Keep one eye on the street.
Business and civic leaders in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel are all expressing enthusiasm for the “parklet” concept. Businesses can add outdoor space by creating parklets that move tables out onto city properties, such as sidewalks and parking spaces.
City officials in Monterey are considering removing one lane on Alvarado Street to provide for more room for businesses to expand outside. Carmel has made sidewalks available for more than 30 restaurants and Pacific Grove is hearing nothing but glowing responses to the 11 parklets that line Lighthouse Avenue.
There are multiple ways to construct parklets, but the two most common are moving tables out onto former parking spaces or moving the sidewalk out to the parking spaces so patrons can sit between the sidewalk and the restaurants.
“It’s safer not putting diners next to traffic,” Johnson said.