Petition to Reinstate Downtown Chico Parklets
Statement of Purpose
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the City of Chico to reinstate outdoor parklets in the downtown business district - either through renewed municipal funding or by enabling privately funded alternatives.
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary parklets were introduced throughout downtown Chico to support local businesses amid indoor capacity restrictions. These parklets expanded outdoor dining and created
vibrant public spaces that helped keep small businesses afloat and residents safely connected to their community.
In 2021, $300,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds were allocated for upgrading these parklets, but due to projected costs reaching over $1.1 million, the city discontinued the program by December 1, 2022.
The remaining funds were redirected to update a parking study, and 26 parking spaces were reclaimed - but at the cost of losing outdoor seating, pedestrian activity, and a key lifeline for local establishments.
Why Reinstating Parklets Matters
- Boosting Small Business Revenue: Parklets allow restaurants and cafes to expand seating capacity, increasing revenue - especially crucial during warm months and weekends.
- Creating Community-Friendly Space: These outdoor zones enhance the social and cultural atmosphere of downtown, drawing both locals and tourists.
- Improving Pedestrian Safety: Parklets create a buffer between sidewalk pedestrians and street traffic, slowing cars and encouraging foot traffic.
- Supporting Economic Recovery: With proper regulation and flexibility, allowing businesses to fund their own parklets could ease financial burden on the city while still revitalizing downtown.
- Environmental & Aesthetic Benefits: Well-designed parklets with planters or public seating beautify streets
and promote environmental sustainability.
Our Request :
Petition to Reinstate Downtown Chico Parklets
1. Explore revised funding mechanisms, including grants, business-led initiatives, or public-private partnerships to bring back parklets.
2. Allow individual businesses to construct approved parklets under a streamlined permitting process.
3. Include parklet reinstatement in downtown revitalization plans, as part of broader economic recovery and urban improvement strategies.
27 Comments
I loved these palettes and it would be great if they came back. We love riding our bikes to downtown and enjoying the outdoors.
I understand that it cuts down on parking but that should push people to ride their bikes with all of these refurbished bike lanes. There are also the options of rideshare apps and local cab companies.
These were amazing and fostered more downtown community engagement and comfort. This also allows businesses to have more seating which provides more opportunities for small businesses to thrive in an already cut throat downtown.
As a local and a working member of the downtown community I hear from my customers and fellow community members on a weekly basis the desire to bring back downtown parklets. Naked lounge in particular would benefit greatly from having our parklet reinstated. Often times when seats inside are completely full and our 2 small outdoor bistro tables are occupied, people will resort to sitting on the curb (even in 100 degree weather). We would love to be able to better accommodate our beloved friends and downtown customers. I believe this decision would greatly help ours and a great number of other downtown businesses, such as Duffys, the Banshee and many more.
Chico has an average of 249 sunny days per year. Many successful businesses hit their capacity as the constraints of historical buildings are an issue downtown. Parklets and or extended options for patio seating make sense in our town.
Great idea for our community
Bring back all the outdoor seating !
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Petition to Reinstate Downtown Chico Parklets
Statement of Purpose
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the City of Chico to reinstate outdoor parklets in the downtown business district - either through renewed municipal funding or by enabling privately funded alternatives.
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary parklets were introduced throughout downtown Chico to support local businesses amid indoor capacity restrictions. These parklets expanded outdoor dining and created
vibrant public spaces that helped keep small businesses afloat and residents safely connected to their community.
In 2021, $300,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds were allocated for upgrading these parklets, but due to projected costs reaching over $1.1 million, the city discontinued the program by December 1, 2022.
The remaining funds were redirected to update a parking study, and 26 parking spaces were reclaimed - but at the cost of losing outdoor seating, pedestrian activity, and a key lifeline for local establishments.
Why Reinstating Parklets Matters
- Boosting Small Business Revenue: Parklets allow restaurants and cafes to expand seating capacity, increasing revenue - especially crucial during warm months and weekends.
- Creating Community-Friendly Space: These outdoor zones enhance the social and cultural atmosphere of downtown, drawing both locals and tourists.
- Improving Pedestrian Safety: Parklets create a buffer between sidewalk pedestrians and street traffic, slowing cars and encouraging foot traffic.
- Supporting Economic Recovery: With proper regulation and flexibility, allowing businesses to fund their own parklets could ease financial burden on the city while still revitalizing downtown.
- Environmental & Aesthetic Benefits: Well-designed parklets with planters or public seating beautify streets
and promote environmental sustainability.
Our Request :
Petition to Reinstate Downtown Chico Parklets
1. Explore revised funding mechanisms, including grants, business-led initiatives, or public-private partnerships to bring back parklets.
2. Allow individual businesses to construct approved parklets under a streamlined permitting process.
3. Include parklet reinstatement in downtown revitalization plans, as part of broader economic recovery and urban improvement strategies.
27 Comments
The parkways have been one of the best ideas for downtown in a long time . Bringing them back would add so much to the town and help support downtown businesses even further
I loved these palettes and it would be great if they came back. We love riding our bikes to downtown and enjoying the outdoors.
I understand that it cuts down on parking but that should push people to ride their bikes with all of these refurbished bike lanes. There are also the options of rideshare apps and local cab companies.
These were amazing and fostered more downtown community engagement and comfort. This also allows businesses to have more seating which provides more opportunities for small businesses to thrive in an already cut throat downtown.
As a local and a working member of the downtown community I hear from my customers and fellow community members on a weekly basis the desire to bring back downtown parklets. Naked lounge in particular would benefit greatly from having our parklet reinstated. Often times when seats inside are completely full and our 2 small outdoor bistro tables are occupied, people will resort to sitting on the curb (even in 100 degree weather). We would love to be able to better accommodate our beloved friends and downtown customers. I believe this decision would greatly help ours and a great number of other downtown businesses, such as Duffys, the Banshee and many more.
Chico has an average of 249 sunny days per year. Many successful businesses hit their capacity as the constraints of historical buildings are an issue downtown. Parklets and or extended options for patio seating make sense in our town.
Great idea for our community
Bring back all the outdoor seating !
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The parkways have been one of the best ideas for downtown in a long time . Bringing them back would add so much to the town and help support downtown businesses even further