The street closure was approved thanks to the fact that Santa Clara County health officials eased up on the rules that restaurants had to follow since March. Outdoor dining is now allowed, and the tables have to be a certain distance apart. Outdoor dining allows the restaurant to serve more people than would have been able to otherwise.
The street will remain closed 24 hours a day. A central aisle will be kept free for pedestrians and cyclists to move through. Vehicles that need to cross Castro Street can do as at the intersections for Villa, Dana, and California streets. Poster printing can be used to direct foot and motor traffic.
Sarah Astles who runs the Opal nightclub and is the head of the Downtown Association said:
"The only complaint I’ve heard is that the plan isn’t in place already. The county has allowed outdoor dining beginning (Friday), and many can’t take advantage of that."
This closure will be used as a test for permanent changes that could be made in the future. The street closure will start on June 22nd and last until 30th September.