A New Way to Dine
Last updated on September 18, 2020
The City of Orlando continues to seek innovative opportunities for businesses to conduct safe operations as well as provide residents and visitors safe experiences while in downtown Orlando during the global pandemic.
On September 8, Orlando City Council approved a Temporary Use Permit and up to $200,000 in downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funding toward the creation of “parklets,” which will allow downtown businesses to expand their retail sales and restaurant seating operations into adjacent on-street public parking spaces. This temporary parklet program supplements the city’s initiatives to support local businesses on their path to economic recovery while fighting the pandemic.
Downtown Orlando has several restaurants and retail establishments open under the Governor’s “Safe, Smart, Step-by-Step” plan. However, limited capacity exists inside most businesses due to physical distancing and observing state mandates. To help expedite a path to economic recovery and to further assist local businesses to reopen responsibly under the current guidelines, the city is accommodating the needs of downtown restaurants and retail businesses, as well as the needs of the customer, by transforming outdoor parking spaces into an active extension of the business’ operations.
In addition to City Council approving the Temporary Use Permit to allow for businesses to operate in on-street parking spaces, the CRA approved using up to $200,000 of previously-budgeted ParkDTO funds to support businesses hoping to expand their operation into parklets including helping to cover the costs of the metered parking for the parklet spots, barricades, furnishings and landscaping, related signage and other implementation expenditures. Parklets will be clearly identified and are positioned near appropriate businesses.
Any restaurant or retail business within the CRA with adjacent on-street parking spaces on city right-of-way is eligible to apply. To apply, and inquire about parklets, email cityplanning@orlando.gov.
Parklets are effective immediately and will continue through February 1, 2021.