RON AND DON

Streatery conundrum: Is parking or outdoor seating more of a draw at restaurants?

Feb 27, 2015, 2:27 PM | Updated: 4:56 pm

Applications for streatery locations are now be accepted along with applications for parklets aroun...

Applications for streatery locations are now be accepted along with applications for parklets around the City of Seattle. (Seattle Department of Transportation photo)

(Seattle Department of Transportation photo)

The City of Seattle is rolling out a new pilot program allowing restaurants to build “streateries.” A streatery creates an outdoor eating space in the place of a parking spot, but some wonder which is more valuable.

“You’re taking away parking,” said Ron & Don Show host Ron Upshaw. “I’m sure restaurants in town lose business because someone is driving around trying to find a space and is like I was going to go and spend a lot of money at this restaurant, but I literally can’t find a space. So I’m out of here.”

Ron said it’s happened to him where he’s had to abandon his dining plans because he couldn’t find parking in the area.

Co-host Don O’Neill agrees and said he often makes his dining decisions based on where he knows he can find a place to park.

“There’s all kinds of restaurants I would like to try, but I don’t go there because I have my car, so I end up going somewhere where I know I can actually park.”

The new streatery program will allow restaurants, for a small fee, to use the parking space to serve customers during their business hours. During non-business hours, the space will be considered a public parklet.

The city is now accepting applications for new parklet and streatery sites. They will select 15 streatery locations as part of the pilot program.

Would you rather have a parking spot or a streatery?

Ron and Don

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Streatery conundrum: Is parking or outdoor seating more of a draw at restaurants?