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Continuing a practice that started last year during the pandemic, the city will open Cookman Avenue to pedestrian and bicycles to create a “Downtown Pedestrian Zone” on weekends, which includes the expansion of dining and retail onto the sidewalk and street.

Starting this Friday, vehicular through traffic will be prohibited from Fridays until early Monday mornings through Nov. 29.

This year there’s several proposed changes in the program.

The orange and white barriers that blocked vehicle access will be replaced by planters and more innovative structures that are aesthetically pleasing. In addition, this year there will be a focus on public art and music to complement the weekend pedestrian zones.. 

One of the complaints last year from retailers was that pedestrians were drawn excessively to the middle of the street. That pulled them away from the windows and front doors of retailers which hurt sales. So this year, the city will make sure there’s a five foot pedestrian lane — which has to stay clear — on the sidewalk on both sides of the street in front of businesses. The 20 foot wide center of the street will remain open for pedestrians and emergency vehicle access. 

An 11 foot zone will extend out from that 5 foot pedestrian lane into the street on both sides. That’s where businesses can locate outdoor retail sales or dining. 

Another problem last year was that the section of Cookman just off Main Street, which is a short block, was surprisingly quiet while other sections were busy. 

To combat that, programs of music and art will be centered on that block, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn told the triCityNews newspaper last month. 

Under the city’s Public Arts Commission, artists will be commissioned to install 14 works on 7 two-sided movable panels. The costs will be paid by a grant from the state Clean Communities program. Four of those panels will be on Cookman, and three on Springwood Avenue.

In addition, different programs of non-amplified music are planned, which is also a new feature this year. That too will be centered around the first block of Cookman off Main Street to increase the flow of pedestrians there. Last year, live music wasn’t possible because of restrictions on public gatherings. 

Deputy City Manager Mike Manzella told the triCityNews newspaper last month that as the weather gets warmer, and progress is made on the pandemic, it’s expected that current restrictions on public gatherings will be lifted that will allow the planned programs of music. As a result, the dates cannot be set yet until it’s known exactly when public gathering restrictions will be eased. 

Like last year, the eastern section of Cookman with Toast, Bonney Read, Lola’s Café and Talulah’s will be closed to vehicular traffic, and open to pedestrians and bikes, 24 hours a day for seven days a week. 

“The (schedule of the) planned closures are the same that we landed on towards the end of the summer last year after much iterating,” Quinn told the triCityNews. “We learned that the aesthetic of the open street was almost as important as when and where cars are restricted, so we are working on improving that through security planters and improved signage. We are also adding the opportunity for acoustic music two days a week and several art panels throughout the downtown and Springwood Park.” 

Quinn said that James Bonanno, the city’s new transportation manager, was a big part of developing the plan. 

The city also conducted a survey last year of downtown businesses on the Cookman Avenue program. Of the thirty seven who responded, 63 percent said it had a strong or some positive impact, with 41 percent saying the positive impact was strong. Twenty five percent said it had a strong or some negative impact, with 14 percent saying the negative impact was strong. Fourteen percent said it had no impact. 

“Honestly…what more could we ask for?” one retailer commented with their survey response. “This support from Asbury has allowed me to stay in business.” 

Another retailer stated that “The restaurants being open and on the streets is a huge draw for all businesses.”

And one restaurant owner said the program should be made permanent: “I think the city should consider implementing the street closures every year from May-September. Customers loved it, and I saw more foot traffic this summer then I ever have since the 12 years we’ve been in business.” 

The following is the statement issued yesterday by the city regarding the closing:

“To allow for the expansion of dining and retail and create a Downtown Pedestrian Zone, the following areas will be closed to through traffic and parking beginning Friday 4/30 at 1pm:

Cookman Avenue from Bangs Avenue to Emory Street – will be closed 7 days a week to through traffic and parking, and open to pedestrians, beginning Friday, April 30, 2021 at 1pm through Monday, November 29, 2021 at 7am.  

Cookman Avenue from Emory Street to Main Street – will be closed to through traffic and parking, and open to pedestrians, on weekends beginning Friday, April 30, 2021 at 1pm through Monday, November 29, 2021 at 7am. Parking and through traffic will be prohibited each week from Friday at 1pm through Monday at 7pm.”

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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