G Street grand opening set for Jan. 27
Davis project took longer than anticipated
G Street will have a grand reopening on Monday, Jan. 27, city of Davis officials announced today in a news release.
The free event is from noon to 1 p.m. at the corner of G and Third streets. It will include speakers, music, refreshments and a ribbon cutting. After, the city encourages attendees to explore and visit the businesses on G Street and throughout downtown Davis.
Project work began in September and was originally expected to be complete by fall or early winter. The plan was designed to enhance the portion of G Street that has been closed to vehicle traffic since the pandemic. Businesses and residents have voiced frustration over lengthy process, which has significantly curtailed patronage and profits.
“The city is sincerely grateful to everyone, especially businesses on G Street, who have been patiently waiting for the opening of G Street while construction has been completed, and cleaning and maintenance have been finalized,” the news release said. “While the finishing touches were being completed on the construction, the city has put measures in place to ensure that key operational and maintenance responsibilities that are essential to long-term success of the space are ready to implement starting day one.”
The release said the city will maintain the furniture and platforms on G Street that are not leased by businesses. This includes pressure washing, leaf blowing, surface cleaning when needed, trash pickup, lighting upkeep and other maintenance. “While the first phase of infrastructure is complete and ready for community enjoyment, the city plans to implement a second phase to make further enhancements to the space over time, including additional furniture/group seating, art and family-friendly activities, music/special events, signage, and more.”
Mayor Bapu Vaitla said, “We are very excited that the platforms are completed and the space will soon reopen to the community. There is much more to come from the city to revitalize this area, including offering space to be rented for events, larger group seating and pavement improvements. We’re confident that G Street will be a hub of community life, a place where people can come and enjoy being together in the open-air environment while supporting the small businesses that make our downtown great."
Project funding came from a City Council allocation of $1 million from American Rescue Plan Act. With it, the city “was able to construct the platforms and purchase furniture and lighting to initially set up the space and have seating ready for the community to use. The platforms are approximately 18 feet wide and extend from both sides of the sidewalk into the street. The platforms maintain drainage pathways and connect to existing stormwater infrastructure while still making the space flat and accessible to all.
“The shared-use space in the middle of the street is approximately 20 feet wide, and allows for fire vehicle access and flexible space for larger group and special events. On the west side of the street, the platform lines up with the sidewalk with metal plates that help this transition. On the east side of the street, the sidewalk is lower than the platform due to the pitch. … Three ADA ramps have been installed (to) provide safe access to the platform.
“The furniture … is vibrantly-colored and allows for different kinds of seating. Additionally, students from the UC Davis Design and Build Studio class constructed brightly colored giant Adirondack chairs that will be placed at G Street before the grand opening to help create visual appeal and a fun photo-op. … In February, additional pavement graphics will be added on the street that will help to further the atmosphere of fun, engagement and community.”
G Street businesses may rent space on the platforms “to have exclusive outdoor dining as an extension of their businesses through the Downtown Outdoor Dining Program. Businesses that rent platform space will be able to utilize their own furnishings, including group seating, heaters, planters, umbrellas, swamp coolers and more, pursuant to the city’s furnishing requirements and design standards.”
For more information about the G Street Activation Project webpage. Businesses interested in the Downtown Outdoor Dining Program can learn more here.
→ There’s a spreadsheet for that: The redesigned Davis Business Tracker lists the status of hundreds of Davis businesses. The new design is easier to read and sort. It’s a great resource when you want to check on merchants that I’ve written about in recent years.
– Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you know of a business coming or going in the area – or if you see a typo above – email wendy@comingsandgoings.news. Give a Comings & Going gift subscription here. If you’re on Facebook and Instagram, please like and follow.
Wonderful!
Bland, sterile and generic. Looks like the food court at an indoor mall in Omaha, or Tulsa, or Peoria, or anywhere. The giant Adirondack chairs are the only thing that echoes the character of this town. I hope the bars and restaurants add some level of interest to their spaces...but I'm guessing their hands will be tied by the city's design standards. "Cool" vs. "meh..." and "meh" won.
One million dollars is a whoooooole lot of money. I wonder how much of the budget was swallowed up on the front end by the Planning Department and whoever they contracted to design the space?