The city of Mountain View announced Castro Street will remain a pedestrian mall from the 100 to 300 block until January 2023 at the Tuesday, October 12 council study session.
A survey conducted with downtown business owners and residents reflected over 82 percent supported the closure of downtown’s Castro Street, a marked change from the town’s past opposition tothe idea of a closed street. The COVID-19 pandemic has offered a time for experimentation with downtown street closures as dining was transitioned outdoors in an effort to support struggling restaurants.
Many non-restaurant business owners located within the three blocks of Castro Street have reported an uptick in business, and an overall safer atmosphere surrounding their shops. With the support of the community, the City Council has indicated support of a permanent pedestrian-only designation for the downtown street.
While street closures were once viewed as a quick fix to pandemic-related business struggles, they have grown to become permanent fixtures in many towns. Designs to transition the temporary outdoor dining structures, signage, blockades, and street markings into perpetual components of downtown Mountain View are in the works. The City Council has pledged to invest in these improvements.
To get updates on the project, create an account or sign in here, and select the “Castro Pedestrian Mall Feasibility Study”.