The City of San Jose received the 2022 Innovation Award from the San Jose Chamber of Commerce (SJCC), for the Al Fresco Dining program during the COVID-19 pandemic. This award recognizes a leader that, within the past year, has demonstrated the innovative spirit that makes San Jose and Silicon Valley a world leader in forward thinking policies that lift people around the globe.

In accepting the honor on behalf of the City, OEDCA Deputy Director Blage Zelalich noted that providing a way for businesses to operate during the pandemic public health closures involved cooperation between 10 City departments: Public Works; Transportation; Fire; Police; Planning, Building & Code Enforcement; Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services; Cultural Affairs; Information Technology; Environmental Services; City Attorney; and Economic Development.  

"The initiative came forward from Mayor Liccardo and Councilmember Dev Davis in May 2020, when they saw the public health closures were hurting our small businesses," Blage noted in the video interview with SJCC president Dennis Seaver. "Their directive to staff was to find ways that businesses can operate outdoors in the public right-of-way." The options included "parklets"  on street parking spots, private and City-owned parking lots, parks, plazas and even closing streets to vehicle traffic.

Among the lessons learned, Blage noted, "People love being outside!" To keep the advantages of the outdoor business options going, the City is now working on improving the existing parklet program, with a grant program and help from the Knight Foundation to transition parklets from temporary to permanent, including design standards and support for installation. In addition, just this week the City Council voted to extend the closure of San Pedro Street through June, 2023, while we look into the design and costs of a permanent closure. The City will restart the Post St. closure on weekends, starting July 21, as we examine the issues of making that a permanent pedestrian area as well.

The award statement noted:  "It is no overstatement to say the work the city did on this initiative was a  lifesaver for so many small businesses,"  Watch the Chamber's video of Blage's acceptance on behalf of the City.