City Expanding Restaurant Space For Outdoor Dining In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — On Saturday, the Stamford Downtown Special Services Dsirtict will work with the city to welcome visitors back to the neighborhood to dine at shop at local restaurants and stores through a program called Streateries in Stamford Downtown.

According to an announcement, the program will provide expanded space for residents to walk, sit and dine while maintaining social distancing and adhering to state and local public health protocols. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

According to David Kooris, president of the DSSD, Streateries in Stamford Downtown will provide "an unparalleled opportunity" for safe outdoor dining in the region.

"As we've worked to find ways to invite people back downtown while adhering to the public health guidance we're receiving from the city and the state, there's been consistent interest in street closures," Kooris said in a statement emailed to Patch. "The city of Stamford has been a great partner in this effort, and we want to ensure everyone that they'll find a safe and rewarding experience."

Beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Main Street (from Washington Boulevard to Clark Street), Lower Summer Street (from the Courtyard by Marriott to the Majestic Theatre), Bedford Street (from Broad Street to Spring Street) and and West Park Place will close until 11 p.m.

The organization refers to Saturday as "phase one," which will act as "a pilot that may be replicated other times throughout the summer."

"Phase two" will consist of extending sidewalk areas into some on-street parking spaces and travel lanes to allow for expanded outdoor dining while maintaining ADA walkways. The organization anticipates these closures to be implemented along Main Street, Summer Street and Bedford Street in early June and to be in place through September.

The third phase will be the creation of the Bedford Piazza, transforming a portion of the parking area between Bedford Street and the Bedford Garage into "a massive outdoor dining patio, unparalleled in the region."

The DSSD asks that residents enjoying the downtown area respect posted guidelines, observe social distancing and wear a mask at all times when not seated and eating.