City to designate new “Business Recovery Zones”

Beginning Monday May 4th, Mayor Jane Castor has announced that restaurants and retailers throughout Tampa will be permitted to reopen their doors at 25% customer capacity, with restaurants spacing dining tables 6 feet apart.

Despite some concerns among residents, this move is intended to stimulate local businesses and keep our economy moving. In another effort to bolster these businesses, the City of Tampa has proposed closing several major streets throughout the city to vehicle traffic entirely.

The city will demo this program for 14 days beginning on the 4th of May when businesses reopen. The purpose behind the program is to allow restaurants to implement extended outdoor seating, with some restaurants choosing to place tables and seating in the roads to adhere to social distancing guidelines. One stipulation of this extended seating is that customers must make reservations to take advantage of them.

Here are the proposed street closures:

City Officials have also temporarily waived the requirement for a permit for sidewalk use. Once again, these businesses must adhere to CDC guidelines, keep 6 feet of space between tables, and the use remains subject to landlord approval.

For more information, view the entire Economic Development Plan here.