In accordance with physical distancing guidelines, restaurants may be able to use some parking spaces for outdoor dining this summer.
The City Council Tuesday night approved a new, temporary outdoor dining program, as restaurants gear up to start reopening for outdoor dining as part of the first phase of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s Forward Virginia plan.
The Forward Virginia plan sets guidelines for restaurants and many other types of businesses that were closed or cut back due to concerns about coronavirus and the spread of COVID-19.
In the King Street Outdoor Dining area in Old Town, “participants will be permitted to set up outdoor dining in parking spaces outside of their businesses in alignment with social distancing guidelines.”
Restrictions include the need for a current insurance certificate, and parking spaces must be away from intersections and not along busy roadways. The Old Town Business and Professional Association will work with restaurants on setting this up safely and legally.
The City will temporarily close the 100 block of King Street (close to the waterfront) to vehicular traffic during this first phase of Forward Virginia. Lee Street will be restricted to local traffic only between Cameron and Prince Streets.
The changes will allow restaurants to use portions of the sidewalk and street for outdoor dining tables. A wide path will be maintained in the center of the street for pedestrians to maintain physical distancing while walking on the block, and for emergency vehicle access.
City officials emphasized that the changes are not intended to create a pedestrian plaza or to encourage pedestrians to visit the area or to congregate. The temporary changes will remain in effect every day during Phase One, and the City will make a decision about next steps before the transition to Phase Two.
Outside of the King Street area, businesses can work with Planning & Zoning professionals in the City of Alexandria to set up safe and legal outdoor dining on sidewalks, parking spaces and in parking lots.
Dining in parking spaces could start as early as this weekend.
Details, rules and instructions for restaurant owners are available here.