[Ed note: This article was updated on March 12 to reflect the fact that the starting date has now moved up.]
It looks like expanded outdoor dining areas will soon be returning to Boston.
According to an article from Universal Hub, the Mayor's office gave the green light today for restaurants to set up temporary outdoor dining areas on public sidewalks and in parking lanes by April 1, with the starting date being a bit earlier depending on weather conditions. The program had ended on December 1 after being in place for a number of months, though there had been rumblings that it might return in the spring in order to continue to help dining spots get through the pandemic.
The post states that restaurants will need to re-apply for temporary outdoor permits for the 2021 season, while dining spots that did not take part in the program last year will also be allowed to apply.
[March 12 update: Universal Hub reports that the starting date for temporary outdoor dining areas in Boston has been moved up to March 22, based on a relatively placid long-term weather forecast for the region.]
[March 13 update: A Twitter post from the city's licensing board mentions that North End restaurants will need to wait a little longer to commence with temporary outdoor dining, saying that "Due to the high density, North End restaurants will begin on April 1st. Set up may begin March 29th."]
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
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