this incredibly challenging situation. As of today, 70% of California's adult
population has received at least one vaccine dose, youth sports have enthusiastically returned, people
are traveling, and restaurants and stores are returning to normal operations with minimal restrictions
on indoor capacity.
Danville has disproportionately benefited from street closures. After facing increasing pressure from
other retail centers such as Bishop Ranch City Center and Broadway Plaza in recent years, downtown
Danville businesses were suffering prior to COVID. Many restaurant and store sales were down double
digits in 2019. Empty storefronts were increasing. The trend was somber. Since closing the streets in
June 2020 to accommodate COVID operating restrictions, the downtown core has flourished as a
unique dining and shopping destination for residents of Danville and surrounding communities. The
overwhelming response has been positive:
1) Restaurant owners want to make the closures permanent. The closures are helping to make up
for 5 months of takeout only and 8 months of restricted operations. Even with no indoor
capacity limits many guests still feel safer dining outdoors.
2) Retail owners want to make the closures permanent. The increase of visitors to the downtown
area has increased retail sales 10% to 30% from pre-COVID levels. Supporting this retail growth
will help fill empty storefronts and increase the vibrancy of downtown.
3) Community members are almost unanimous in their support of the current street closures. A
recent informal poll of 250 people revealed 97% want the closures "permanent with some
design/safety guidelines". Given this was done in 48 hours we estimate the support could easily
be in the thousands.
Increasing the closures through the end of November has many benefits. Restaurants will be able to
offer expanded seating during favorable weather months which will increase sales tax revenue. The
extended timeframe will allow a more comprehensive study of making these closures permanent. We
are supportive of the Kiwanis parade on Labor Day weekend but also feel the parklets do not need to
be removed months early to host this one -day event.
COVID was brutal in many ways but the positive effects of street closures are undeniable. Town Council
has an opportunity to consider the long-term benefits for some form of permanent street closures and
parklets. Similar to your proactive action of creating the street closures a year ago, you now have an
opportunity to build on that success by redefining what downtown Danville means to its community
members and businesses.
We look forward to working with the Town and all stakeholders to develop a thoughtful and
comprehensive plan moving forward.
Respectfully,
Downtown Danville Restaurants
Mehrasa Bagheri Albatross
Angela Pace Blue Line Pizza
Randy Negi Bridges, The Vine and Spirits, Danville Brewing
Darren Matte Danville Harvest, Cocina Hermanas
Peter Cedolini Mangia Mi
Justin Walsh Norm's Place
Dave Homer Pete's Brass Rail & Car Wash
Curtis deCarion Revel Kitchen & Bar
Lisa Cortlandt Valley Medlyn's
Evelyn Tang Yo's on Hartz