City Council to Discuss Extending Downtown Outdoor Dining

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and indoor dining restrictions ordered by the state, City Council acted swiftly by adopting an Emergency Economic Recovery Ordinance in May 2020. The plan allowed for the closure of ten blocks of State Street to traffic, granting businesses outdoor expansion on State Street. The emergency ordinance is set to expire this March. City staff has proposed extending the ordinance, allowing businesses to operate outdoors and is seeking to transition the outdoor dining structures on the State Street promenade be portable to accommodate easy removal for parades and street cleanings as well as installing a 20-foot-wide fire emergency lane. City Council will discuss the proposed economic recovery extension and transition ordinance at their January 25 meeting.