Bulky downtown newsracks often block downtown storefronts.

Guidelines for outdoor furnishings should help revitalize downtown

Outside newspapers and television stations may slant the Los Altos City Council’s prohibition of plastic chairs downtown as a snob appeal move. We find this action appropriate in a commendable effort to improve the downtown atmosphere.

The council’s June 22 decision to ban plastic chairs outside downtown restaurants (after a nine-month grace period) actually follows on the heels of Mountain View’s plastic furniture prohibition. The way city officials there tell it, the action has, in part, contributed to Mountain View’s improved downtown reputation.

One might argue that plastic chairs contribute to a welcoming, informal atmosphere and the preferred wood and metal tables and chairs mean higher costs for businesses - and ultimately, their customers.

However, Los Altos could use a bit of classy infusion to put its downtown on par with its upscale community. The downtown has functioned, perhaps too informally, in the shadow of more popular districts in Palo Alto and yes, Mountain View.

The plastic furniture decision is part of several efforts under way to help revitalize downtown. We applaud these efforts, stemming from the city’s downtown revitalization committee.

Another improvement of which we approve concerns decorative railings used to enclose outdoor seating at downtown cafes and restaurants. Under council approval, railing designs are supposed to be compatible with their buildings and be attached to the outside walls. Such enclosures should allow for intimate, relaxed outdoor settings that will hopefully attract more customers.

There’s more that can be done. The bulky metal newspaper racks positioned in front of downtown stores obscure the view of storefronts and detract from a scenic downtown.

Repositioning the racks away from the storefronts and against the bare walls of buildings would open up scenic space while providing productive use of empty space. As an example, the racks in front of the Posh Bagel on State Street could be moved to the blank wall at the US Bank building along Second Street.

A current good example of proper rack placement is the grouping against the wall next to the Los Altos Coffee Shop on Second Street.

We appreciate the direction in which downtown revitalization efforts are going. We’re confident these efforts will result in more business and an enhanced reputation for downtown Los Altos.