In a move aimed at bringing more permanence and safety to outdoor dining and community spaces, the City of Orlando has updated its downtown parklet program. According to Orlando Weekly, this week the city council voted unanimously to revise the initiative started in 2020, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parklet program, previously set to expire on July 18, allowed restaurants and businesses to extend their operational space outdoors, using parking spaces and sidewalks.
The city's update, reported early this week, signifies a departure from makeshift solutions to a more structured system. While the initial approach was a bid to aid businesses during capacity restrictions, the new directive, which received a nod from the council ahead of the initial program's sunsetting, endeavors to establish parklets as a regular feature of the cityscape. The Community Redevelopment Agency-funded program, as detailed by WFTV, will transition from "temporary Covid-era wooden flower box parklets and water-filled transportation barriers" towards stable, enduring designs.
Under the revamped scheme, parklets are categorized based on their function: Dining Parklets for food and drink service, Main Street Community Parklets for general business patron use, and Micro-mobility Parklet Stations dedicated to e-bikes and scooter parking. Reflecting the policy changes, specifics about safety requirements and the process for establishing or removing parklets have been released, ensuring a standardized review process is in place.
Additionally, businesses are expected to handle the financial aspects of erecting and upkeep for these new parklets. The Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area will maintain ownership of downtown Micro-mobility Parklet Stations, while the ownership in neighborhoods will lie with the city’s transportation department. Owners of three existing parklets located at designated areas on E. Washington St. and E. Church St. must upgrade their facilities to meet the updated safety standards. If they fail to do so by December 31, their parklets face removal by the city, per details from Orlando Weekly.
