Pittsburgh city leaders streamline process, introduce standards for outdoor dining
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It's almost summer and who doesn't like sitting outside for some food or maybe for a drink?
But believe it or not, restaurants actually have to jump through a lot of hoops to set up their outdoor dining -- at least they had to before now.
Pittsburgh's Public Art and Civic Design Commission voted to standardize the method for getting outdoor dining approval. This essentially streamlines the application and permit process for local restaurants.
Jeremy Waldrup, the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said it's a big win for restaurants and the patrons in the city.
"I think outdoor dining is an amazing experience for just about anyone, especially here in Downtown Pittsburgh," he said. "It brings life to the streets. People love to see it. It supports our restaurants who quite frankly have struggled throughout COVID around the region. We really appreciate the city of Pittsburgh stepping up and expediting the permit approval process."
With a lot of outside input from civic organizations and groups, the commission voted on several affordable outdoor patio designs that restaurants can choose to set up and use. All of these designs have been approved by Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure and are accessible to everyone.
Waldrup said this new permitting process helps to ensure that local restaurants will continue to thrive and show off the Steel City in a great light.
"Active and vibrant streets are important to any community but here in Downtown specifically," Waldrup said. "We want folks coming into the Cultural District, coming into Market Square to really get scenes of what Pittsburgh is about. And we have such amazing restaurants. This is an opportunity for them to show off."
With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, there's no better time to check out some outdoor dining in our city.