Waltham To Close Part Of Moody Street To Cars To Help Businesses

WALTHAM, MA — With a number of businesses — from hair salons to car washes — opening as the governor's reopening plan for the state gets under way, Waltham making a portion of Moody Street a pedestrian-only zone in an effort to help restaurants and businesses.

Beginning June 8 Moody Street from Pine Street to High Street will be closed to vehicular and bike traffic. The idea, approved this week by the Waltham Traffic Commission, is to help downtown restaurants and small businesses while they are not allowed to fully occupy their indoor space.

Restaurants, too, will be able to use the extra space for outdoor dining.

The street closure will last until Nov. 1, and involves an MBTA bus detour.

This isn't completely new for Moody Street. Last October, a group of community organizers and the Waltham Downtown Partnership worked to pilot a Pedestrian Plaza for the mayor's Krazy Daze, inspired in part by Cambridge's Memorial Drive closures for pedestrians and the popularity of pedestrian malls to help revitalize business areas. Moody Street merchants told Patch they loved it.

As of May 25, a number of businesses are permitted to open, provided they follow the governor's guidelines regarding wearing of masks, distancing and only permit 25 percent of the building capacity.

Restaurants have been permitted to stay open throughout the pandemic, but only for take-out or delivery orders. A number of Waltham restaurants have decided to close temporarily, amid the hardship.

Phase 2 of the state's opening, which might not come before June 15, would include opening restaurants to limited capacity seating, according to the state.

Read more:

• Waltham To Pilot Pedestrian Plaza On Moody Street

• Last Chance To Experience Waltham's Moody Street Plaza.

• Mayor Eyes Closing Moody Street To Help ...

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Waltham Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.