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Well, it’s done. The debate is over. California Avenue, Palo Alto’s “second downtown” will now become a permanent pedestrian mall. No cars allowed. Permanent decision, city officials declared. Apparently, the city council will receive no updates in the future as to whether this car ban is working, how much the car closure has financially affected […]

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.

Diana Diamond is a long time, experience journalist who has been a staff member of the San Jose Mercury News, serving on its editorial board and has been editor of the Daily News and the Daily Post. She...