HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2023-02-28 Extended Sidewalk Dining Program to Return
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2023
Media Contact:
Leah Kosin, Assistant Public Information Officer
pio@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2781
Extended Sidewalk Dining Program to Return
The program will take place on Friday beginning in May.
Leesburg, VA (February 28, 2023) – The extended sidewalk
dining program will return this spring following Monday
night’s Town Council work session.
First launched in July 2020, the goal of the program was to
expand restaurant capacity when indoor dining was restricted
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, the program has continued to take place every
Friday and Saturday through the end of fall.
Parks & Recreation Deputy Director Kate Trask said downtown participation fluctuates based on
a number of factors. Friday nights have the highest attendance, she said, specifically during
Leesburg First Friday.
Council was presented three options when deciding the programs future – to hold the program
on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, to hold it every Friday, or stick to the most recent
schedule of Friday and Saturday evenings.
Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg suggested holding the program every Friday in order to offer
consistency for those visiting the downtown. He said it would also allow another season to
analyze the effectiveness of the program without an extraordinary expenditure of funding.
According to the staff presentation, the proposed cost of holding the event on Friday only
would be $31,291. This would create a savings of ???
Councilman Zach Cummings said when the streets are closed it’s a much more vibrant scene.
Continuing the program creates a “much friendlier environment” in the downtown while
complimenting the Main Street Program.
Department of Economic Development Director Russell Seymour confirmed the business
community has benefited from the street closure including those outside of the restaurant
business.
Final Council direction was to pursue holding the program on Friday evenings beginning May 5
and ending October 6, 2023.
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