COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Columbus announced it’s extending its outdoor dining program once again to Nov. 14 to help out restaurants in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, launched in the summer of 2020, allows restaurants and bars to use the right of way for temporary outdoor on-street dining areas or expand seating into their parking lots.
“The city of Columbus is pleased to extend this program again and work with our local restaurants and bars to provide safe outdoor seating options for patrons,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther in a press release. “The successful pilot supports the industry, our economy, and the health and well-being of our community as we continue to fight this virus.”
The temporary outdoor seating areas have to comply with state and local health requirements aimed to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19, such as tents having to be open on two sides for ventilation and no combustible heaters.
“The Ohio Restaurant Association appreciates the ongoing partnership with the city of Columbus as their leadership continues to support the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said John Barker, president and CEO of the ORA. “Extending outside street dining helps our operators expand their restaurant footprint, welcome more guests and add to the ambiance of our great city. We thank Mayor Ginther and his administration. With this extension, we look forward to a prosperous fall season where outdoor dining helps our restaurants, bars and foodservice locations continue to rebound from a very challenging 2020. Our operators pledge to safely serve guests, and the expanded space helps keep restaurant workers employed.”,
So far, 12 restaurants are participating in the right-of-way dining and 24 others having extended seating into parking lots. Participating establishments will be contacted by Public Service and Building and Zoning Services to see if they want to continue their extended seating to Nov. 14.
New applications are still being accepted, which can be submitted online.
