Council reduces fees for street patios

One of the last changes to City Council’s budget session Tuesday came at the behest of Council Member Chris Riley. That change will reduce the fee for businesses to install “street patios,” which is a new category for the city that allows downtown businesses to use their street parking as outdoor patio space. After the approval, participation in the program will cost $2,400 per space per year, instead of the proposed $4,000. Though the $4,000 fee was based on the revenue that would be lost from the absence of a space, Riley argued that there was a public benefit that should be taken into account, as is done with valet spaces. The concept was tested as part of a pilot program at the Congress Avenue location of Royal Blue Grocery. The rate change passed unanimously.