Outdoor dining returns along Clark Street in River North for the summer

BJ Lutz
·1 min read

CHICAGO — Outdoor dining along a portion of Clark Street in River North will resume this summer.

The city on Wednesday issued a permit allowing expanded outdoor dining on Clark Street between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street. The permit “balances the needs of residents, businesses, workers, visitors, and the local community,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.

The move will let restaurants extend their dining areas into the sidewalk and parking lane without fully closing Clark Street to vehicular traffic.

Outdoor dining became popular during the pandemic lockdowns as it allowed diners to experience area restaurants with social distancing in mind. There was opposition to the return of the outdoor dining setup due to safety and traffic concerns.

Issued permits will remain valid until October 31, 2024.

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