FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2025
Westside Community Council Endorses Pedestrian-Friendly Main Street Moves; Calls on Other Community Councils to Join in Support
Ventura, CA — The Westside Community Council (WCC) has voted to formally support Main Street Moves (MSM), the continuation of the pedestrian-friendly project in downtown Ventura, and is encouraging other community councils across the city to join in endorsing this people-first vision.
Representing neighborhoods primarily within Ventura’s District 1, the WCC has, since its founding in the mid-1990s, been a consistent advocate for walkable streets, sustainable development, and community-centered planning through its long-term Westside Vision. Current WCC boundaries include new residential developments in the south Ventura Avenue and downtown areas — many of which are specifically designed to support car-free living.
Policy: Pedestrian-First Downtown for a Growing Urban Core
In its August 6th regular neighborhood meeting, the WCC heard a presentation from Venturans for People Oriented Places (Ventura POP) on the benefits of making downtown Main Street permanently car-free. The information presented confirmed what many residents already experience: the MSM area has increased foot traffic, expanded community gathering opportunities, enhanced downtown safety, and incubates business vitality.
Downtown Ventura has seen steady residential growth over the past twenty years, with hundreds of new housing units and mixed-use projects adding residents who depend on walking, biking, and transit for daily life due to reductions in parking requirements from the State. Unlike the traditional car-oriented model — where drivers pass storefronts at 30 mph — the new downtown pedestrian district invites connection at a human pace. This design fosters social interaction, supports local commerce, and creates a healthier and more livable city core. The WCC sees the pedestrian-friendly Main Street as a natural extension of our own initiatives, envisioning a connected greenbelt and pedestrian corridor within and around Ventura Avenue to link neighborhoods to other areas of the city. This would knit together housing, recreation, jobs, and culture, creating a continuous environment for walking, bicycling, and gathering — consistent with the city’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and inclusive public space.
Community Voices and Momentum
Opening Main Street for pedestrians and family-friendly transportation has created a vibrant, people-first space that reflects the values of our community. The WCC Board sees this as both honoring our Westside roots and preparing Ventura for a future where human connection comes first.
A Ventura POP representative described that downtown Ventura is performing strongly, having a lower retail vacancy rate when compared to the city as a whole. Demonstrating that MSM has not just been good for community life — it’s been good for local business.
MSM began as a temporary pandemic-era program and is now one of the city’s most beloved features. The WCC’s endorsement signals growing district-level momentum to make the closure permanent, with a vision for further investment in accessibility, design quality, and public programming.
Call to Action
The WCC invites other Ventura community councils, civic organizations, and residents to support making Main Street’s pedestrian zone a permanent part of Ventura’s future. By embracing this transformation, Ventura can position its downtown as a vibrant, safe, and inclusive heart of the city — welcoming to residents and visitors alike.
About the Westside Community Council
The Westside Community Council is a grassroots organization representing the interests of Ventura’s Westside neighborhoods. Through advocacy, community engagement, and strategic planning, the WCC works to enhance quality of life and promote equitable, sustainable development. To support our efforts or obtain more information, please visit https://www.westsidecommunitycouncil.org/ or email us directly at WestsideCommunityCouncil@gmail.com.