TITLE
Recommendation to authorize Department of Public Works to convert one parking space in the public right-of-way in front of 443 Pine Avenue (Kress Market) into an on-street bike parking corral. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
Earlier this month, the City installed its first bike corral in an on-street parking space at 435 E. 1st Street in front of Utopia Restaurant, The Village Grind and Long Beach Fixed Gear bike shop. The bike corral was well received and immediately put to good use by cyclists patronizing businesses in the East Village. The bike corral provides parking for 14 bicycles in a single parking space that accommodates one car. Attached is a photograph of the Bike Corral at 1st street and Linden Avenue.
There is now interest in installing a bike corral in front of the recently opened Kress Market on Pine Avenue. A bike corral at this location will serve patrons of Kress Market, but also surrounding businesses, including Creama Cafe and other nearby eateries. A survey conducted in Portland, Oregon, found that businesses believed bike corrals play an important part in creating an enhanced street identity and a more dynamic shopping environment to attract customers. Businesses that were surveyed, noted three key benefits to the bike corrals: an increase in the number of customers; an improved sidewalk/cafe seating environment; and improved visibility of the business from the street.
Public Works is seeking authorization from the City Council to convert the first marked parking space on the westside of Pine Avenue immediately south of 5th Street adjacent to the bus stop into a bike corral. Staff consulted the neighboring businesses on the 400 block of Pine Avenue, as well as the Downtown Long Beach Association, to discuss this project and found support with no objections. As in the East Village, the success of this bike corral will also be evaluated after three months, including interviews with surrounding business owners. If ineffective or if a ne...
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