COMMERCE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS -- Part 13

Main Streets, Business Improvement Districts and Downtowns Lead the Way

OBID also is providing a lot of cleanups of streetscapes and disinfecting of pedestrian “walk” light buttons – to make the area safe for those patronizing the neighborhood.

“We are a dense urban district with no drive-through opportunities, but our restaurants have adapted wonderfully.

Many have removed tables and chairs to make room for customers waiting to maintain the required minimum 6-foot social distance inside while others with smaller spaces have restricted interior access and have set the tables up at the main entrance for quick and easy pick up,” she said.

Petropoulos said the Oakland and BIDs nationwide must create a new narrative of how density and the built environment impacts people, in respect to staying safe during a pandemic.