City Extends Popular Program For Downtown Tulsa Business Parklets

The Tulsa City Council has extended a program that allows downtown businesses to use parklets as an outdoor seating option.

Owners said it's been a big help, giving their customers extra space for social distancing and helping their businesses survive.

Rafael Serrano at Que Gusto said their parklet has given them extra business during this rough time. He's pleased that city is going to extend the waiver.

"It's a small business, Tulsa is a very supportive community,” Serrano said.

The waiver extension would run until April 1 of 2022, helping places like Que Gusto expand their seating capacity outside without extra cost. Serrano said his parklet allows the restaurant to seat around ten people.

Parklets take the place of one on-street parking space, sometimes more.

"The parklet program was already in the works, but we pushed it across the finish line during the pandemic,” Assistant Director of the Downtown Coordinating Council Maggie Hoey said.

Hoey said before COVID-19, the fee would offset the loss of revenue from the reduction in the number of parking meters being fed.

Francheska Alcantara rides her bike to work every day. She isn't fan of the parklets, as they are just inches from her bike lane, at least as a bicyclist.

“Something we have to balance, it's a give and take, being safe in spaces at restaurants and being able to ride,” Alcantara said.

Businesses can customize their parklet. Serrano said Que Gusto plans to add a roof soon.