The City of Long Beach is rolling out a new Open Streets Initiative designed to assist businesses in recovering from the economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allows for public areas – including sidewalks, on-street parking, parking lots, plazas, and promenades – to be temporarily converted into spaces for physically-distanced social interaction such as dining and shopping. These temporary changes will also allow for enhanced mobility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Options for businesses to use public space to enhance their operations are outlined in an online toolkit developed by the City of Long Beach. Click here to view it.
The City has created an application and guidelines for businesses interested in using sidewalk space: click here to download the form. Click here to download an application and guidelines for street occupancy (parklets).
Businesses extending their operations onto sidewalks should consult DLBA’s sidewalk pressure washing schedule. To ensure the area is cleaned, please remove furnishings and furniture prior to the appointed time.
Restaurants that wish to extend their dining space and serve alcoholic beverages in public areas must apply for temporary approval through the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC). Click here to download the application, and click here to download instructions.
On Tuesday, June 16, the Long Beach City Council approved the temporary partial closure of numerous city streets as part of the Open Streets Initiative. A full list of these streets is forthcoming.
Downtown businesses interested in utilizing public areas to safely enhance their operations are asked to call DLBAs Placemaking Manager Mariah Hoffman, who will assist and connect them with appropriate City staff. Her contact information is: MariahH@dlba.org; 562-708-0420.