This summer, The City of Frederick approved temporary outdoor dining-related ordinances to support the local economy and accommodate new public health & safety measures. These ordinances were originally scheduled until October 31, 2020. However, as health & economic concerns persist, updates have been made extending these opportunities into next year.
On October 15th, the Board approved three ordinances to update these temporary provisions:
1. Concerning outdoor dining on public property:
An extension of pop-up outdoor dining in parklets & parkland through October 31, 2021, or 30 days after the end of the Governor’s state of emergency. The weekend Market Street Closures will be suspended starting on November 1, 2020; however, the City will construct additional parklets to serve the downtown restaurants previously operating in the street closure areas.
2. Concerning outdoor dining on private property:
An extension of the authorization to serve food on new private property areas (such as patios or parking lots) through October 31, 2021, or 30 days after the end of the Governor’s state of emergency.
3. Concerning mobile food units:
An extension of the authorization to operate in non-residential areas through October 31, 2021, or 30 days after the end of the Governor’s state of emergency.
Full details can be found here.
Recognizing that the food industry has been hit particularly hard by current public restrictions, we point to several additional local initiatives for restaurants (and patrons) to take advantage of below.
Additional Opportunities for Local Restaurants:
Parkside Pick Up
HOW IT WORKS:
The newly launched “Parkside Pick-Up” program connects Frederick County park-goers with restaurants interested in offering outside delivery. At designated parks around the county, QR codes feature lists of local restaurants that will deliver to each respective park. To help reduce confusion in the delivery logistics, each of these parks also now have designated drop-off areas indicated by large flags.
If you are interested in having your restaurant listed at City or County parks for delivery services, please complete the application below. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ParksidePickup
A map of designated Parkside Pick-Up parks; as well as lists of participating restaurants can be found here.
OUTDOOR Heaters
To support outdoor dining initiatives as the weather cools, Frederick County recently distributed 57 grant awards (up to $5400 each) to local restaurants to assist in the purchase of new heaters. Expect to see these in use around the Frederick soon — helping restaurants leverage more table space and patrons dine more comfortably.
State Relief for Restaurants
In addition to new funding to businesses of all industries, the governor’s latest initiative announced direct grant relief to qualifying restaurants across the state. Eligible uses of funds include:
Working capital, such as rent and purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining through physical improvements including tents, heaters, warmers, and carts
Sanitization services
Purchase of PPE
Technology to support carryout and delivery
Infrastructure improvements, including HVAC system upgrades
The funding will be allocated through local jurisdictions to be distributed no later than December 31, 2020. More information will be available soon for local restaurants to take advantage of this opportunity through Frederick County’s government.
