LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The city of Las Vegas announced the closure of certain streets downtown in support of more outdoor dining areas as restaurants continue to reopen.
The closures include California Avenue between Main Street, 6th Street between Fremont Street and Carson Avenue to vehicular traffic between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day.
The half-block closures will be done to facilitate a new program called "Dine Out Downtown," where tables, chairs, pop-up shade covers, and portable trees will be placed outside to accommodate takeout dining.
This area will follow the state of Nevada social distancing recommendations for tables, chairs, and other furniture.
The program will run through Phases 1 and 2 of the state of Nevada orders.
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Guests will be able to purchase takeout food and drinks from downtown restaurants in the area and safely bring the food to one of the tables. City staff will be on hand to clean and disinfect the tables and chairs between uses.
"We're all abiding by the hygiene and separation, masks, everything," Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said.
She says the idea came from the city manager's daughter, who saw this happening in a southeastern state. The mayor says after a short conversation, the decision was made to move forward.
"Hopefully, this pilot program will help our small businesses, restaurants, and taverns, and then we'll expand it all around the city," Mayor Goodman said.
The program is expected to allow more people to enjoy the restaurants and eateries in downtown while practicing social distancing at the same time.
"It was good having someone else make a drink for a change instead of me," Mark Deering, who lives in Las Vegas, said.
Deering says he hasn't been downtown in a while and was taking advantage of the new set up Thursday.
"You get out of your house, but you're still safe and everything," Deering said.
A few workers also told 13 Action News they were happy to see dining pavilions set up downtown.
"This day is doing something to unify downtown in a way," Maiv Arteaga, a manager at Tacotarian, said. "It's nice to see everybody come back."
