The sidewalk cafes of downtown Windsor are returning.
Following the elevation of the city of Windsor to Stage Two of Ontario's reopening plan for the economy, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) announced plans to extend patios and offer sidewalk sales on the core's streets.
The announcement came after Windsor City Council voted during a special session Thursday night on a streamlined process for restaurants and bars to extend patios. These included waiving railing requirements and fees.
Brian Yeomans, chairman of the DWBIA, said the move is key to bringing business back downtown after a spring of pandemic-fueled closures and restrictions.
"We are thrilled to have the city’s support behind small businesses in downtown Windsor,” said Yeomans. "These expedited processes will allow our restaurant and cafe owners to begin their economic recovery from three months of essential shutdown."
The city has also allowed businesses to use the sidewalk in front of their establishments for cafe-style seating or sidewalk sale-type tables. Street closures allowing for additional seating have also been promised by the city.
The DWBIA said in a media release that four proposals for new patio construction are before the city's administration, on Pitt Street East, Pelissier Street at University Avenue West, Chatham Street East at Ouellette Avenue, and Ouellette Avenue and Wyandotte Street.
All downtown establishments are expected to follow safety guidelines pertaining to social distancing and mask use.
Information on the DWBIA's plans for rebooting downtown businesses is available on its official Facebook page.