Tampa will allow restaurants to create parklets, expand into parking lots

In an effort to support local businesses reopen responsibly amid COVID-19, the City of Tampa is launching Phase 3 of the Lift Up Local program. It’s phase 3 plan will help restaurants cater to more guests while adhering to social distancing recommendations. The featured image highlights Phase 1, when certain streets in Tampa were closed off to traffic to help restaurants expand while their indoor dining was shut down.

Starting August 20, the City of Tampa’s Lift Up Local program is moving into Phase 3. The program is re-expanding the use of public and private sidewalks during the extended limited capacity orders to give restaurants and retail establishments a greater ability to use outdoor spaces for regular operations. 

Under Phase 3 of Lift Up Local, restaurant and retail establishments can expand their outdoor capacity into parking lots again (with property management approval), parklets will be allowed again as well, with permission from the Mobility Department, and tents will be allowed up to 600 SF by obtaining a Fast Pass Permit at no charge.

Do you feel safe going out to eat right now? Have you gone out to any restaurants in Tampa recently? Let us know your experience in the comments.

For more information, including the full guidebook and resources for business owners, visit tampagov.net/LiftUpLocal and the Lift Up Local toolkit at tampagov.net/MediaToolkit > COVID-19.