Aggieville is looking at ways to alter its current business model, to better comply with the local health order and physical distancing requirements.
Speaking to the Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force Thursday, Aggieville Business Association Director Dennis Cook said his organization is in preliminary discussions with the city to propose measures to space customers out within the district.
“We are looking at a combination of some of those park-lets similar to what downtown got, or whether we can tent an area so we can allow some more people in a space while they’re waiting for a table, or close down the streets and open up streets and sidewalks to an extension of the bars, and allow more people to spread out,” he said.
Cook says under current restrictions where customers must be seated when consuming alcohol, bar capacity drops to 25 to 30 percent. Cook says businesses can’t survive on that type of capacity which is why they are seeking tabled seating options outdoors.
“So I think we need to provide tables and chairs and are looking at that just as preliminary thoughts we’re looking at no tables of 6 or 8 or 10, but maybe all tables are (seats of) fours,” he said.
Riley County Police Department Director Dennis Butler says he appreciates the idea in principle, but noted it could present challenges to enforcing, especially outdoors.
K-State Chief of Staff Linda Cook also expressed some concerns and disagreements with Cook on interpretations of Local Health Order No. 18.
All discussions are currently in the preliminary stage with a possible proposal to the city commission coming as early as next week.
