Business & Tech
Fredericksburg Expands Sidewalk Seating For Downtown Restaurants
Fredericksburg has closed on-street parking spaces in front of five downtown restaurants to allow expanded sidewalk seating areas.
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The city of Fredericksburg has closed on-street parking spaces in front of five downtown restaurants to allow expanded sidewalk seating areas as Virginia gradually reopens from the coronavirus crisis. Restaurants are a critical part of the city’s tax base.
The closed parking spaces have become the pedestrian walkways for those areas on Caroline and William streets, while the sidewalk has been used entirely for outdoor seating in front of the restaurants.
Restaurants have not been allowed to open the inside of their businesses for dine-in customers under Virginia’s phase one plan. Restaurants are allowed to serve customers outside at 50 percent of capacity. And many are also offering takeout and delivery.
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The closed on-street parking is part of a pilot program that includes expanded sidewalk seating areas at Vivify, Fahrenheit 132, Castiglia’s, La Petite Auberge and Capital Ale House. Each of the restaurants contacted the city to request the expanded seating. City staff met with the business’ neighbors before putting in the temporary parking closures.
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The city said it will monitor the success of the pilot program, which is expected to be short-term until restaurants are given more flexibility to allow diners indoors. Free off-street parking also is available throughout the downtown area.
As of Thursday, there have been 135 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Fredericksburg, 16 hospitalizations and no deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Phase one of Virginia's reopening is expected to start in Northern Virginia and Accomack County on Friday. Fredericksburg and the rest of the state, except for the city of Richmond, have been in phase one for almost two weeks.
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