City opens door to food carts

Source: The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.mini storageJuly 23--SPRINGFIELD -- The city has made it easier for business owners to sell food on the streets of downtown, and elsewhere in town, passing two amendments Monday to alter municipal code in order to develop a program for local vendors.The goal is to stimulate economic activity and foot traffic in the area known as the Downtown Redevelopment Zone as well as in Glenwood, Mohawk and other commercial districts.The City Council, in its last meeting before a five-week summer recess, discussed the proposed amendments in a work session before twice voting 5-1 in regular session to approve them.Councilor Dave Ralston was the opposing vote, saying the changes would give an unfair competitive advantage to mobile vendors who have lower overhead costs than permanent restaurants.Three people spoke during a public hearing, including Jeff Heriot, one of the owners of the Washburne Cafe, a Main Street business. Heriot, of Eugene, read a prepared statement in which he asserted that food carts should not be allowed to operate on public or city-owned property until there is more foot traffic downtown.Heriot disagreed with the assumption in a city staff presentation that more options would increase traffic. He said for most downtown business owners, there is a thin line between closing their doors and staying in business."Most business owners are still struggling to make a reasonable profit," he said.Under previous city code, food carts were considered "transient merchants" and not permitted in many areas, including downtown. The code lumped them in the same category as Christmas tree and fireworks stands, said Kevin Ko, a city economic development employee.Soon, with the written consent of property owners, food carts will be able to operate on private business properties. In additionself storage the city will establish a downtown Food Cart Program in partnership with NEDCO, the economic development nonprofit corporation.Tony Mickalson already has an arrangement like that -- on a trial basis -- in the parking lot of US Bank's downtown branch. He sells hot dogs there and spoke of the positive feedback he has received from customers."I think it would be good for downtown, just based on the response I get," he said. "It doesn't hurt the restaurants."Several councilors echoed the concerns outlined by Heriot and instructed Ko to work with NEDCO to structure the program in a way that takes those concerns into account, and to do more outreach to existing businesses before finalizing the program.Laurie Trieger, NEDCO's local works manager, testified that her agency would oversee the vendors, including for food safety and compatibility with the area."We really think this will strengthen downtown," she said. "We don't see it as competition. We see it as an addition."Vendors will pay fees, which have yet to be determined, Ko said.The food cart program applies solely to the Downtown Redevelopment Zone, whose boundaries are South A, Mill, B and 10th streets.But the new rules could also allow vendors in other areas of the city, including on commercial land, public spaces, streets and sidewalks.Mayor Christine Lundberg, who used to own a downtown restaurant, said she has a unique perspective on the issue. She emphasized that what downtown needs is more people coming through, regardless of what draws them there."We have to make downtown a destination," she said. Until the number of people downtown increases, "we are experimenting a little bit."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.) Visit The Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.) at www.registerguard.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉