Starting on Friday, December 2, 2022, Main Street between Second and Third Streets will reopen to through traffic.
In the early stages of the pandemic, Main Street was temporarily closed to traffic between Second and Third Streets to allow businesses on the block to extend their outdoor dining. This emergency City action, along with the new parklet program and use of other public property, allowed local businesses to keep their doors open when confronted with indoor dining restrictions and continue offering services safely throughout the pandemic.
The temporary closure has extended over 2 years and has proven popular with many residents and visitors. Some of the businesses along the block have approached the City offering to support the creation of a future project for a permanent public plaza in Main Street. City Council directed staff to work with local businesses to discuss the feasibility of a project partnership. As the temporary traffic controls and bollards currently in place are removed to allow for through traffic once again, these conversations will continue. The City of Napa remains committed to exploring public/private partnerships for the potential of a future plaza.
The businesses on this block of Main Street will be able to continue offering outdoor dining by moving their current operations to the sidewalk area allowing Main Street to reopen. City staff has already begun outreach to all local businesses with outdoor dining permits to bring their existing permits into compliance with the latest amendments to the municipal code, which went into effect on November 15, 2022.
Assisting local businesses and supporting economic growth is a priority for the City Council, as well as City staff. The City of Napa’s Economic Development Division offers resources and support, which can be found at www.CityofNapa.org/EconomicDevelopment.