Sacramento's streets are continuing to keep the pandemic-era Al Fresco outdoor dining vibe alive, with the City Council recently getting an update on the initiative that's been boosting local businesses and city aesthetics. Launched in 2020 as a means for restaurants to stay afloat during the COVID-19 health crisis, the program has since cemented itself as a permanent fixture, leveraging Sacramento's agreeable weather to enhance community and walkability.
The permanent Al Fresco Dining Program, set in stone by the Council in 2022, is designed to enable restaurants to seamlessly extend or build new outdoor dining areas. By using pre-approved design plans, businesses can now spill onto sidewalks, take over parking spots, or make the most out of private properties. Getting this done involves a simplified permitting process and a range of layout options — from no-frills to high-end — all ticking the boxes for safety, accessibility, and visual appeal. As reported by the Sacramento City Express, Parking Manager Staci Kranitz explained they've worked "side by side with business owners, design consultants and neighborhood groups to ensure that Al Fresco is not only vibrant and inviting, but also safe, accessible and sustainable."
The program's success is painted clearly across the cityscape; 16 new Al Fresco patios have popped up, five are in the throes of construction, and 21 more applications are under eager review. These complement the over 150 existing outdoor cafés within central Sacramento's public rights-of-way. Expanding citywide, staff are taking an inventory of dining areas to unify design standards and upkeep.
To transform temporary dining setups into permanent fixtures, the city didn't hesitate to open its wallet, offering grants up to $20,000 for design, construction, and permitting costs. Between January and September 2023, 87 applications rolled in, gleaning $365,000 in grant support. The investment has materialized into 11 public patios and nine private lot dining experiences, plus helping at least 10 restaurants to firmly convert to the program. Going forward, the city plans to maintain support for businesses, align older outdoor patios with fresh standards, and ensure the public knows every resource at their disposal. They’ve also set sights on closely monitoring the initiative's ripple effects on businesses and neighborhoods, poised to adjust designs if needed.
