SIDEWALK CAFE FEES COULD GET WAIVED
City considering measure to help restaurants hurt by COVID-19
Downtown restaurants with sidewalk cafes in Royal Oak may get a break whenever they are allowed to reopen.
City commissioners will decide Monday whether to waive sidewalk café renewal fees for up to 33 bars and eateries this year.
The suggestion comes from the city’s Downtown Development Authority, which is trying to aid businesses forced to close because of COVID-19.
Businesses through the end of this week are also applying for a total of $1.3 million in
DDA grants if they plan to reopen when the state eases lockdown rules.
Sean Kammer, DDA manager, in a memo to city officials said foregoing fees is one more thing that can be done to support businesses.
The bar and restaurant owners need help to recover from a devastating economic losses they face, he said.
Patio season started April 15, but owners and would-be customers have yet to enjoy the annual downtown spring rite of dining al fresco.
“Businesses that plan on having patios have already missed out on several
weeks of the season,” Kammer said. “Waiving patio fees will help reduce the numerous costs that many downtown businesses are facing in light of an economic disaster.
“For many downtown businesses, many of these costs include reopening, recovering from sales losses, payment of back rent, and inventory expenditures, which are all combined with the prospects of the continuation of a shaken market.”
Annual renewal fees for the outdoor cafes spaces range from $300 to $600, said Timothy
Thwing, executive director of the DDA.
The amount of the fees depends on the size of the café and whether the business serves alcohol.
The DDA is further asking city commissioners to direct city staff to update the sidewalk café ordinance to reflect state social distancing guidelines.