City to allow street closure permits for restaurants and businesses

As part of the City’s effort to bolster restaurants and other small businesses, SDOT will begin accepting applications for limited street closures today.

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced the plan last week, saying the street closure permits will be free and will give restaurants and retail stores more space to operate. The street closure permits will build upon the free sidewalk cafe and curb space permits that opened up last month.

Since it launched, SDOT has received 92 applications for the free sidewalk cafe permits. Businesses can still apply for the permit, which is available for up to six months.

Seattle District 6 Councilmember Dan Strauss raised the idea of closing Ballard Ave so it could become a cafe street back in May.

“I first heard the desire to have cafe streets from businesses in my district, who were thinking creatively about serving their customers while protecting public health,” Strauss said in a statement.

He continues:

“I expressed my early interest in seeing our city use our existing public space and rights-of-way to create a safe place to see one another and promote our small businesses.  It is important to maintain sidewalk space for people with mobility challenges while we promote economic activity. I believe we can do both, and I’m hopeful cafe streets will be a success for everyone using these pedestrianized spaces.”

In order to apply, businesses will need to, “notify and demonstrate support from neighboring businesses and residents of proposed street closures.” SDOT will waive permit fees, but applicants will be responsible for additional expenses such as road barricades, temporary no-parking signs, and tables and chairs.

SDOT has outlined some guidelines around what type of streets will be eligible for closure. For example, non-arterials, streets without bus routes, and single block applications will be easier to review and approve. For the full list of guidelines and to apply, click here.

SDOT is offering coaching for applicants; email publicspace@seattle.gov for more details.

Photo: Skål Beer Hall on Facebook

15 thoughts to “City to allow street closure permits for restaurants and businesses”

  1. Does mean I can camp on the closed off street? I’ll mostly urinate in my jug. Can I cook some meth too? Who wants a bike?

    1. Come on man, council member Strauss is too busy fighting the fascist police state, global warming and decolonizing Mars to worry about people who actually live in his district.

      1. Wasn’t asking, I was wondering. And now I’m asking you: Do you think I haven’t asked the DOT? Or Dan Strauss? Or Jenny Durkan?

        1. Not sure if you’ve asked them, but the fact that you are “wondering”, or basically thinking out-loud on this blog, makes me believe you either haven’t, or you’re just making yourself look ignorant by trolling. So which is it?

          1. I don’t troll. I speak my mind. And I do so to the losers who run this city every other day, even though I know it will do nothing. (Can’t wait for the defund the police rally in Bergen Place on Sunday.)

    1. I find it amazing, this whack-a-mole tent crap. Seems their dignity trumps our laws and ANY common sense. Is this the legacy our fearless leaders dreamed of when running for election? When she was 5 or 6 did mayor Jenny dream of the day she’d run this city, allowing mobs with weapons taking over parts? Hobo RV’s everywhere? Cartels bringing in copious amounts of drugs? Defunding the police??? And you get thumbs down here for your insightful comment. Crazy times in Bizerkley North.

  2. Wonderful + brilliant ideas here in Durkanville. Without their permanent underclass, total chaos, C-19 what in the hell would they have to do, defund the cops?
    Go to stopdefunding.com. 40,000 others have, to save our cops.

  3. “Mayor Jenny Durkan announced the plan last week, saying the street closure permits will be free and will give restaurants and retail stores more space to operate. The street closure permits will build upon the free sidewalk cafe and curb space permits that opened up last month.”

    At the same time jenny the bat opens things up the Governor closes them. Liberals, when will they ever have a clue.

  4. Outdoor seating at restaurants has been one of the few bright spots over these last few months – seeing fellow ballardites able to enjoy a meal is encouraging to say the least. Reminds me very much of European cities, and this is one feature that I hope will stay after covid is no more!

    1. I agree with you 100%. I’m struggling to see how they make this work in our long rainy season but for now it’s a joy. And, to be honest, it’s the only way I’m going to “dine in.” I’m not dining indoors till I have a vaccine shot.

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