New law will pinch 56 downtown parking spots
Also, news on G Street, Bob and Wendy on KDRT, a race-car gaming room, an Uncle Vito’s teaser, a biotech company move, and Murillo’s in Dixon
A new state law is forcing cities like Davis to eliminate parking spots. The largest impact in Davis will be downtown. As of Jan. 1, Assembly Bill 413, called “The Daylighting Law,” prohibits vehicle parking or idling within 20 feet of any crosswalk or 15 feet if there’s a curb extension.
Most of the 56 spots being removed will be 20-minute and 90-minute parking spaces near crosswalks. That number equals less than 5% of the 1,118 on-street parking spots in downtown, a city news release said.
The law was designed to improve safety at intersections, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. The term “daylighting” means that the field of view for anyone approaching an intersection must be clear from obstruction.
Between now and March, city workers will paint the affected curbs red as officials explore exceptions to the law. Those options include loading zones and bicycling parking. The city is working with the Davis Downtown Business Association and others to discuss the matter.
The city plans to relocate the bicycle parking corrals on the street near Thai Canteen and Bull ‘N Mouth to a few of these red-zone areas to recoup a few vehicle parking spots. The news release said another alternative is to beautify the spaces with low-level landscaping or art.
This spring and summer, the collaboration will begin to determine solutions, with any new designs being installed between July and October.
→ G Street update: I checked in with the city folks today about the G Street project. Most of the block between Third and Second streets is fenced off for improvements, and things are starting to wrap up.
The project is designed to enhance the portion of G Street that has been closed to vehicle traffic since the pandemic. Restaurants and stores can lease outdoor areas in front of their businesses.
Jenny Tan, the city’s director of community engagement, released the following statement on Monday: “We’re almost there …! As you may have seen by peeking inside the fencing, the boardwalk and a number of furnishings have been installed. A few tasks still need to get done before the space can be open, including the final furniture shipment, bollards, cable railings, art placement and other items.”
She said in preparation for a grand opening of the space early this year, the city is “finalizing key internal operations and maintenance responsibilities that are essential to long-term success.
“While we are all eager to have this space open,” she continued, “it is essential to complete these preparations before launching. Doing so will allow us to provide a seamless and positive experience for everyone who wants to use and enjoy the space and avoid potential issues down the line.”
Katie Yancey, the city’s economic development director, said the city has received interest forms from several G Street businesses about renting outdoor space but as of Monday evening there are no completed applications or deposits. She noted that there is no application deadline, so businesses may be waiting for weather to improve or to see first what the final project looks like.
→ News makers: On Sunday, Bob Dunning and I were interviewed by for the award-winning show “Davisville” on KDRT 95.7 FM. It was the first radio show recorded in the newly remodeled Davis Media Access studios.
It’s been almost eight months since we moved our columns to Substack. How’s it going? Pretty great, thanks to you! The interview first aired tonight, and is available anytime here.
Bob and I also were interviewed for a Comstock’s magazine story on community digital news outlets. That will be posted online later this month.