Since June 1st, when the online application process was opened, approximately 27 applications have been submitted for use of open-air spaces for seating. Friday's announcement marked the first three restaurants that have received their approvals, and over a dozen more applications are currently being reviewed.
This past week, the Buffalo Common Council passed the required legislation that allows the city to grant these approvals. The legislation was sponsored by Councilmember Joel Feroleto.
"This legislation will help small businesses and their employees in the City of Buffalo," said Feroleto. "The food service industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and we want to help as they reopen.”
Brendan Mehaffy, executive director of the city’s Office of Strategic Planning, hopes the announcement will simply be the beginning of small businesses and restaurants getting back on their feet.
“Today’s approvals will hopefully be the first of many as the city continues to work with the small business community to mitigate the negative economic fallout we will experience as a result of the public health measures we took to protect our communities and help prevent an even greater negative economic impact which would have resulted without those steps," said Mehaffy.