HomeMy WebLinkAbout061521 FEICK, KIRA - 08.1
June 15, 2021
Hon. Renee Morgan
Hon. Newell Arnerich
Hon. Dave Fong
Hon. Robert Storer
Hon. Karen Stepper
Dear Honorable Mayor and Danville City Council members,
Thank you for the opportunity to share our position regarding the extension of our current parklets. My
name is Kira Feick and I am the Chair of the Board for the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. On
behalf of the Chamber, I’d like to thank you for your previous swift actions to allow our small businesses
to open in some capacity during 2020. The parklets have allowed businesses to continue to operate,
employees to continue to work, and our community to have some semblance of normal during the most
turbulent year on record.
Also on behalf of the Chamber, I would like to encourage the Council to extend the use of these parklets,
and perhaps even fold them into the Town’s General Plan.
Now that restaurants can again operate at 100% indoors, the additional outdoor seating will provide an
opportunity for restaurants to regain some of the losses incurred during 2020 and 2021, while perhaps
even providing the opportunity to hire additional local employees. But the parklets are helping more
than just our restaurants. Our retail establishments have seen increases in business as well, due to more
people coming to our downtown area to enjoy our restaurants. And last but not least on this list, the
parklets have provided a feeling of community for downtown Danville that can last well beyond the end
of the pandemic. We’ve created something great here, and the feedback we have received at the
Chamber has been overwhelmingly positive with regards to the idea of keeping parklets on a more
permanent basis. And it’s not only our businesses that have provided this positive feedback, but our
residents as well. Our residents love being able to be with each other and enjoy our beautiful downtown
area together, and the parklets have contributed immensely to a sense of community that’s been
unmatched in recent years.
Of course, the Chamber understands the opportunity to extend parklets is a two-way street, and safety,
ADA considerations, and a uniform look and feel to the parklets would need to be established over time.
We feel this is a healthy trade-off to allow our downtown businesses to continue to operate and recoup
the losses experienced in 2020 and 2021, while further encouraging a vibrant and engaging downtown
that becomes a destination for those in surrounding communities.
The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce exists to support and engage our local businesses, and as such,
I would like to reiterate our support of the extension of the parklets. Danville can be a leader in the
permanent establishment of extended outdoor dining and provide much needed economic stimulation
as well as a sense of community and local pride in our great town. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kira Feick
Board Chair
Danville Area Chamber of Commerce