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Burbank council agrees to study Downtown Paseo changes after vendors and residents speak up
Summary
After multiple public comments defending the Downtown Burbank Cultural Market, the council voted to add a staff report on Paseo improvements and cultural market impacts to a future agenda and asked staff to return with concepts and timing.
The City Council voted Jan. 13 to agendize a "first step" report on proposed Downtown Paseo improvements and potential impacts to the Downtown Burbank Cultural Market after several residents and market vendors urged preservation of the weekly event.
Mayor Sharon Takahashi said staff has prepared concepts and a memo about proposed changes to the Paseo and asked the council to hear the report so the public can weigh in. Carmenita Heliger, a 20‑year resident, requested the item earlier in the evening and told the council: "We all know the numbers...this market is an ecosystem." Angelica Ojoa, a downtown vendor, said organizers take care to avoid competing with restaurants and called the market an asset that brings foot traffic and customers to local businesses.
City Manager staff said concepts and preliminary designs are available and that a fuller agenda item would likely return in a few months; the council voted by roll call to add the report and committed to addressing public concerns during the upcoming review.
Council and staff flagged several issues for the future report: design timing, event infrastructure (power and water access), aesthetic treatments for temporary vendor structures, and possible short‑term accommodations so events can continue while improvements are planned.
The agendizing vote was unanimous; councilmembers said the discussion will allow the public and business stakeholders to participate before any final design decisions are made.
