Tampa to continue street closures to help restaurants

TAMPA — Mayor Jane Castor’s plan to close some streets to allow restaurants and retailers to expand their outdoor footprint has been extended through May 26.

The program allows restaurants and retailers to use adjacent sidewalks and public right-of-way to seat more people and allow for appropriate social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The program began May 5 when restaurants and retailers were only allowed to accommodate 25 percent of indoor capacity. The popularity of the two-week pilot prompted city officials to extend it, according to a news release.

Restaurants and retailers now can accommodate 50 percent of indoor capacity under the recent loosening of state restrictions.

The city has closed streets in three areas with a concentration of eateries to allow for more diners. Here are the locations:

• Downtown: E Twiggs St. from N Tampa St. to N Franklin St.
• Hyde Park: W Snow Ave. from S Dakota Ave. to S Rome Ave.
• Ybor City closure: E 7th Ave. from 16th - 18th Streets and 19th - 21st Streets

For more information, call the recovery hotline at 833-TPA-INFO.

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