Castro Pedestrian Mall

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On October 25, 2022, City Council adopted an ordinance establishing pedestrian malls on Castro Street between the east leg of West Evelyn Avenue and Villa Street, Villa Street and West Dana Street, and West Dana Street and California Street.

Future Improvements (2024 and beyond)

The next phase of improvements along Castro Pedestrian Mall include:

Artistic decorative street pavement treatments for the central walkway: Staff presented the concepts to the Visual Arts Committee (link) and Council Transportation Committee (link) in January 2024 for their consideration and feedback. Both committees recommended proceeding with the "Ribbons" concept with more coverage. City Council received project status update memorandum on May 20, 2024, that also includes revised concept addressing feedback received from the committees. (Memorandum, Attachment)
Wayfinding signage: Improved wayfinding through the pedestrian mall is one of the identified improvements for the interim conditions. The intent is to develop custom signage that will complement the new project elements and help facilitate pedestrian travel. As a part of this effort, the City is exploring removing the bus shelters and using these areas for wayfinding signage, display panels for City use, and other pedestrian mall needs.
Intersection improvements: The improvements at the intersections of Castro/Villa and Castro/Dana include converting to a single centralized crossing with new pedestrian signals and other traffic signal upgrades. These improvements will follow in the next two to three years and along with the California Street roundabout.

Castro Pedestrian Mall Interim Conditions

The Castro Street Pedestrian Mall Interim Conditions Plan is designed to strengthen the layout of the space, provide clear standards/ guidelines, and identify interim infrastructure needs as the street closure moves from pandemic recovery response to an interim closure phase.

On May 9, 2023, City Council approved Outdoor Standards and Guidelines for interim conditions that could be put in place for the next three to five years until a permanent pedestrian mall can be implemented.

Project Documents

Outreach and Engagement

January 30, 2024: Council Transportation Committee
January 17, 2024: Visual Arts Committee
May 23, 2023: City Council (City Code updates - 2nd reading)
May 9, 2023: City Council (public hearing to consider a new Outdoor Patio Program and associated City Code and Downtown Precise Plan amendments)
April 19, 2023: In person staff hours in Downtown (meeting notice, meeting summary)
April 12, 2023: Staff presentation at Downtown Association meeting
March 20, 2023: Council Ad Hoc Meeting
February 21, 2023: Staff presentation at DBA Meeting
February 1, 2023: Downtown Committee
January 18 and 19, 2023: Business and property owner engagement; In-person (Jan 18) and virtual (Jan 19) meetings (Meeting notice, Meeting Summary)
December 8, 2022: Council Ad Hoc Meeting (Meeting video)
October 25, 2022: City Council (Pedestrian Mall Ordinance - 2nd Reading)
October 11, 2022: City Council (Public Hearing)
September 28, 2022: Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
September 21, 2022: Council Ad-Hoc Committee (Meeting Video)
September 14, 2022: Parks and Recreation Commission
September 6, 2022: Downtown Committee
City Council June 28, 2022
City Council December 14, 2021
City Council Study Session October 12, 2021
Downtown Committee October 5, 2021
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee September 29, 2021
Business and public outreach open houses were held on August 12, 2021, and September 7, 2021, respectively.
An online survey was available for the public to provide feedback on the concept alternatives and consideration of closure for 200- and 300-blocks. Nearly 1,500 responses were received.

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