The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce is hoping its successful campaign for outdoor dining is the economic silver bullet Village businesses need.
Caltrans and the City of Saratoga this month approved the purchase of 10 parklets, and installation is underway along Big Basin Way. Parklets are public places for people to sit, eat, drink and socialize. Installed on existing parking lanes, some extend out at the sidewalk level, eliminating curbs.
San Francisco has been credited with introducing the first parklet in 2005, and the idea has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Los Gatos has installed parklets along Santa Cruz Avenue.
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Page is spearheading the outdoor dining effort in his city. Page told Chamber members that his goal was “to enable outdoor dining in the on-street parking spaces on Big Basin Way that would bring some life and vitality to our Village.”
“The No. 1 attraction of our town, hands-down, is our restaurants and wineries,” added the former Saratoga mayor. “By bringing business to them, we are also creating traffic for our other merchants.”
Michael Tsakiris, owner of Michael Anthony Salon, is hopeful that this traffic manifests.
“I think the barricades are great,” he says. “We need to do everything we can to attract customers and help our local businesses survive.”
Because Big Basin Way is part of state Highway 9, the city had to get approval from Caltrans before going ahead with the parklet project. Caltrans gave its stamp of approval for temporary use of sidewalks and curbside parking areas for “COVID-19 related non-transportation uses.”
After Saratoga Public Works Director John Cherbone and his team determined that purchasing plastic k-rails (the term for barricades) would be less costly than renting, the Saratoga City Council on July 23 authorized $69,363 to purchase and install 10 parklets along Big Basin Way. The k-rails are filled with water, not made of concrete, and so can be emptied for quick and easy removal.
The parklets must be ADA-compliant, so the city is installing 14 temporary handicap ramps at a cost of $19,312.
Businesses served by the parklets will be responsible for supplying their own furniture and keeping the areas clean and safe. Compliance with COVID-19 safety measures regarding table spacing and serving of food and alcohol will be the restaurant’s responsibility.
The parklets will serve Burger Bar, Solo Mio, La Mere Michelle, Big Basin Café, Bai Tong, Hero Ranch, Stilettos Wine Bar, The Basin, Hong’s Gourmet, Cinnabar, The Plumed Horse, Big Basin Vineyards, Sipan Peruvian and The Mint Cuisine.
“I’m looking forward to expanded outdoor seating,” says Big Basin Cafe owner George Hinostroza. “It creates nice energy and a festive feeling.”
“I appreciate the Chamber and the city taking action to help the businesses during this unusual time,” says Suwanee Jones of Mint Leaf Cuisine.
Residents are also happy to see the parklets, although some say they want to be sure that COVID-19 restrictions are followed.
“As long as people practice social distancing, it is a good thing,” says Cynthia Chang, president of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District board.
For more information on the parklet project, visit www.saratogachamber.org.