Downtown reconfigures streets to expand outdoor dining areas
Many people who own and work in Downtown restaurants are optimistic about being able to expand outdoor seating into public streets — not because it sounds fun, but because it might keep them from going out of business.
“We’ll take all the help we can get,” says Dennis Scott, co-owner of Wiener World on Smithfield Street. It’s always been a takeout place, but sales have been long suffering as many workers and visitors still haven’t returned to Downtown due to COVID-19. “At current levels,” he says, “this is not sustainable.”
The landmark eatery looks to gain several outdoor tables under a plan made public Monday by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which will plop tables and chairs in the middle of adjacent Strawberry Way between Smithfield and Grant streets.
The group plans to close to vehicle traffic or otherwise modify several stretches of roadway and allow restaurantgoers to eat and drink there. Even restaurants with indoor seating are limited to 50% occupancy in this green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide reopening plan and could use more space. And even with other precautions restaurants are taking, many customers still feel safer sitting outside.
Mr. Scott says he’s “cautiously optimistic” the outdoor seating will help bring more customers, not just to his place but also to neighboring establishments such as Villa Reale Pizzeria and The Commoner. Parts of Strawberry Way have been closed before, for street art and dining, which was not only fun but also safer for pedestrians, Mr. Scott believes. “I think more of Downtown should be like that anyhow.”
The PDP is giving it a shot. After working with business and property owners, residents and public agencies on the plan, it two weeks ago used plastic barriers to carve out room for tables in
one lane on the block of Sixth Street across from Heinz Hall, which is not planning to open any time soon. During this test run, sister restaurants Butcher and the Rye and Tako have started out using the extra space for tables for takeout customers. Other establishments are ready to provide table service.
“Each restaurant has its own business to manage,” says Chris Watts, the PDP’s vice president for mobility, who is helping to implement the plan. It’s happening in partnership with the mayor’s office, the city Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, Pittsburgh Public Safety, Traffic Planning and Design, Port Authority and Parking Authority and the Michael Baker engineering firm.
The actual street configurations are being funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and PNC Bank and will cost “upwards of a couple of hundred thousand dollars,” Mr. Watts said.
In some areas the PDP will provide tables, such as Market Square, which also will be closed to vehicles (except in emergencies and for deliveries).
Lanes of Sixth Street between Penn and Liberty avenues have been shifted and shrunken to make room for seating along the western curb. Between Penn and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Sixth Street will be one way outbound with the other lane used for outdoor seating and a bike lane.
Penn Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets will have one travel lane.
“I think it’s a great idea,” says Scott Shaffer, owner of Bourbon & Bridges, which is ready to add nine tables to that stretch of Penn and provide service to them as soon as the go-ahead comes from the PDP. He says that will get his place back to his normal number of seats. “We’re excited about the opportunity and the potential,” he said. “It will allow us to serve more guests in a safe capacity.” He thinks the changes could make for an “almost European, festival atmosphere” that people will enjoy.
While he says his place (celebrating its first anniversary Thursday) has been very busy, that’s not the case at others such as Redbeard’s on Sixth, which is trying to get by with a dozen tables inside and just two outside. “We’re just trying to survive right now,” says owner Len Semplice.
His original Redbeard’s on Mount Washington has been benefiting from recent weekend closures of that part of Shiloh Street to make room for outdoor seats, he said, so he knows it can work. “The only difference is there’s no one Downtown.”
The PDP’s Mr. Watts says by studying traffic, transit and parking, the group knows commuter numbers are still about 20% of normal Downtown. The group is hoping to have these spaces ready as more people come back.
The outdoor spaces are expected to be fully activated by early July and remain open until mid- to late October, and other streets could be modified, too. And the PDP will work with other restaurants, Mr. Watts says. Live music and art could be added, as well. “We’re going to monitor safety first.”
Also this week, in another move to support businesses, the PDP is relaunching its Gift Card Give Back program, which gives card buyers and businesses a 25% bonus.
At stake is more than just vibrancy, and Mr. Watts is happy many are working together to meet challenges. “Everyone cares about the future of Downtown and the small businesses Downtown.”