Melrose Mulls Main Street Closures, Outdoor Dining To Boost Biz

MELROSE, MA — Shutting down parts of Main Street and creating sidewalk extensions for outdoor seating are among the initiatives being considered to boost local business and customer confidence as the city begins the process of reopening its downtown and other business areas.

The Small Business Task Force on Thursday revealed in a press release what plans are being discussed to aid the bounce-back of local commerce. The most innovative ideas involved making more space for customers and businesses at the expense of space usually reserved for vehicles.

"We are currently working on exploring ways to better utilize the downtown portion of Main Street to allow for a comfortable pedestrian and customer experience," the press release said. "This could be achieved by closing down a portion of Main Street to vehicular traffic on specific days/evenings during the week."

That idea, which is not dissimilar from ones being considered in Boston, is being discussed with surrounding business owners and residents. It would not be implemented until future reopening phases in Massachusetts; The second phase can begin June 8 at the earliest.

The task force is also considering "parklets," which are sidewalk extensions that would create more space and amenities for customers — including outdoor restaurant seating.

One change that appears imminent is the introduction of parking spaces dedicated to quick pick-ups in front of local retailers. The Task Force said it has been working with the Traffic Commission and "we hope to have this implemented shortly."

Some of those ideas are not new to anyone who keeps up with the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee. The committee has been in touch with some members of the Task Force, and is pleased with seeing some proposals potentially get a trial run.

"You can't know how any of this stuff is going to work beforehand," Jonah Chiarenza, chair of the committee, told Patch. "You need to go in with the confidence and be gutsy and say we're going to try this out because it's in our best interest ... Frankly we can be better for it in the end."

The Task Force is also working with medical marijuana facility Garden Remedies and the Health Department to create and distribute packages with hand sanitizer and masks to businesses, has conducted an online survey with small business owners and distributed federal and state reopening safety guidelines.

The Task Force is using the tagline "Melrose - Back in Business," which will adorn a banner above Main Street and other marketing materials throughout the city, and is funding a "Thank You, Essential Workers" mural that Follow Your Art will put on the side of the YMCA as soon as next month.

Anyone with questions or ideas for the Task Force can email Mayor Paul Brodeur's Chief of Staff Patrick Prendergast at [email protected].