Novato Extends Living Streets Program

NOVATO, CA — The city of Novato is temporarily extending a popular street closure program.

The Living Streets Program has been extended through the weekend of Nov. 19-21, city officials said. The program typically starts in April and ends in early October.

The program aims to create a safe, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly shopping, dining, and recreation environment, city officials said.

Grant Avenue between Machin and Reichert Avenues will be closed every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight for the duration of the program, city officials said.

As part of this program, the city has installed new swing gates to allow for shorter, targeted closures while leaving the street open to regular vehicle traffic during typical retail business hours.

City crews will begin placing signs and clearing the two-block area of parked cars about an hour before the scheduled closures each weekend.

Free parking in and around the downtown area is available on adjacent streets and public parking lots.

Novato in June of 2020 became the first Marin community to pilot a full street closure program to help keep downtown businesses stay afloat amid the pandemic.