Restaurant owners could take to the streets to reopen

PITTSBURGH — Restaurant owners who have been shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic said they want to reopen.

Mayor Bill Peduto said restaurants are in danger and called the next month critical.

He mentioned blocking off some city streets, including Butler Street in Lawrenceville for additional outdoor dining or even using side streets.

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Peduto believes if outdoor seating were established now, this could save struggling restaurants.

He mentioned blocking off streets in neighborhoods such as Shadyside and Lawrenceville. In particular, he said it is possible to block off portions of Walnut Street to add tables.

Patrons could then grab a menu from whichever restaurant and eat outside. He said it would be up to each neighborhood association to choose which streets would work best.

Peduto said his office had talked with around a half-dozen neighborhoods about temporarily blocking off streets in some areas.

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