(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Expanded outdoor dining on Clark Street has been given the green light. After it was previously announced that it would not return, the popular River North outdoor dining will return in a slightly different format.
The City of Chicago announced on Wednesday that the Chicago Department of Transportation issued a permit to allow the closing of the curb lanes between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street.
This will allow for restaurants, taverns and breweries to expand their outdoor dining into the sidewalk and parking lane without closing Clark Street to vehicle traffic.
Previously, groups and unions like River North Residents Association and the Chicago Federation of Labor lobbied against the program, citing concerns of traffic congestion and public safety, according to Block Club Chicago. Concerns had been raised about fully closing Clark Street for months at a time.
“The format will give participating restaurants extra capacity and create an inviting outdoor space for dining, while taking into account the need for accessibility and traffic flow in the River North community,” the city said in a released statement.
The permit went into effect immediately and will remain valid through the end of October.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok