Outdoor dining, retail proposal approved by Pittsburgh City Council

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that will allow restaurants and retailers to continue using sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining and retail, something that became popular during the covid-19 pandemic.

The legislation, introduced by Councilman Bobby Wilson earlier this month, allows businesses to apply for permits to use sidewalks and streets for dining and shopping, with some restrictions.

The measure has earned strong support from community organizations who have said the added outdoor dining and retail space has helped small businesses survive the pandemic and revitalized neighborhood business corridors.

“They’re really a vital source of income for these businesses and they have done a lot to increase the vibrancy of our neighborhood,” said Christina Howell, executive director of the Bloomfield Development Corp.

City Council amended the legislation before approving it Tuesday to ensure the businesses using streets and sidewalks did so in a way that is accessible to people with physical disabilities.

The legislation was unanimously approved.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority is poised to offer $1 million in grant funding to help participating businesses buy better furniture or barriers to use on streets and sidewalks, Wilson said. The URA board will likely vote in March to offer the grant funding.