Sebastopol's Main Street merchants are facing a unique challenge that we are told only Governor Gavin Newsom can remedy. Sebastopol is located at the crossroads of two state highways-- 116 and 12, which are under the control of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Merchants are seeking to temporarily reclaim one parking lane on one block of Main Street for extended pedestrian use, including outdoor dining: the west side of North Main Street (Highway 116) between McKinley Street and Bodega Avenue (Highway 12). This still leaves three one-way lanes for vehicular traffic and one parking lane on the east side of Main Street free.
In addition to the merchants themselves even representatives of Caltrans have indicated that they are in support of the "People Lane." In order to proceed, Caltrans has said that the governor’s office must issue an executive order temporarily putting the statute that restricts the use of state-owned roadways for pedestrian use in abeyance.
Please help us by acting quickly to show the governor’s office your support of the Sebastopol People Lane. We must take advantage of every day of good weather if we are to have any hope of keeping our small local businesses afloat during these extremely challenging times.
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