The City of Edmonds Walkable Main Street program is returning this weekend — Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20.
Main Street will be closed from 6th to 3rd avenues, starting at 8 a.m. Saturdays and reopening before 8 a.m. Mondays. Vehicle U-turns will continue to be allowed around the downtown Edmonds Fountain, with clear pedestrian pathways protected by metal crowd fencing. The program will conclude over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-5.
“We are excited for the return of this popular summer program that promotes the charm of our city, encouraging shoppers and diners from Edmonds and the greater Puget Sound region to enjoy our downtown,” Mayor Mike Nelson said.
This is the second year for the program, which was instituted last year in response to the COVID-19 outbreak to provide safer outdoor dining and shopping experiences for customers. In deciding to run the program again this year, the city faced pushback from some local merchants, who said the closure removed valuable close-by parking and hurt their businesses. A group of business owners instead proposed a Sunday-only closure, but that was rejected.
According to the city, visitors this year will find more areas of public parking this year, in the following locations:
- Public Safety Complex at 5th and Bell
- Behind/below City Hall
- Adjacent to City Hall on the south, accessible by the alley (ADA parking will be added here)
- Additional ADA and drop-off spaces will be available at 4th and 5th Avenues.
The city also said it will provide more seating and tables along Main Street, music will be added on Saturday afternoons, and there will be drop-in activities and games. Wayfinding banners will be added along the closure barricades, along with flyers that invite visitors to visit shops and restaurants in the Walkable Main Street area as well as throughout the downtown core.
So, the shacks are staying? Is 5th South of fountain open so we can get out and up to Edmonds Way, like last year. And drive to my bank?
Thank you for some extra parking but you still need a parking garage..Later
The music and games sound fun.
There actually is no additional parking as the parking mentioned already existed last year. There will actually be less parking as the commons parking lot will not be available. More smoke and mirrors and unfulfilled promises by the mayor.
Brother. Lovely. Game on. He’s had his notice. Apparently the merchants aren’t doing anything but laying down…I suppose they have been convinced their coupons and incentives will help. I feel for them. I feel for the naivete.
He can take our parking away. But he cannot keep the rest of Edmonds out…even if we only come to hang out. This will finish off the merchants who are hoping for out of town, near by shoppers. Don’t expect huge Holiday profits…So sad. I do feel very sorry for the merchants.
I see. Thanks for the info.
FANTASTIC! Get people out of their cars and walking a bit. We visit downtown and browse the shops much more, and enjoy dining out during Walkable Mainstreet. Its nice to see visionary city leaders create people space, following the lead of Bothell, Kirkland, and yes Rick, so many European towns and cities. Thank you.
Well, some people don’t want to have a little hike before shopping. Some people want a place to keep their packages as they continue to shop. Some people if interested in a good walk go to the zillion woodland areas and trails if they want a nice walk.
I take care of myself. I walk. I do yoga. I dance. I am in amazing shape, according to my Dr. I am sick and tired of this constant encouragement to walk…mind your own business. I don’t tell you how you should manage your health. But there sure are comments I could make about Walkable??? Mainstreet. I won’t though. Your business and health are up to you.