Staff photo
City officials, along with Experience Fayetteville and some bar owners along Block Avenue, will experiment with a pilot program to use a portion of the parking spaces on the street for temporary outdoor seating beginning Thursday, Aug. 27.
The program, facilitated by city planner Mary McGetrick, will close some of parking spaces in front of Little Bread Company to make room for customers to sit outside when visiting bars like Maxine’s, Big Box, Vault, and Pinpoint – all of which are limited in capacity due to state guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If all goes well, McGetrick said, the program could expand for an extended period, or to different areas of town. For now, this is just a one-time, one-day event.
The city will provide barriers to create the space, while Experience Fayetteville will provide tents and seating, and local store Center Street Mercantile will sponsor some live music by local artist Will Brand in front of the store.
Block Avenue patrons can pick up a drink through the new Outdoor Refreshment Area ordinance, and take advantage of the seating area.
The closure will be in effect from 5-10 p.m. Thursday.
