The goal is to help retailers and restaurants that are operating while following social distancing guidelines. Mill Valley’s Miller Avenue was one of the first streets to be closed so that the space can be used for outdoor dining and shopping. The City Manager, Alan Piombo, says that this was a pilot project to see if the closure can be implemented in other Marin County cities such as San Rafael. Piombo also said:
“Right now our guys have to load them on a handful at a time on the back of a truck and it takes multiple trips from downtown to the corp yard rather than having it sit on a trailer ready to go.”
The city also wants $17,000 that will be used to stock up on barricades, trailers, and other equipment that will be used to set up street closures with ease. Furthermore, the city is looking into purchasing bikes for the public to use instead of driving. Printing services can be used to help inform the public about street closures and detours.
The TAM has received requests for such grants from multiple cities including San Rafael, Tiburon, Novato, Fairfax, Sausalito, and Corte Modera.