Thrive
Details for temporary on-street parking expansions announced for St. Pete restaurants, retail
Following Mayor Rick Kriseman’s announcement Tuesday that details would soon be on their way for expanded outdoor space for restaurants and retail establishments limited to 25 percent capacity by government order, the City of St. Petersburg today released application information for those businesses.
Kriseman had previously announced allowed expansions into private parking lots and adjacent outdoor spaces, and explained that conversations were being conducted with business owners on Central Avenue and Beach Drive to decide whether or not to allow further on-street expansion in those areas. Now, the City will allow businesses to expand into on-street parking spaces, regardless of their location.
According to information released by the city, “any businesses in any location where there is adjacent public street parking may apply for approval to expand seating and retail display into the adjacent public on-street parking spaces.”
The city will require numerous safety measures for expanded seating, including the state’s 6-foot physical distancing for all expanded seating, and for curbing to delineated for safety using reflective tape or visible color demarcation. Upon approval, the city will block off the street parking with “physical safety barriers,” after which the business may set up its expanded seating according to the approved plan.
There is no fee required for the temporary permit, and businesses may only reserve the spaces immediately in front of their business. For expanded outdoor seating and retail, the city is asking for amended seating and layout plans for all new and existing tables. For new seating and retail areas, the city requires standard submittal documents, including seating/layout plan, proof of liability insurance and hold harmless agreement. All documents can be emailed to: devrev@stpete.org.
For full details, click here.
Danny White
May 13, 2020at4:18 pm
So, this permitting even lets restaurants in some of the most challenging areas for parking to take even more spaces to exploit the 25% occupancy rule? I get the economics, just not the logic that went into this potentially dangerous arrangement was derived. Will there also be street closures to ensure those sitting at the edges of these commandeered spaces are not in harms way of vehicles; take Central Ave as an example with the slanted parking slots?
Elizabeth Maekie
May 13, 2020at6:02 pm
I think this idea is brilliant! So what we know and LOVE about St Petersburg!❤️💋🎈
Daniel Zumbro
May 15, 2020at1:02 am
I would be 100% for closing Central Ave for cars, and to be open for pedestrian use only. Permanently, much how it is in Europe.
Envision fountains in the street, lined with flower boxes, palm trees and more available bistro seating.