The next three months may prove to be a trying time for our downtown businesses. Much of Monterey Road from Main to Dunne Avenue will be the host to some form of construction over the next three months.
The good news is that the construction will move at an accelerated pace and be done in those three months. The bad news is that it is still three months.
In the beginning you will still be able to travel by auto in the traffic lane like we have it now. And so far in the first few days of lane and shoulder closures, bicyclists can still use the buffered lane established during the city’s complete streets trial. But as the road work progresses, bicyclists will have to find another way through downtown or share a lane with the rest of traffic because the current bike lane will be sacrificed for construction.
Street parking will pretty much be eliminated so that construction vehicles can park next to their work.
The sidewalks will remain open but you’d better watch your step because there will be plenty of work there too.
The second phase will then take the current traffic lane, next to the median, and make it construction parking and move traffic into what had been the buffer lane (which held the bike lane). The good news is that we then get our street parking back.
The complete streets pilot test has come to an end. Whether you are a proponent of making it permanent or never seeing it return again, it is over for now. Valuable data has been collected and soon we’ll see what the numbers look like. But I’m sure the sentiment of the community will also weigh heavily in any future decisions.
It will be a trying time for any business in the downtown area. It’s time to embrace and support our downtown businesses like never before. Our downtown has never been an easy place for our businesses. Just a few years ago the economy made it downright hostile, so this is a time for them to prosper; and I believe they will.
When all of the upcoming changes are complete, the downtown is going to be a nicer and friendlier place for visitors.
There will be so many more comfortable areas to just sit and relax, which is what I’ll be doing gazing at the subtle landscaping and architectural touches and talking to my friends. At night I’ll hang out in the glow of lanterns in the trees and the light shining through wonderfully sculpted cut-outs in metal panels beneath the many seating areas.
There are so many wonderful touches that I can’t even mention them all here, but the feel will definitely be Morgan Hill with a nod to much of our heritage. From the wood plank pattern of the concrete in some of the walkways to the wine barrel hoop lanterns in the trees, almost everything has a real connection to the Morgan Hill that we love.
Physical changes can take place quickly. Getting the community used to the changes can take a little longer. But I believe that the changes to our downtown will help bring more people than ever to our shops and restaurants.
We all just need to accept a little dust and noise and inconvenience and keep patronizing our businesses downtown. You will benefit from a good meal or shopping experience, and your businesses will be there to continue providing you with those experiences.
John McKay is a city planning commissioner and a co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance.
