"Parklets" may be permanent in Rogers

The Rogers City Council will vote tonight on whether to add rules for on-street dining (aka parklets) into the city code, according to the council's agenda.

What it means: Parklets, where restaurants add outdoor seating onto the street and sometimes onto parking spaces, gained popularity in light of the pandemic. Now, they could become a staple.

Details: Businesses would apply for a permit to add parklets and pay the city $1,000 per parking space they take up annually.

• Businesses with existing parklets that were allowed to open temporarily because of the pandemic will have to apply for a permit and pay the fees if they want to keep them, the city's community development director John McCurdy told Axios.

Context: Fayetteville decided over the summer to make parklets a permanent option. Looks like outdoor dining is forever changed.

Alex's thought bubble: Parklets are fun additions in most cases. They're great for people who don't feel comfortable eating indoors or who just want to enjoy the weather.

Go to the meeting: 6:30pm tonight at Rogers City Hall or online.