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Phew! Outdoor dining in LA gets another extension
Outdoor dining areas — such as this one at Park's BBQ in Koreatown — can stay for at least another year.
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Courtesy of Parks BBQ
)
Topline:
If you're dining outdoors tonight, raise a glass to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass: She has extended the city's al fresco dining program through 2025.
Why it matters: L.A. may be divided over issues of politics and how best to help the unhoused, but there is one thing we agree on — we love eating at the outdoor restaurants that cropped up in the wake of the pandemic. But there are rules and procedures, and getting all those places permitted so they can go from pop-up to permanent hasn't been easy.
Why now: The deadline for permitting these pop-ups has been extended again and again to give restaurants the time to go through the approval process. That process has still proven time consuming, costly and complicated for some restaurants and many feared they might not make it by Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. This week, Bass extended that deadline through December 2025 to give businesses even more time to get through the fraught process.
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What the mayor said: “Thousands of businesses have been assisted this year building on our momentum to change City Hall into an advocate for businesses — not a barrier," Bass said in a statement. "That’s why we’re extending the Al Fresco Outdoor Dining Program deadline — because we must support businesses and help them thrive."
How to get more info: Here's where to go to get an outdoor dining permit.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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