City Council to Discuss $60K for Open Streets

Back in October, more than 40,000 people came out to enjoy 17 blocks of a car-free Shattuck Avenue during Berkeley’s first ever Sunday Streets event. On Tuesday, Berkeley City Council will consider making Sunday Streets a city-sponsored institution by committing nearly $60,000 for two future automobile-free afternoons.

If the city puts up $60,000, Sunday Streets organizer Livable Berkeley and other partners will pay an additional $120,000 to publicize and manage Sunday Streets in October and April 2014, according to a report from City Councilwoman Laurie Capitelli.

From the city’s contribution, around $45,000 will go for in-kind services and permit fees and $15,000 would be a cash grant to Livable Berkeley.

Capitelli’s report notes that merchants on Shattuck Avenue reported higher sales during Open Streets.

Watch a video of the Berkeley's first Open Streets. 

Here's more information about the global Open Streets movement, which started in Bogota as Ciclovia.