Point Pleasant Beach Comes Up With Plan For Outdoor Dining

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Mayor Paul Kanitra has come up with a plan for outdoor dining now that Gov. Phil Murphy is allowing that to happen.

Kanitra said he and the OEM Director were expected to sign a State of Emergency Declaration that would give restaurants "a fighting chance" once they're allowed to reopen by Murphy.

Outdoor dining will be allowed to resume on June 15. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Reopenings: What's Open Now, What's Opening Next

This declaration, when in effect, will temporarily loosen local restrictions on outdoor dining and allow for expansion into private parking lots to make up for the anticipated loss of capacity inside, Kanitra said.

In addition to this measure, officials have approached the county to discuss potential options for Arnold and Bay Avenues that would create outdoor space for restaurants in those areas as well.

"We are trying to help as many restaurants as humanly possible and logistics will allow," Kanitra said.

As mentioned previously, Kanitra said the town is still in the process of creating a "Pop Up" program for downtown to try and assist building owners and potential tenants in a mutually beneficial way "that will address vacancies and the difficult economic environment all will face coming out of this situation."

"We will continue to govern proactively in order to protect our business environment and position this town for long term success," he said. "Stay tuned for more."