Support local businesses and enjoy outdoor dining and retail.
Salem, Ore. –Beginning Jun. 20, 2020, the City of Salem is launching a pilot program to expand outdoor dining and retail options for downtown businesses. We’re opening Salem’s streets to more restaurant seating and retail. Like many cities across the nation, Salem is working to create adaptive solutions to assist local businesses as they re-open and work with restrictions imposed due to the virus.
The pilot program was initiated by Salem’s City Council to assist businesses as they reopen with pandemic restrictions. “I’m proud of the partnership and work that’s been done quickly over the last couple of weeks in helping our restaurants and retail businesses downtown weather this pandemic,” said City Councilor Cara Kaser.
The pilot program kicks off this weekend on Sat., Jun. 20 – 21, 2020. State Street will be open to restaurant seating between Commercial Street and Liberty Street. The south side of the street will be closed to vehicle traffic and parking for one week (and may be extended through September to accommodate the new program). Vehicle traffic and parking spaces will be open on the north side of State Street to allow alley and emergency vehicle access, and for traffic safety. Parkades throughout downtown are also open for convenient and free parking.
Beginning Sat., Jun. 27, sections of Court Street will also be closed to allow for additional dining options so our local retail and restaurants can offer more customers a safe place to dine and shop.
The City will continue to explore including additional downtown for expanded retail and outdoor seating July through September.
For more information on the expanded retail and outdoor seating pilot program for Summer 2020, please refer to the City website.
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