In early June, the City of Salida transformed two blocks of F Street—between Sackett Avenue and 2nd Street—into a pedestrian mall, focused of restaurants and retail stores.
The change allowed businesses to move out into the street offering more seating and display space.
The City of Salida asked for your feedback on the closing and the preliminary results have been released from over 600 surveys completed.
51 percent of total respondents and 43 percent of business respondents said the love the street closure and think it provides a safer place to visit and shop.
The survey asked for feedback on how the area could be improved. Some responses included making the space more inviting by adding temporary landscaping, seating and providing shade structures. Others suggested expanding the road closure for several more blocks to support more businesses.
Several common themes among respondents who don’t like the closure cited a concern for the number of people not wearing masks and they feel the closure only helps a small number of businesses in the area. Others were concerned with street accessibility for older individuals with mobility issues and think the loss of storefront adjacent parking has had a negative impact on business.
The city will compile the individual responses received from the survey and determine next steps. The Salida City Council will be discussing this matter at their work session on July 6th.
