Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets
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>>Find the latest information about City of Bellingham streateries at cob.org/outdoor-dining-structures-streateries-and-parklets
Streatery Assessment and Report Released (July 2023)
The Planning and Community Development Department has completed an assessment of the City’s streatery program, which allows restaurants to use the right-of-way for outdoor dining. The program was established before the COVID-19 pandemic to promote vibrant street life, prioritize pedestrian use, and support local businesses. Due to pandemic-related restaurant closures, more streateries were allowed to be constructed, and additional measures like overhead coverings and heating elements were permitted to support outdoor dining during winter. Between March 2020 and December 2022, around 30 streateries were permitted, mostly in the downtown district.
Before constructing a streatery, businesses must obtain a permit from the Public Works Department. The permitting process involves assessing traffic impacts, accessibility, and safety. Streateries with overhead coverings require additional building permits. The initial permit fee ranges from $150 to $350, with an annual renewal fee of $50.
In the fall of 2022, City staff collaborated with students from WWU's College of the Environment to assess the streatery program, considering existing conditions, public opinion, design, fees, and safety. The assessment included a visual survey of streateries, an online public opinion survey, and interviews with business owners. These findings were reviewed by City staff and committees of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.
Based on the assessment, the report provides recommendations in various areas:
1. Design: Establish design guidelines, including ADA accessibility standards, open structure requirements, landscaping, and material recommendations.
2. Fees: Maintain current application fees but adopt an annual renewal fee based on 8% of square footage times average appraised land value plus Leasehold Excise Tax (~ $1,680/year per streatery, depending on size).
3. Safety: Implement safety measures such as proper spacing, accessibility, fire safety, visibility, and maintenance requirements.
The recommendations aim to improve the program's fairness and functionality while continuing to support active street uses.
The next steps involve seeking public input on the recommendations and providing an update to City Council. Once the new guidelines are adopted, existing permit holders will be notified and will have a year before the next annual renewal period to either bring their structure into compliance or determine that the structure should be removed.
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Covid is over. Restaurants gained space with these “temporary” structures. Time for them to go.
Gentlemen: Isn't the Covid panic over? I don't see diners in these shanties wearing masks. I find it difficult that anyone in city planning would set up a situation where West Holly between Commercial and Bay Streets is reduced to only one lane. I avoid the area. R.W. Lowery
I think it makes sense to continue to have the streateries accessible to the restaurants that have them and like visiting them myself. The report recommendations for design and safety should do a lot to help the issues I've found as a pedestrian passing these structures, since I've seen some difficulties in walking traffic past those on Railroad Ave in particular. It would be nice to see the city continue to invest more in the pedestrian paths and availability/accessibility of public transit around them, if these streateries are intended to make downtown more appealing to spend time in.
I think it makes sense to continue to have the streateries accessible to the restaurants that have them and like visiting them myself. The report recommendations for design and safety should do a lot to help the issues I've found as a pedestrian passing these structures, since I've seen some difficulties in walking traffic past those on Railroad Ave in particular. It would be nice to see the city continue to invest more in the pedestrian paths and availability/accessibility of public transit around them, if these streateries are intended to make downtown more appealing to spend time in.
I think it makes sense to continue to have the streateries accessible to the restaurants that have them and like visiting them myself. The report recommendations for design and safety should do a lot to help the issues I've found as a pedestrian passing these structures, since I've seen some difficulties in walking traffic past those on Railroad Ave in particular. It would be nice to see the city continue to invest more in the pedestrian paths and availability/accessibility of public transit around them, if these streateries are intended to make downtown more appealing to spend time in.
I think it makes sense to continue to have the streateries accessible to the restaurants that have them and like visiting them myself. The report recommendations for design and safety should do a lot to help the issues I've found as a pedestrian passing these structures, since I've seen some difficulties in walking traffic past those on Railroad Ave in particular. It would be nice to see the city continue to invest more in the pedestrian paths and availability/accessibility of public transit around them, if these streateries are intended to make downtown more appealing to spend time in.
I think it makes sense to continue to have the streateries accessible to the restaurants that have them and like visiting them myself. The report recommendations for design and safety should do a lot to help the issues I've found as a pedestrian passing these structures, since I've seen some difficulties in walking traffic past those on Railroad Ave in particular. It would be nice to see the city continue to invest more in the pedestrian paths and availability/accessibility of public transit around them, if these streateries are intended to make downtown more appealing to spend time in.
I love having the street eateries available. It increases available seating, which increases local revenue and employment opportunities...a spot that one person could park, could provide seating for 15 people to eat...and I'd imagine significantly more revenue to the area than the cost of parking brings in.
We also have a city that is pretty easy to get around via public transportation, foot, or bike...initiatives that encourage people to drive less I think have a positive impact.
I work in a business downtown, and while parking is tight and I know folks get frustrated with the traffic, I think having these outdoor dining spaces, and increased seating available at restaurants, is a far better service to the greater good than catering to vehicle needs.
I love having the street eateries available. It increases available seating, which increases local revenue and employment opportunities...a spot that one person could park, could provide seating for 15 people to eat...and I'd imagine significantly more revenue to the area than the cost of parking brings in.
We also have a city that is pretty easy to get around via public transportation, foot, or bike...initiatives that encourage people to drive less I think have a positive impact.
I work in a business downtown, and while parking is tight and I know folks get frustrated with the traffic, I think having these outdoor dining spaces, and increased seating available at restaurants, is a far better service to the greater good than catering to vehicle needs.
I think they take up valuable parking, benefit a few businesses while using a public space. As a tax payer, I’m not in favor of it.
Can you please remove the eateries on Holly Street and Place a Traditional light vs just a blinking red light.
Can you please remove the eateries on Holly Street and Place a Traditional light vs just a blinking red light.
It is time to get rid og the streateries!! They look atrocious and we need the parking along Railroad and Holly streets.
Several of these structures are located and designed in a way that creates danger for pedestrians and drivers downtown - making it harder for people to see cars coming and vice versa. It is time to remove the streateries and put back badly-needed parking spaces, the way it used to be.
Please remove these - COVID made them okay but now they are a nusiance, unsanitary, and take up valuable parking.
With the bike lanes being put on Holly and still having an entire block being outside seating for restaurants it just seems like a hazard. Its unfriendly for people with disabilites to get downtown parking as well. Feel the exact same way about Fairhaven. Limitied parking anyways and so much being taken up by outdoor seating.
They look like trash. Make downtown even less convenient to visit. Covid over there is no reason to have them anymore. You all sure seem hellbent on making sure I never step foot downtown again.
I do not understand how the continued use of streets for Not Cars is a public good. At present, the users get to use the space for almost nothing, and the present plan is to charge them pretty much next to nothing. The funds collected provide almost nothing after administration costs to the city coffers, they use up parking spaces, and, more importantly, on streets like Holly, they impede traffic. On less trafficked streets, it may not be as much of an issue, but they are taking up scarce parking in places like Fairhaven. Further, it doesn't appear that businesses downtown need a place to expand by the number of vacant commercial spots. I would have a completely different opinion about this if Bellingham and Fairhaven downtown went completely car free, but also provided free buses or trolleys. Seems like this is just a weird, and expensive halfway measure.
It's garbage. It looks cheap, it takes away what drivers have paid for - a road. My taxes already subsidize far too much and they have raised our taxable value to double what I paid for it in just 7 years. Bellingham is a joke and these people who obviously live downtown and eat out a lot seem to think it's the bees knees.
I am a very strong supporter of the streatery program. They really add to the downtown ambience, making it a more lively and interesting place to be. They also discourage the amount of cars and as it says in the report, the "streatery program is in line with the City’s adopted sustainability and livability goal". I really hope a solution can be found where businesses and the city are happy with the fee structure and building requirements without the city subsidizing the program. Though, to be honest, even if the city subsidized it slightly, I'd be in support of that because of the great advantages to livability.