photo by: Rochelle Valverde

The "parklet" patio of Papa Keno's Pizzeria, 837 Massachusetts St., is pictured on Sept. 18, 2021.

After a majority of those who responded to a city survey supported the idea, city leaders will consider developing a long-term version of a temporary program that has allowed downtown businesses to construct patios and outdoor dining areas in parking stalls.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive the survey results and consider authorizing the development of a long-term “parklet” program. As part of that process, the commission will also consider adopting a resolution to extend the temporary format of the program another five months, through March 31, 2022.

The City of Lawrence created the temporary program toward the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as a way to allow businesses to operate safely under community health orders. The program has allowed downtown businesses to repurpose sidewalks and parking stalls directly in front of or alongside their storefronts for outdoor dining or other uses. About 20 restaurants or bars have a permit to repurpose the space, and many have built wooden or brick patios to provide a space for their customers to be served outdoors.

The city conducted an online survey and hosted public meetings this fall to collect feedback from downtown visitors and business owners about the potential for a long-term program. About 2,000 people responded to the survey, which represents a record for the city, according to a city staff memo. The survey does not represent a statistical sample.

Of the 2,000 respondents, about 1,750 responded to a question asking about the benefits of a long-term version of the program, with a majority of those respondents expressing support for the idea, according to the memo. In addition, about 68% of overall respondents said they would be much more likely to use businesses that have parklets, and about 18% said they would be somewhat more likely.

Respondents enumerated various benefits of a long-term program, including safety for restaurant goers amid the pandemic; increasing the liveliness, vibrancy and ambiance of downtown; and being essential for the economic viability and recovery from the pandemic, among others.

The survey also asked respondents about their concerns about a long-term program. Concerns included the intermittent use of the parklets due to weather and business hours; loss of parking downtown; and the aesthetics and design standards of the patio structures and parking barricades, among others.

The commission also received two letters from downtown retailers voicing concern about a permanent program. Ken Campbell, of Winfield House Home Furnishings, 647 Massachusetts St., states in part that he supported the program when health orders limited business operations, but now thinks the parking spots on and near Massachusetts Street should return to benefiting all the nearby businesses, not just one.

Jennifer McKnight, of Arizona Trading Co., 736 Massachusetts St., said in part that having street parking close to shops is a big attraction for daytime shoppers, and that some parklets are sitting empty at that time because they are not used until dinner hours. She also said parklets overall are not used when it’s raining, snowing or too hot or cold, which are times when people especially value having parking nearby.

Others spoke in favor of the parklets, saying they add to the downtown environment and continue to be necessary amid the pandemic. Lawrence resident Chris Tilden wrote to the commission to say that residents and businesses have benefited from the program, and he thought a permanent program could find solutions to address issues such as accessibility, aesthetics and parking.

City staff is recommending that the commission develop a long-term program based on the responses received. To allow time to develop the program, staff is recommending the temporary extension of the program through the end of March. The temporary program is otherwise set to expire at the end of the year.

The Lawrence City Commission will meet virtually at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, and some staff will be in place at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. The public may attend the meeting in person at City Hall or participate virtually by following directions included in the commission’s meeting agenda, which is available on the city’s website, lawrenceks.org.