"As we continue to deal with COVID-19, this is a great solution to help our businesses," City Council Member Abbie Kamin said following the vote. "It's a great example of creativity and something the community has been asking for."
The city’s More Spaces Program has been touted as a way to limit the spread of the coronavirus and was modeled after similar programs in Austin and Atlanta.
Restaurant owners do not need to apply for the authority to do so; instead, they file a notification with the city so that the planning department can track compliance with the new protocols.
The program prohibits music in the adapted outdoor dining areas and limits closing hours to no later than midnight. Participating restaurants must also ensure that Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking spaces remain available.
If well-received, the program may extend beyond the pandemic as well, Chief Transportation Officer David Fields told council members.
"I think we could learn a lot from this pilot in the immediate term and go back out to the industry and the community and show what we have learned," Fields said.
Here is a list of participating restaurants as of Oct. 2.
Phoenix on Westheimer
1915 Westheimer Road, Houston
Latin Bites Kitchen
5709 Woodway Drive, Ste. B, Houston
Prego
2520 Amherst Street, Houston
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.
2101 Summer Street, Houston
Providence Heights Bar
1308 W. 20th Street, Houston
Down The Street
5746 Larkin Street, Houston
Buffalo Wild Wings
5805 N. Highway 6, Houston
Fogo de Chao Churrascaria
8250 Westheimer Road, Houston
We Olive & Wine Bar
249 West 19th Street, Ste. B, Houston
