Cafe tables for Aviles Street

Monday night, Historic City News will be watching as St. Augustine city commissioners consider an ordinance to lift the ban on outdoor dining for an area in the first block of Aviles Street.

The ordinance is required in order to advance a portion of a public and privately funded plan to make Aviles Street more inviting.

On July 24, 2009, Historic City News published the article “Improving the viability of Aviles Street” outlining the framework of the complete Aviles Street plan which addresses identifying Aviles Street as a destination by creating an inviting entrance, encouraging pedestrian traffic across King Street, creating opportunities for “cafe’ seating” and other on-street activities, devising a plan for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, providing customer parking and improving nighttime visibility.

The proposed ordinance identifies an existing need for outdoor eating establishments (Cafes) on Aviles Street to provide a unique environment for relaxation and food consumption.

Although outdoor dining is currently banned citywide to avoid blocking pedestrian traffic, if approved, the sidewalk in the selected area of Aviles Street would be extended over an existing parking lane to create a sufficient area for both dining and pedestrians.

Photo credit: © 2009 Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire