Louisville businesses can rent patios for summer

Louisville's downtown businesses can rent removable patios for the summer season at a cost of $500. This program runs from April to October. The city has 34 patios available, which are designed to provide extra outdoor seating. Business owners can apply for these patios starting later this month. The Louisville City Council approved a fee waiver at a recent meeting, reducing the rental cost from $1,000 to $500. Councilmember Barbara Hamlington opposed this decision, suggesting that all businesses in the city should be considered, not just those downtown. City officials expressed concern about how offering discounted patios might increase demand. Currently, restaurants are prioritized for the patio rentals. If any are left over, other types of businesses may also apply. The city purchased each patio for about $16,000 in 2021. This year's expected revenue from the patio program is around $25,000. Mayor pro tem Caleb Dickinson explained that the rental fee is intended to help recover costs rather than to create profit. With only 34 patios available, the council discussed the need for a plan to address growing demand in the future. Councilmember Judi Kern emphasized the importance of maintaining a vibrant downtown area for both businesses and residents. She proposed developing a future program that could offer discounted rates for businesses committing to rent a patio for 2026.