BY JIMMY LAWTON North Country This Week OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg voted to allow consumption of alcoholic beverages in outside dining areas on city property in front of city restaurants until Sept. …
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BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg voted to allow consumption of alcoholic beverages in outside dining areas on city property in front of city restaurants until Sept. 30.
The idea was proposed by Deputy Mayor John Rishe, who said it could help business owners stay profitable with the restrictions currently imposed by the state due to the coronavirus.
“This city council wishes to support local restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging more sales by permitting the consumption of alcoholic beverages at such dining areas,” the resolution says.
The resolution points out that other communities have recently allowed for open containers in order to assist local restaurants.
“The city council wishes to allow for the consumption of alcohol in outdoor dining areas on public property,” the resolution says.
The city signaled that the change could be permanent.
Council approved two public hearings related to the premise.
The first is regarding a change to the municipal code that would exempt public areas restaurants from the open container law.
The second would ease restrictions related to city owned property in front of restaurants to allow outdoor dining tables as long as they don’t restrict pedestrian traffic.
Rishe said he’d like to see restaurants keep more outdoor dining, which he says is common in many communities. He said it allows people to see something going on in the city and improves the atmosphere.
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