The City of Santa Cruz does not want to remove any of the outdoor dining spaces that popped up during the pandemic. Quite the contrary, says Bonnie Lipscomb, Santa Cruz’s economic development director. The city wants to help restaurants keep the parklets and outdoor dining options and transition from temporary to permanent permits. The process can take time, she says, but the city is working to streamline it. The ultimate goal, she says, is to keep these spaces open long-term and keep dining outdoors safe and accessible to all.
