Business owners urge Ventura to reopen Main St.
Tracy Lehr
VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Business owners are pushing the Ventura City Council to reopen the closed protons of Main and California Streets.
For the second week in a row they took part in public comments.
They also held signs.
“It is just killing us as business owners, when people could drive through it, it created more community,” said Folke furntiture store owner Matt Rascoe.
Michael H. Hernandez of Real Investments agrees.
“We are losing multiple tenants we are losing businesses and it is almost nearly impossible to rents or sell the properties today with the street being closed,” said Hernandez.
Business owners inside and near the closure on California and Main said it may have worked during COVID but it is now hurting business, especially Mondays through Fridays.
Multiple businesses have closed.
They are urging Ventura City Councilmembers to put the issue back on the agenda before more businesses close.
Deputy Mayor Doug Halter did not say whether it would become an agenda item but said he is listening.
“Throughout our discussions on the Main Street Moves program we’ve seen and heard a wide range of perspectives on the benefits of the closure as an experiential placemaking destination. Every voice plays an important role in this process, and I will continue to make decisions guides by what I believe best serves the interests of the community,” said Halter.
Main Street Moves is the name of the closure.