Fullerton city officials are taking the next steps in making downtown’s only outdoor dining area a lasting staple in the city.
This comes after community members and residents voiced concerns about the city potentially closing down ‘Walk on Wilshire’ – a 200-foot pedestrian zone that was brought into question by city leaders.
On Tuesday, Fullerton City Council voted 3-1 to extend ‘Walk on Wilshire’ until Jan. 31, 2025, while directing city staff to look into blocking off the entire street segment to make the plaza a permanent fixture in downtown.
[Read: Will Fullerton’s Walk On Wilshire Become Permanent?]
As part of their direction, city staff is expected to research ways to make the pedestrian zone a long-term enclosure for a City Council vote in January.
Councilman Bruce Whitaker was the only dissenting vote, with Mayor Nick Dunlap recusing himself from the vote.
Community members and residents packed City Hall for Tuesday’s regular meeting, many showing their support for the pedestrian plaza that was established during the pandemic.
“If we’re going to look into a closure of any street, why not the entire street? Why a quarter of it?” Councilman Fred Jung said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Make it so that there’s a legitimate investment to be made.”
Jung, who has been critical of the outdoor dining program on Wilshire Avenue in the past, added that he would like to see how more resources could benefit the plaza and increase revenue for businesses.
In response to Jung, Councilwoman Shana Charles highlighted the support shown for downtown open space including a volunteer event that was held weeks prior dubbed “Chalk on Wilshire” which had no city involvement.
The event was hosted by an community-led organization called “Save Walk on Wilshire,” which tallied 2,000 signatures in support of keeping the downtown space.
“This grassroots organization – that is absolutely volunteer – is extraordinary,” she said.
Charles – who advocated for ‘Walk on Wilshire’ throughout its existence – added, “I think we need to give the people what they want.”
Despite a majority in attendance supporting an ordinance that would make an outdoor dining space permanent in downtown, not everyone was on board.
Chris Presta, owner of Back Alley Bar & Grill on Wilshire Avenue, said that his part of the street hasn’t seen much foot traffic, so he finds it hard to support a continued street enclosure.
In an interview outside of council chambers, Presta said that he enjoys that people use the community space to host events, take graduation photos, but does not see the space benefitting his business.
“What everybody says – it sounds amazing. Problem is, I never see those people there,” Presta said during public comment.
In a city staff report, the city claims that “Many of the businesses not part of the closure noted it has not generated enough increased foot traffic or sales to justify their support.”
The report continues “These businesses show more support if they had equal opportunities to participate such as extending the closure to their storefronts or allowing them to create parklets.”
But dozens of people spoke during Tuesday’s meeting about how important a community space is for Fullerton.
Leah Cook, a Fullerton resident, said during the meeting that ‘Walk on Wilshire’ is a place that she takes her children to, recalling fond memories that she’d like to continue with her daughters.
“We’d love more memories like that. And as a mom, that’s going to be a memory that I take with me to the grave.”
Hugo Rios is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. Contact him at hugo.toni.rios@gmail.com or on Twitter @hugoriosss.
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