Promenade possibilities

Jenny Marder

Does Surf City have what it takes to pull off a lively promenade,

bustling with shoppers, diners and entertainment? The City Council

says maybe. A group of Downtown merchants say no.

The City Council agreed on Monday to a trial closure of the first

three blocks of Main Street, despite protests from many Downtown

business owners.

Not only will it be a tourist draw, but closing the street to

traffic and parking will attract locals fed up with exhaust fumes and

crowded sidewalks, Councilwoman Pam Julien Houchen said.

“Locals usually don’t even park on Main Street because parking is

so bad,” Houchen said. “Locals don’t enjoy sharing sidewalks with

people who like to just hang out and who think that they need more

space.”

Supporters say it will also be safer, more pleasant for outdoor

diners and a boon for business Downtown.

But some worry that Surf City isn’t ready.

Without a total makeover, desolate streets will deter all but

skateboarders, said Ron McLin, a Downtown business owner and

president of the Huntington Beach Restaurant Assn.

Local real estate broker and former Planning Commissioner Keith

Bohr fears that absent of cars, the street will look barren and

empty.

“We don’t have the money to do the design,” Bohr said. “The 3rd

Street Promenade [in Santa Monica] took about 20 years to come into

place. I don’t think we’re there yet.”

To be successful, the area will need park benches, more trees and

places to mingle, McLin agreed.

“Most of us are not against it if it’s done right and if it’s done

with some quality,” McLin said.

City Councilman Dave Sullivan thinks the street closure will be

successful without drastic improvements.

“We’re asking them to come up with some landscaping but it’s not

going to be the final product by any means,” he said.

Closing Main Street is an idea city officials and council members

have been discussing for many years.

In 2001, representatives from the Police Department, Public Works

and the Community Services department met to discuss the idea, but

decided to put it on hold, due to budget constraints.

The trial will occur during the off-season Downtown, so as not to

hurt business, City Council members decided on Monday. City staff

members will return to the City Council with a plan that will include

design, timeline and costs at its June 7 meeting.

“A huge number of residents have said that they want this and it

will encourage residents to come Downtown,” Sullivan said. “We want

to give our tourists a nice experience also so they’ll spend as much

of their money as possible in Huntington Beach.”

* JENNY MARDER covers City Hall. She can be reached at (714)

965-7173 or by e-mail at jenny.marder@latimes.com.