Downtown News

City Council Approves DECI Request for First Fridays

Posted August 1st, 2011

 

  

On Tuesday, the Eau Claire City Council approved a resolution that will allow downtown businesses to move merchandise onto the sidewalks during First Fridays.  DECI's Salina Heller explained to the Council that the request pertained to the first Fridays of the next three months and those would be August 5, September 2, and October 7.  She told them many downtown businesses already participate in First Fridays with special sales, promotions, and other events, during extended hours.  She said to further encourage downtown revitalization, and social and economic activity, businesses would like to use the sidewalk space in front of their buildings and move merchandise outside.

 

 

The Council approved the request with this information and these guidelines that were laid out:

 

Definition of Location 

"Downtown" shall mean the qualifying properties lying within the area bounded on the north by Cameron Street and William Street as extended to the Chippewa River, on the east by Dewey Street, on the south by Lake Street, and on the west by Fifth Avenue/Fulton Street/Whipple Street. The permitted area includes sidewalk located on both sides of a described boundary street.

"Water Street" shall mean the qualifying properties lying within the area bounded on the north by Chippewa Street, on the east by Second Avenue, on the south by the Chippewa River, and on the west by Ninth Avenue.

"Grand Avenue" shall include properties bounded from the Chippewa River to Second Avenue.

 

Regulations for Businesses

Any retail business would use a limited part of the public sidewalk which immediately adjoins the premises of such retail business for the display and sale of its merchandise. No merchandise will be located in the street or parking areas.

 

The display and sale of merchandise won't be permitted in any portion of the public sidewalk where normal pedestrian traffic flow is obstructed. A minimum clearance of five feet would be maintained on the public sidewalk at all times. For purpose of a minimum clear path, parking meters, traffic signs, trees and similar obstacles shall be considered obstructions.

 

The merchandise and display racks, tables and other related fixtures of any kind:

a. Will not be placed within ten feet of bus stops, taxi stands, fire hydrants, alleys, bike racks. Will not be placed within five feet of a pedestrian crosswalk or corner curb cut.

b. Will not block designated ingress, egress, or fire exits from or to the business or any other structures.

c. Will be readily removable and not attached to any structures

d. Will not be placed, or permitted to remain, on the public sidewalk during any period when merchandise is not displayed and available for purchase within the adjoining retail business.

e. Will be maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe manner. All businesses will be responsible for their own clean-up.

f. There will be no selling of food, with the exception of those businesses that have a current sidewalk café permit.

 

No alcoholic beverages for display or sale will be permitted on the public sidewalk at any time.