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City moves toward pilots on State Street: sidewalk ‘pedlets’, standardized dining furniture and shuttle trials
Summary
City staff described pilot projects for State Street—modular sidewalk extensions dubbed 'pedlets' for the 500 block, a sidewalk reconfiguration pilot on the 1200 block, standardized outdoor-dining furniture and mobility pilots (tri-shaws and small shuttles)—and set target implementation windows in spring/summer 2025.
Public Works staff presented an update to the City Council on Jan. 28 on the State Street Short-Term Action Plan and listed several pilot projects staff plan to test and refine before finalizing the State Street Master Plan.
Key pilots described by staff (Sarah Clark, Downtown Team Manager): - 1200 block sidewalk pilot: shrink some planter footprints (keep existing trees), refresh lower-level landscaping and expand sidewalk dining; staff estimates roughly $60,000 for the work and expects construction after the film festival as part of a sidewalk brick-repair project. - 500 block “pedlets” pilot: modular, removable sidewalk extensions (8 feet wide) designed to move on-street dining from parklets onto expanded sidewalk platforms; staff estimates the pedlet pilot cost around $453,000 and targets installation for Memorial Day; engineering, police and fire review and community outreach were described as ongoing. - Outdoor-dining standardization: staff and Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) subcommittee proposed a small set of uniform furniture options and will return to HLC to evaluate a potential city purchase/lease program for standardized tables and chairs. - Amenities and placemaking: staff presented an array of potential low- and medium-cost amenities—musical elements, game tables, play blocks and large interactive sculptures—and a pilot budget subtotal of roughly $162,000; funding source not finalized. - Mobility pilots: staff described coordinating with Cycling Without Age (volunteer tri-shaw rides), testing small 6–7 passenger accessible golf-cart-style shuttles during peak times and a return of an MTD circulator shuttle for summer 2025 (MTD proposal under review; estimated pilot cost communicated in the presentation).
Public and council response: Several presenters emphasized ADA access, safe tie-downs and driver training for any tri-shaw or cart-based service, and asked staff to confirm liability and insurance terms. Accessibility advocates asked for wheelchair-accessible vehicles and clear tie-down/securement systems; others urged year-round shuttle service rather than a limited summer pilot. Councilmembers supported piloting ideas but emphasized safety, equitable impacts for all businesses, and the need to coordinate parade routes and emergency vehicle access when parklets and pedlets are installed.
Next steps: staff will continue vendor procurement for pedlets and outreach to affected businesses, coordinate with the Historic Landmarks Commission and Access Advisory Committee, finalize a procurement/lease vs purchase analysis for pedlets and furniture, and return with implementation details. Pilots planned for spring/summer 2025 will inform the final State Street Master Plan expected later in 2025.
