First Partial Street Closure for L.A. Al Fresco Outdoor Dining Program Takes Effect this Weekend in North Hollywood

Today, LADOT implemented the first partial street closure as part of the L.A. Al Fresco program. L.A. Al Fresco supports restaurants impacted by COVID-19 by allowing for expanded outdoor dining options on sidewalks, private parking lots, and on streets by converting parking lanes and travel lanes to dining areas. 

”We’ve empowered business-owners and neighbors to tell us how they would like to use streets,” said LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds. “In hundreds of places across the city, they’ve told us that creating places for people to safely gather is a priority. Today marks the next phase of L.A. Al Fresco’s re-imagining of streets to support businesses and help neighborhoods to thrive.”

The first partial street closure converted a parking lane and eastbound travel lane on Magnolia Blvd between Lankershim and Vineland in North Hollywood. The dining area will serve several restaurants which will be deploying patio furniture in the coming days in accordance with social distancing guidelines so that the public can enjoy supporting local restaurants in a safe, comfortable environment. The restaurants partnered with the office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian to request and collaborate with the city on the partial street closure.

"Our NoHo Al Fresco program will be a lifesaver for some of the extraordinary independent restaurants that make the NoHo Arts District what it is," said Councilmember Paul Krekorian. "L.A. restaurants and their employees have suffered so much during this pandemic, and this program will provide dining opportunities for patrons who are eager to meet in a safe and socially-distanced environment."

To date, 1667 businesses have been approved for an L.A. Al Fresco Outdoor Dining permit. LADOT is planning additional street closures in communities throughout Los Angeles including Little Tokyo, Leimert Park, and Silverlake. Restaurants seeking to expand outdoor dining can apply for an L.A. Al Fresco permit online.

LADOT continues to adjust operations to assist residents and businesses comply with physical distancing requirements and limit the spread of COVID-19. These include relaxed parking restrictions, deferred payment deadlines for citations, a Slow Streets program to designate streets in residential areas for active use, online hearing and permitting procedures, elimination of pedestrian push buttons at intersections with high pedestrian activity, food and retail pick-up parking zones, switching traffic signals to "night mode" to reduce speeding, meal delivery by transit services, fare-free rides on all DASH routes, and service changes on transit lines.

More information on LADOT's COVID-19 response is available at ladot.lacity.org/coronavirus.