Bubblegum Alley is open now, but SLO has a plan to wall it off temporarily if needed
City officials in San Luis Obispo are not closing Bubblegum Alley right now, as some might have feared with some modeling of how wood barriers might be installed at both entrances this week.
But city officials say they are monitoring the situation at the popular landmark that attracts tourists, shoppers passing by and shutterbugs for its rare — though some might say icky — exhibition. And they could cut off access if needed.
“At this time Bubblegum Alley is not closed,” said Lindsey Stephenson, SLO’s recreation manager, told The Tribune in an email. “The city will continue to monitor and observe for the potential uptick in visitors. City building maintenance staff assessed the alley for a potential temporary structure, in case there is a need for social distancing in Bubblegum Alley.”
Stephenson said it’s too soon so say how the city might proceed exactly, but it would be a temporary measure and “the only discussion so far is a complete closure without entry,” thus blocking access to the alley.
Stephenson said the city could use wood barriers — with an artistic image of the alley on the front — should it be needed.
City officials want to make sure physical distancing is practiced moving into the summer months.
The alley has a confined, narrow space that might not allow for appropriate distancing depending on thenumber of people who visit at once.
SLO officials have not noticed more people in the area but just want to monitor the location as the downtown slowly reopens amid the coronavirus pandemic, Stephenson said.
On Tuesday, local radio show host Adam Montiel posted a photo on Instagram showing wood barriers at the entrances and questioning whether the alley might be in the process of being closed off.
“Up & Adam in the Morning correspondent and show contributor Jaime Juarez called the show today to report on air what he was witnessing: city officials apparently legit boarding up and solidly closing the alley,” Montiel posted in a comment Tuesday morning, saying that he was reaching out to the city for more information. “... It’s seems easy to understand why, question is, is it permanent? Have calls into city now. Is it time for Bubblegum Alley to permanently close?”
Several commenters pondered about the presence of the 15-foot high, 70-foot-long attraction on the 700 block of Higuera Street, some calling it an eyesore and for the city to get rid of it.
The landmark ranks 27th on Trip Advisor of 65 things to do in SLO, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars, getting mixed reviews from visitors, including those who enjoyed the spectacle.
“Cool place to visit in downtown San Luis Obispo,” one commenter posted. “Close to Cal Poly SLO. We looked up the history and learned why it’s there. ... Then we added to the wall. After you visit this place, there are plenty of shops to check out & great restaurants to eat at.”
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