Walk on Wilshire
Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra (zooming in from London) addressed concerns raised by local businesses about the need for improved marketing and aesthetic enhancements in the city at the January 21 city council meeting. He highlighted that certain establishments, such as Les Amis, might benefit from a full closure, a proposal initially put forth by the mayor. While the projected costs for such a closure are high, Zahra expressed optimism that it could be more budget-friendly than anticipated if developed in phases.
Valencia raised questions regarding her compliance with the Levine Act after returning campaign contributions, which the city attorney confirmed was in order. Zahra acknowledged Councilmember Jamie Valencia’s return of campaign funds (allowing her to vote on issues concerning those campaign contributors with properties on WoW) but noted the continuing political complexities surrounding the matter.
Zahra made a motion to investigate the feasibility of a full closure. Mayor Protem Dr. Shana Charles sought clarification on Zahra’s motion regarding funding allocation, prompting Zahra to request guidance from Director Sunayana Thomas because he was abroad and unable to access comprehensive data.
Director Thomas outlined a budget range of $60,000 to $250,000 for essential evaluations, which would include activation, furniture, and initial proposals for the first phase would start at approximately $40,000 to $60,000. Mayor Fred Jung raised apprehensions regarding the accuracy of the estimated costs, particularly in light of significant increases since the pandemic. Thomas assured the council that they could act on current analyses, while Charles indicated that the $250,000 figure would encompass total expenses and the smaller amount. indicated only phase one.
Zahra suggested allocating $50,000 for the initial phase of the current closure without committing to the entire sum, emphasizing the necessity of assessing results before making further financial commitments. Thomas noted that expenses exceeding the budget would require additional discussions, and the $50,000 could potentially be recouped through parklet fees. Zahra made the motion to go forward with the $50,000 proposal for the first phase of the closure, pledging to bring any additional expenses back to the council for evaluation.
Valencia expressed reservations about the $50,000 motion, stressing the importance of further investigation into refuse services and possible economic impacts before deciding.
Director Thomas requested additional time to consult with affected property owners and utility agencies to identify feasible solutions. Jung pointed out a discrepancy between Director Thomas’s recommendations and a staff report regarding vehicular traffic on Walk on Wilshire. City Manager Eric Levitt underscored the necessity for further study.
Amid the discussion, Mayor Protem Dr. Shana Charles (who has a degree in urban planning) shared her vision for enhancing walkability in the city. She noted, “Almost 30 years ago, they were talking about how Portland was a walkable city – that was visionary at that time,” She said that walkability is now a priority for the younger generation.
Citing research linking walkability to enhanced economic viability, Charles also emphasized the community’s engagement, as demonstrated during recent “Walk on Wilshire” events, which saw pedestrian counts soar to 841 on one Friday. Business owners reported a noticeable uptick in sales attributed to increased foot traffic. She added that she was amazed by the success of the local cigar shop on Wilshire thriving in a state with one of the lowest smoking rates in the country.
The staff report showed that surrounding streets have been able to accommodate additional traffic impacted by shutting down Wilshire. Jung asked Director of Public Works Stephen Bise about daily traffic estimates on Wilshire, noting that the road currently sees 604 cars, significantly lower than surrounding streets. Bise explained, “The reason behind that is nobody drives on Wilshire anymore,” as it has been closed for five years.
With a focus on sustainable development and increased walkability, the future of Fullerton’s downtown is a topic that advocates like Charles and Zahra continue to champion. However keeping the 200-foot Walk on Wilshire or expanding it failed on a two to two vote. Charles and Zahra, Yes and Jung and Valencia, No (Dunlap recused due to family business on WoW). The tie vote ends WoW for now.
Public Comments
Due to number and length of comments both negative (7) and positive (30) they are summarized below. To hear comments in full visit the city website http://www.cityoffullerton.com and open the “Meetings & Agenda” tab, then enter 01/21/2025 into the search area and open the video for that meeting.
Seven Negative Comments
1) Chris Presta, owner of Back Alley Bar & Grill with courtyard entrance fronting on Amerige parking lot, said WoW “is unappealing at night with no lighting, and is sporadically used.” He asked, “if it is so great why aren’t Lagos and Heroes on Santa Fe asking for it on their street?”
2) A resident speaking of the upcoming Fox Block development said “Ellis is a dead-end street and would be good to close.” Although police and fire have signed off on WoW, he suggested there were emergency access problems in closing Wilshire and it should be reopened to cars.
3) Jack Dean (of FTFR) said he was a business and property owner who had been “eagerly anticipating its [WoW] end. He said if WoW remains – “there will undoubtedly be lawsuits. I videotaped [WoW] from the corner of the bar and nobody uses it,” he said.
4) Mike, identified himself as a downtown business owner who wants the street reopened to cars. “Nobody can get to my business,” he said. “It looks like a homeless encampment.”
5) Tony Bushala (owner of 124 Wilshire building west of WoW) said “WoW was driven by Covid but when that ended the street remained closed.” He named PourCo (entrance off Wilshire west of WoW), Les Amis (though they support WoW and the entrance is off Amerige parking lot), Ziings (entrances from Harbor and Amerige), and Back Alley (entrance off Amerige parking lot) as businesses who had been harmed by the closure. “The key to business is location,” he said, “but, If you can’t access it people are going to go elsewhere. None of the people here tonight have businesses on Wilshire. Everywhere is walkable downtown.” He recommended an “option 3 compromise like in Brea and Placentia where they only close the street for special events.”
6) Matt Leslie said that “all the things people are talking about here as being desirable in downtown Fullerton, like being able to walk around and visit shops, visit restaurants, and gather to even play Pokemon Go, which is what i honestly see happening most of the time down there, could be easily done without the road closure on Wilshire,” which – he said – was “incompatible with the city’s investment in the Bike Blvd.”
7) Layla, identifying herself as the landlord of the Wilshire Promenade called into the council saying ‘The street closure has negatively impacted our tenants, and 88 Cigar Bar, Slice, and ShabuShabu. We as landlords can’t make money – we need to drive through traffic. If it remains as is or is expanded we won’t make it.” (Fullerton Promenade Apartments is one of 252 apartment complexes owned by the largest operator of apartment complexes on the West Coast – the $18.5 billion Essex Property Trust, Inc.)
One comment neither for or against
1) Frequent council commenter Zee said he was not for or against WoW – But that if the city has $60,000 to $250,000 they should add sidewalks to Page Street for kids walking to and from Orangethorpe School and not invest in areas for people to eat outdoors. His claim that none of the WoW supporters showed interest in the sidewalk situation was later countered by an Orangethorpe parent and a WoW supporter who was working on that issue said we can have both.
Thirty Positive Comments
1) “What better time to prove your worth as representatives of the Public?”, Megan asked the council, pointing out the petition with 2000 signatures of residents and 65 businesses supporting keeping the 200-foot WoW pedestrian and bike-friendly.
2) A young man pointed out that “the staff evaluation has shown it to be viable and the people want it.”
3) Alison, a local business owner corrected disinformation that had been spread. She said that WoW is not to blame for the failure of the businesses that came out against WoW.
4) Loreda spoke about the law preventing council members from voting on issues involving their campaign donors. The law bars politicians from voting on issues concerning donors within a year of the contribution or to return contributions within 30 days of being informed of a conflict of interest. (Contributions to Jung’s 2024 campaign were made over a year ago, and – according to Valencia, contributions to her campaign were returned. (Jung /$9,800 from Tony & George Bushala, owners of property on WoW, and Valencia $2,500 from Tony Bushala and $500 from the Cigar shop located on the street.)
5) Vena, who wrote a letter to the council available in the session backup materials, pointed out “We can have more than one nice place in town.” The mic was cut off during her comment.
6) Kaitlen, a registered nurse, said “Social spaces to casually gather are healthy and needed” and urged the council to keep WoW open for residents, businesses, and visitors.
7) James Dunsmore, a local certified planner and designer of similar spaces in many cities, and who had submitted a plan to the city for WoW, said “Our family loves WoW.”
8) Garrett Diaz asked the council “Who would be against it?” He said, “When you go on vacation you go to places like this – Why not here? He urged the council to have “some courage and vision” and to listen to the public who have spoken for saving WoW.
9) Vanessa Estrella, owner of a longtime iconic business in Fullerton asked the council to “Do what’s right and listen to the overwhelming support from residents.” She said WoW has brought joy and enriches the lives of residents – it’s a place where families come. “At the very least preserve it as is.”
10) A newcomer to town said he and his wife moved here from the inland empire. “WoW is our go-to spot to bring friends and family. We really enjoy it.’
11) Dalton said ‘I live nearby and love to walk around town. It makes me feel connected.”
12) A District 1 (Jung’s district) resident said, “I support WoW as does everyone else – it is a comfortable outdoor area. Based on data. – it is a choice we can make. It is disappointing to me that our representatives don’t support the residents.’
13) Joseph Maldenaldo, a 5th District (Zahra’s district) resident said, “WoW is a friendly space that could be better utilized with improvements and events. Clearly, everyone wants it.
14) Jensen Hallstrom said he echoed the sentiments of the majority. He said, “The Fox Block design will be great – lots of cities have great features like WoW and the community wants it.” He pointed out that though WoW “is not designed at the moment it can be – it has potential and everyone cherishes it anyway.”
15) Matt Truxaw, former council candidate for District 1, said “Sponsorships could reduce costs” and suggested benches with memorial plaques. “All through the summer at every meeting, you have heard all the reasons to preserve WoW.”
16) A resident said “Walkability is why I moved to Fullerton. We can improve it – expand the Farmers Market. It brings a lot to the city.
17) Megan, a downtown business owner on Amerige, said her business was successful and suggested those having problems “to volunteer and Support WoW – ask, How can I be involved?”
18) Bradley, a third-generation Fullertonian said, “I. Design outdoor spaces and can see [WoW] is very feasible – business increases 10% at least in such areas.”
19) Jackie, a longtime District 2 (Dunlap’s district) resident asked the council to preserve WoW. “We come often. We love to explore Downtown. My family. Looks forward to this tradition. It has an overwhelming community response. Many communities have closed roads. WoW must stay for us all to enjoy. (Her mic was cut off at this point)
20) Elmer Batista who organizes Pokemon Go events on WoW, said he has brought 500 people to play on WoW and then they go on to explore the shops and restaurants of downtown.
21) Anjali, a business owner, said that it would be great to extend WoW to Malden and turn Fullerton into a destination. She told the council “This could be your legacy,” and asked them to ‘look beyond your campaign donors with selfish interests.” Saying there was no concrete evidence that any business had been harmed by WoW she suggested there may. Be other reasons for their failures – “As a business owner ‘if I don’t evolve my business, I don’t blame customers.”
22) A WoW supporter and parent who attended Orangethorpe Safer Street meetings countered an earlier comment that city money should not be used to improve family-friendly WoW. “I support extension of WoW – but if not that option at least keep it as is. The parklets will pay the city for the space.”
23) A young man asked the council to “Focus on the long term and not be swayed by a vocal minority.”
24) A commenter identifying himself as a “Fullertonian all my life” asked the council, “What is the reticence when there is such public demand? Why are you saying no?”
25) Biannca said, “WoW is a safe space for the community and is not the same issue as a sidewalk.”
26) Maureen Milton called into the meeting asking the council to keep WoW. “It is a very charming, enjoyable, and calming space with people enjoying being outside. Several. Businesses put lots of money into the parklets that they will lose if it is dismantled.
27) Cal Davis said he is “in favor of WoW as it is.”
28) Curtis Gamble, a frequent council commenter, supported WoW saying ‘people need open space too. Enjoy. If there’s nothing to do in Fullerton it’s not good. WoW could be a destination for apartment homes, visitors to Disneyland, and CSUF students. We need more places to go.’
29) Frequent council commenter Kurt Jonston speaking of the existing WoW, “if fixed up better, with more lighting – it would be better.”
30) Todd Harrison expressed concern over the community’s strong feelings towards the program, highlighting the divide between supporters and opponents. He noted the challenges in finding viable alternatives to a car-centric culture and emphasized the hard work of city staff and consultants. Harrison urged the council to take positive action and not dismiss the initiative, suggesting that it could be a significant change for the community and the environment. He advocated for a closer examination of the broader “slow streets” program.
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The quote you attribute to me above is a short summation of some of the comments I made about the Walk on Wilshire before the council on January 21. If you choose to post or print some of what I said and edit out the rest of it, please make it clear that you are doing so, and please do not put quote marks around your summation to imply that it is exactly what I said when it isn’t.
ED Response: Due to the huge number of comments – all were summarised. Anyone interested in the full comments can see the video for the January 21 meeting on the city website under Meetings & Agendas tab.
If comments are summarized, it should be noted in the story, and, as I learned in elementary school, quotation marks are only to be used for the exact wording of a person’s speech or writing. If you can make up a quote and attribute it to me, then you can do it to anyone else, and your readers would never know. Please use my exact words or remove the quotation marks and note that my comments were summarized.
ED Response: We did try hard to correctly report the gist of everyone’s comments including yours. There were a lot of great thoughts. We highly recommend readers tune into the actual video of the meeting under the Meetings & Agendas tab on the city website. Once there put 01/21/2025 into the search box.
Thank you for the correction.
ED: Thanks for pointing out errors – we’re happy to make corrections.
I certainly hope they keep the alley closed to vehicle traffic. I don’t want to see a New Orleans type event happen.