The city is moving forward with an initiative aimed at easing the financial burden COVID-19 has placed on eating and drinking establishments downtown.
The proposal to permit pop-up patios on sidewalks and a portion of city streets was presented to city council at its meeting Monday evening.
The intent is to have the Pop-up Patio Program in place for the summer season, with the city being in a position to begin accepting applications by May 26.
The administrative report presented to council says the pandemic has had a deep impact on local businesses.
Eating and drinking establishments have had to reduce seating capacity to meet physical distancing requirements, resulting in a significant loss of revenue, the report points out.