Guelph extends downtown dining district pilot program

Restaurants in Guelph's downtown pedestrian zone/dining district have a few more weeks to continue serving customers on their temporary extended patios.

The downtown district pilot program, which was scheduled to end on Sept. 7, will now continue until Sept. 21.

"I'm thrilled with the way our downtown businesses, residents, and the rest of the community have come together to make the dining district a huge success," Mayor Cam Guthrie said in a release.

"I'm glad it's staying open a little while longer. In times of adversity, we have to come together to find creative solutions to complex challenges; the downtown pedestrian zone and extended patios are a couple great examples of Guelph getting it right during COVID-19."

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Macdonell and Wyndham Streets will be open to traffic and all affected Guelph Transit routes and stops will be restored.

Marty Williams, executive director with the Downtown Guelph Business Association, says he's glad the city has decided to allow patios in the pedestrian zone to remain another couple of weeks. He says the patios are a great attraction and an important source of employment and much needed economic activity. 

After Sept 22, there will be short-term road closures in the area as the city completes road repairs and line painting and clears catch basins and storm drains, the city noted.