SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- An eventual return to outdoor dining for some North Park restaurants may not be an option due to a City of San Diego project.
Right now, some businesses on 30th Street have left their outdoor dining structures just as they were before the latest stay-at-home order. However, concerns have been raised as the city’s pipeline replacement project, which includes a bike lane expansion, moves into its final stages.
In a virtual meeting, city officials presented a plan to the North Park Main Street Business board of directors, informing business owners of what will be required of them as part of this construction. This will include restriping the bike lanes in their section and putting signage up.
Several area business owners, like David Gamboa, were not happy to hear the plans. Business owners believe the project will cost them their parklets and outdoor dining spaces.
“Not only are businesses scratching for every penny they can right now. Now we’re going to ask them to take their staff, time, and take whatever little money they have and stripe the street themselves. It seems crazy to me. It’s a big ask,” Gamboa said.
The business owners are asking the city to delay the striping of the bike lanes until businesses can fully reopen.
Typically, the city would require businesses to hire an engineer who would design a traffic plan.
