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A new—and better—normalAs we begin to relax our stay-at-home order, Portland's shops and restaurants will need much more space to safely reopen at full capacity in the coming months.
To solve this problem, we seek to turn our main streets into outdoor cafés, open-air retail, public plazas, and pedestrian promenades. We'll work with local businesses and community organizations to make this happen in a community-driven, grassroots way. In addition to boosting local business, pedestrian plazas make for a healthier and more social community. They’re places where people can meet with friends, people-watch, sit for a cup of coffee, or stroll with a lover in a beautiful, welcoming environment. They’re places for live music, dancing, and all sorts of exciting activities. Promenades are exactly what Portland needs moving forward. They are the physical spaces that will help businesses thrive and bring the people of our city closer together by having more fun—rain or shine! |
Recent examples (updated 5/22):
Denver, CO: https://kdvr.com/news/coronavirus/denver-may-shut-down-streets-to-allow-more-restaurant-seating-during-pandemic/
Tampa, FL: https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2020/05/18/tampa-street-cafes-could-become-regular-event.html
Berkley, CA: https://sf.eater.com/platform/amp/2020/5/14/21258980/berkeley-coronavirus-covid-19-jesse-arreguin-street-closures
Portland, ME: https://wgme.com/news/coronavirus/portland-approves-plan-to-close-streets-for-outdoor-dining-shopping
Seattle, WA https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/05/29/43784732/dan-strauss-calls-for-allowing-outdoor-dining-in-the-middle-of-ballard-ave-nw?fbclid=IwAR22LWCkfUbnRKuA5gw9aaOxNceXYV4i4PCd9WEjhMCDinXA14j6LWX_KaA
Wilmington, DE: https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20200519/survey-most-favor-closing-streets-for-wilmington-dining
Hopewell, VA: https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/hopewell-to-close-streets-downtown-to-accommodate-outdoor-dining/
Indianapolis, IN: https://www.wthr.com/article/indy-close-several-major-streets-help-restaurants-expand-outdoor-dining
Vilnius, Lithuania: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/lithuanian-capital-to-be-turned-into-vast-open-air-cafe-vilnius
Tel Aviv, Israel: https://ftnnews.com/tours/39510-pedestrian-friendly-tel-aviv-to-have-11-new-pedestrian-streets
Tampa, FL: https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2020/05/18/tampa-street-cafes-could-become-regular-event.html
Berkley, CA: https://sf.eater.com/platform/amp/2020/5/14/21258980/berkeley-coronavirus-covid-19-jesse-arreguin-street-closures
Portland, ME: https://wgme.com/news/coronavirus/portland-approves-plan-to-close-streets-for-outdoor-dining-shopping
Seattle, WA https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/05/29/43784732/dan-strauss-calls-for-allowing-outdoor-dining-in-the-middle-of-ballard-ave-nw?fbclid=IwAR22LWCkfUbnRKuA5gw9aaOxNceXYV4i4PCd9WEjhMCDinXA14j6LWX_KaA
Wilmington, DE: https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20200519/survey-most-favor-closing-streets-for-wilmington-dining
Hopewell, VA: https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/hopewell-to-close-streets-downtown-to-accommodate-outdoor-dining/
Indianapolis, IN: https://www.wthr.com/article/indy-close-several-major-streets-help-restaurants-expand-outdoor-dining
Vilnius, Lithuania: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/lithuanian-capital-to-be-turned-into-vast-open-air-cafe-vilnius
Tel Aviv, Israel: https://ftnnews.com/tours/39510-pedestrian-friendly-tel-aviv-to-have-11-new-pedestrian-streets