Betty Reid

The Republic | azcentral.com

A parklet would cost between %247%2C000 and %2415%2C000

Seating%2C dining alcove takes up parallel-parking spaces

Matt%27s Big Breakfast site of a pilot project

Most of them have public seating. Maybe some greenery. Some even have fountains or public art.

But they're not full-blown parks. The city doesn't necessarily own them. Or build them. Or regulate them (at least not yet).

They're called "parklets" — and they're a growing trend in several large U.S. cities. A few have popped up in Phoenix.

And like most new trends, now the city has to figure out how to handle them, especially because planning officials see potential for other parklets downtown and along Grand Avenue.

"Parklets are a significant enhancement to any urban streetscape, providing attractive scenery and inviting seat space on the street for folks to linger and socialize," said Cindy Stotler, the planning department's assistant director. "(Parklets) can be artistic and beautiful."

Although some businesses build parklets on private land — such as Shine Coffee in central Phoenix — some could expand onto public property.

The city launched a pilot program with downtown's Matt's Big Breakfast, where seating areas stretch over parallel parking spots.

The biggest issue is whether these parklets are public or private.

The City Council's Neighborhoods, Housing and Development Subcommittee plans to create a policy for such spaces. Members have looked to other cities to determine best practices, and they have developed a draft proposal.

Public vs. private

Phoenix planning officials said they have heard concerns on both sides of the debate whether to make parklets public or private.

If the city makes parklets private, for example, it might be easier to get buy-in from nearby businesses.

However, the general public might not be able to use the seating, the owners could limit hours and enforcement would be difficult, city officials said.

If the areas became public venues, however, the city might have to deal with issues such as vandalism, officials said.

Testing the waters

Tim Sprague, with Habitat Metro, sits on the Infill Advisory Group, which promotes growth and development in areas served by the Valley light-rail system and public infrastructure. Sprague, a Valley resident for 33 years, brought the parklet idea to the table.

"It activates the pedestrian traffic in our city," Sprague said. "It creates space for people within a community."

The city launched a demonstration project at Matt's Big Breakfast, a popular eatery on First Street just south of Roosevelt Street.

The city's Street Transportation Department paid $20,000 to build outdoor seating that extends into the street.

Transportation officials did not respond to requests for information about the project.

Owners of Matt's Big Breakfast, however,said that when they get a rush of customers, the outside seating area serves as a waiting area. They said they like it and are grateful for the project.

Planning officials said that once the council approves a parklet policy, they will create a wider parklet pilot program and accept applicants from downtown and the Grand Avenue area.

Portland 'street seats'

Major cities such as Portland, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles have started to use parklets to fill empty spaces, such as street lanes.

Portland, which calls parklets "street seats," started its policy in 2012.

"(Street seats) are another way to bring life to the streetscape that benefits businesses and the neighborhood," said Diane Dulken, a Portland Bureau of Transportation spokeswoman.

When Philadelphia proposed allowing parklets on the streets, the public raised concern about property destruction and graffiti. The city opened publicparklets in 2012 and has not had any property-damage reports, said Cara Ferrentino, a Philadelphia planner.

Communities took ownership of the parklets, she said.

"Some business owners, they've tracked sales of businesses nearby and report retail sales increased from 15 to 40 percent," Ferrentino said.

Proposal moves forward

Stotler said the Phoenix Planning and Development Department will continue to tweak the parklets policy, which she projects will be considered bythe council this fall.

When department officials appeared before the Neighborhoods, Housing and Development sSubcommittee last month, members liked the idea, Stotler said.

Highlights of the city's draft proposal include:

• Property owners, neighborhoods, business associations or individual businesses could propose to build and maintain a parklet. They would pay for the parklet's construction, which might cost from $7,000 to $15,000.The amount would cover the cost of materials plus bonds, permits, parking-meter removal or plan review.

• Applicants would need support from nearby property owners by collecting petition signatures.

• Applicants would maintain the parklets and would need to have insurance.

• The city could revoke the permit and remove the parklet if the owners misuse it.