Re: “Outraged Owner Demands Relief from City”

“The woman just does not understand what CicLAvia is all about,” City Councilman Jim Clarke said of Lynne Davidson, owner of Tito’s Tacos who is furious at City Hall for blocking off driving access to her hugely popular business on Sunday, Aug. 9.

“I wish I had mentioned this to her at the Council meeting,” Mr. Clarke said. “They estimate 150,000 people who will be participating in CicLAvia, who will be going by Tito’s Tacos.

“If one percent of the people stop at Tito’s Tacos, because people are familiar with Tito’s and they know Tito’s has great food, Tito’s will sell 1500 tacos,” Mr. Clarke said, his voice rising.

Ms. Davidson is threatening legal action, asserting that the city effectively is closing down her Washington Place business for a day – especially since virtually all customers arrive by car.

For this edition of CicLAvia, known as When Culver City Meets Venice, Washington Place will be off-limits to car traffic most of the business day, from about 8:30 to 4:30.

Mr. Clarke disputed Ms. Davidson’s charge that Washington Place will be blocked off for eight hours or more, during peak business hours.

“It is not blocked off,” Mr. Clarke said. “It is just that cars can’t travel on Washington Place.

“All of the bicycles and all people on foot will walk right by Tito’s Tacos.”

CicLAvia, a sprawling bicycling event that designed to discourage car driving, is marked by numerous closed-off streets, has made one previous appearance in Culver City.