Road Construction In Downtown Laguna Not A Problem For Promenade

LAGUNA BEACH, CA— CalTrans is steaming ahead to complete the culvert replacement in downtown Laguna Beach before Memorial Day. Still, it was hours of morning drizzle causing problems for Promenade on Forest midweek more than traffic.

Promenade on Forest Avenue closed to cars in favor of pedestrian dining and shopping nearly one year ago. In addition to outdoor dining, the street offers temporary art installations, musical performances, retail decks and additional greenery on Forest Avenue from Coast Highway to Glenneyre Street. Laguna Beach's city council decided to keep the road closed to traffic and parking until New Year's Eve 2021.

Read: Promenade On Forest Pedestrian Plaza Gets Rave Reviews

The Promenade on Forest design supports local businesses by expanding customer seating and merchandise display areas and allowing for social distancing. Aside from challenges caused by the pandemic and restrictions on visitors, business owners say their biggest hurdles remain traffic, a reduction in parking and sign obstruction.

Crashes on Laguna Canyon Road closing access into Laguna Beach, along with the construction project at Coast Highway and Broadway, have prompted the only cancellations 230 Forest Avenue has received due to traffic, according to Patrick, the host. The pedestrian crowds continue to grow as restrictions in Orange County have lessened during coronavirus.

A sign at the host station of 230 Forest Avenue requests that diners conclude their stay after 90 minutes. For the most part, patrons oblige.

As for the lack of nearby parking, Patrick told Patch that senior-citizen diners could park anywhere if they have a parking placard. Except on Forest Avenue, of course, as it remains reserved for pedestrian traffic only.

Store owners on the street say that the issue isn't the construction but the lack of parking spaces in front of their shops.

Fresh Produce management says their clientele tends to be older, so the lost proximity to parking may have affected business.

Another concern is that the shade umbrellas installed along the curb block store signage, making the shop harder to locate. In general, both clerks at Fresh Produce say their customers love the Promenade on Forest Avenue.

Shopkeepers say that they, too, take advantage of the open-air dining experience and enjoy meeting up with friends for a glass of wine after work.

At the Shoe Cellar, a clerk said that many people find the store after such meet-ups.

"It's clean, smells good and there's no smoking allowed (at the Promenade)," he said. "I think that's good for business."

The Promenade on Forest is an experiment that Laguna Beach City Council members put together amid one of the most difficult times in Laguna Beach history. The city council allowed and encouraged businesses and restaurants to extend services to outdoor dining and shopping. The invention of the "park-let" dining spaces and the inviting design of the street has transformed Forest Avenue in a way that is pure Laguna.

Should it remain open to pedestrians only beyond New Year's Eve 2021?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments or by emailing Lisa.Black@Patch.com.

Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.