City Installs Colorful K-Rail Barriers as Part of Business Expansion OUT Zone Program

The City added colorful protective barriers known as k-rails to enhance the expansion of sidewalks to provide outdoor commercial space for restaurants, shops and personal care establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s all part of the Temporary Outdoor Use Temporary Zone (Out Zone) program, which allows qualifying WeHo establishments to operate their businesses from the inside out to ensure social (physical) distancing and meet protocols set forth by the LA County Department of Public Health and State of California, which currently prohibit many indoor operations in these sectors.

OUT Zones and other business relief measures are outlined in the City’s most recent Emergency Executive Order, available on the City of West Hollywood’s website: https://www.weho.org/home/showdocument?id=48059.

In July 2020, the City began its Temporary Outdoor Expansion Permit (TOEP) program by offering streamlined approval for businesses to use sidewalks, on-street parking spaces, and private parking lots as areas to expand operations.

In August 25, 2020, the city had a soft opening for the first phase of the new OUT Zones program.

In August 31, 2020, the installation of protective k-rail barriers were completed in time for National Eat Outside Day, which is a day when people are encouraged to enjoy a meal, picnic, or snack in the outdoors.

Six k-rail barriers have been installed on Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. They are located in front of Pura Vita Italian Restaurant, located at 8274 Santa Monica Blvd; Fiesta Cantina Mexican restaurant, located at 8865 Santa Monica Blvd., Rocco’s WeHo Restaurant and Bar, located at 8900 Santa Monica Blvd, Greenwich Village Pizza, located at 8935 Santa Monica Blvd., Zinqué restaurant located at 8684 Melrose Ave., and Rosaliné restaurant, located at 8479 Melrose Ave.

OUT Zones barriers are marked with colorful vinyl signage that encourages the community to “Dine OUT” for restaurants and cafes, “Shop OUT” for boutiques and goods, and “Werk OUT” for exercise and personal care.

More than 60 West Hollywood businesses have been approved for temporary OUT Zone permits, and during the coming weeks, there will be many new zones coming out in the City of West Hollywood. The most up-to-date list of participating OUT Zone businesses can be found at www.weho.org/outzones.

People exploring West Hollywood’s OUT Zones are reminded that the City of West Hollywood has a mandatory face-covering requirement and are urged to be mindful of maintaining six-feet of social distancing for dining, shopping, and personal care in the great outdoors.

Businesses interested in applying for the program are invited to watch a one-hour webinar that provides program details and information on submitting an application to temporarily expand business outdoors. OUT Zone permits are free, and all parking requirements have been temporarily waived. For more information for businesses regarding applying for an OUT Zone permit, contact Paolo Kespradit at (323) 848-6556 or pkespradit@weho.org.