The city of Wichita is offering a new program that will allow restaurants, retail shops and bars to expand to outdoor services.
Open Air ICT will offer free permits to businesses that would allow them to use adjacent sidewalks, parking lots and streets for outdoor dining, shopping and advertising. The purpose is to help businesses provide safer environments for social distancing to protect against the coronavirus.
Mayor Brandon Whipple says having more options for businesses to expand outdoors will be healthier for the community and better for the business.
The permits will be in effect through August 1st, 2021, and the city will offer a streamlined application and approval process. More information is available through the city’s website at www.wichita.gov/openairICT The city will also provide badges to approved businesses to display on their websites.
