Council approves pilot North End Holiday Stroll street closure; BID to cover third‑party costs

The Manhattan Beach City Council voted 4–1 to approve a pilot closure of Highland Avenue for a North End Holiday Stroll, with the Downtown/North End Business Improvement District reimbursing third‑party vendor costs and the city waiving certain internal service fees.

Parks & Recreation Director Mark Layman told the council the requested closure (Sunday, Dec. 7) would add approximately $20,000 in additional city services and about $10,000 in third‑party costs (barricades and traffic control), bringing the total incremental expense to roughly $30,000. The special events committee recommended approval only for a Sunday evening to limit traffic impacts.

Jim Lampkin, representing the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, and North End BID leaders said closing the street would improve safety and create a more welcoming, walkable footprint for entertainment and vendor booths — a potential revenue source for a smaller BID that currently has limited reserves. Traffic staff said a typical Sunday diversion would route roughly 5,000 cars and recommended traffic management and restricted side‑street access to protect neighborhoods.

Council members emphasized outreach and a pilot approach. The motion passed 4–1; Mayor Pro Tem voted no, citing concerns about closure of a city arterial and the unbudgeted costs. Council asked staff and the BID to pursue sponsorships, neighborhood notice plans, and a small initial vendor footprint for the pilot, and to return with post‑event reporting if the event proceeds.

Speakers quoted are taken from the council transcript; for safety and fiscal clarifications refer to staff reports and the public works traffic analysis.

What happens next: The BID was directed to reimburse third‑party costs; the city will waive internal service fees. Staff will coordinate neighborhood outreach, traffic control plans, and vendor/stall specifications for the pilot.