Editorial: Creating a downtown parklet program is wise decision

Council members deserve credit for admitting change of heart

Parklet of Station 55 restaurant. Photo courtesy Zach Hilton from YouTube video.

This editorial was published on GilroyLife.com on January 25, 2024

The Gilroy City Council made the right decision at the Jan. 22 meeting when they unanimously approved creating an ongoing downtown parklet program. This reversal came after their deeply misguided vote in December to force the removal of the Station 55 restaurant’s parklet structure while allowing a nearby parklet at Tempo Kitchen & Bar to remain.

Public outcry rightly rained down over this unjust targeting of a Latina small business owner. It became clear that the December vote was based more on whims than sound policy. Otherwise, why prevent one existing parklet but not the other? Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed after supporters rallied passionately in defense of the downtown restaurant community.

The council members deserve credit for admitting their change of heart. As Councilmember Dion Bracco acknowledged, the city helped create confusion by allowing parklets under various temporary arrangements before pulling the rug out. While a survey showed mixed opinions on parklets, sometimes leadership means making decisions not solely based on a narrow populism but for the greater good.

The pandemic devastated many local businesses, with restaurants among the hardest hit. Now that we finally have tools to manage COVID risks, we should be focused on recovery, not putting up barriers. Outdoor dining spaces have provided a lifeline — supporting them with a clear, fair policy is common sense.

Beyond helping restaurants, parklets also facilitate downtown vitality and community. They invite gathering and give Gilroy charm. This revision puts people over politics while boosting an industry that brings jobs, culture, and tax dollars. The council listened to reason and chose compassion for struggling neighbors. Through openness, patience and good faith compromise, leaders modeled how a community can come together to solve problems.

Unfortunately, the initial 4-3 vote against the Station 55 parklet stirred accusations of discriminatory bias against owner Teodomira Castillo as a Latina entrepreneur. The fact that the structure at Tempo was allowed to remain standing activated concerns over unfair double standards.

While the two parklets indeed arose via different programs, sequencing should not determine destiny. Many supporters rallied behind Castillo, arguing the unequal protection went counter to a fair business environment.

Moving forward, we must continue nurturing inclusion downtown and ensure business owners of all backgrounds receive their impartial share of opportunity. Economic revitalization cannot leave minority groups behind. The council’s course correction on the parklets was the first step in rebuilding trust and preventing similar dustups over alleged unfairness. Open dialogue, active listening and extending good faith even in disagreement can keep our community centered on shared goals.

Beyond the parklet controversy, we must not lose sight of the bigger vision for reinventing downtown Gilroy into a bustling and inviting food scene. For too long, the city has failed to leverage its global fame as the Garlic Capital of the World into a thriving culinary destination.

The re-imagining of Gourmet Alley into a European-style walkable epicurean district with outdoor dining and event space can make this dream a reality. Station 55 Seafood and Mexican Cocina epitomizes the spirit of innovation we hope will spread. Their popular parklet has shown how we can bring food (especially cuisine infused with garlicky flavor), community and culture out onto the streets.

The council’s wise shift on parklets removes an obstacle to progress. We hope this signals a new chapter where leaders and entrepreneurs collaborate to put Gilroy on the map for food lovers seeking authentic and bold flavors. With the pungent goodness of Gilroy garlic as our mascot, we are poised to become a must-visit locale for Bay Area foodies and tourists alike. But it will require a shared commitment to nurturing culinary small businesses willing to enliven our downtown.