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Q&A
Economic impact and revenue projections for outdoor dining program
0:52:39
·
76 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about the added revenue and financial benefits of the outdoor dining program. Business owners express uncertainty about the economic impact and whether the program will be financially viable in the long term.
- Businesses are unsure if the revenue will justify the costs ('if the juice is worth the squeeze')
- The current season will be telling for determining the program's financial viability
- Concerns raised about potentially operating at a loss despite paying for a four-year permit
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:52:39
Right and in terms of and so I hear often like folks love the the program to give an option to businesses and you know as it was said before to expand even the the service you're able to give to your your customers.
0:52:56
How much just wanting to get an idea, dollar and cents again and anyone can answer this, how much added revenue have you seen now or project with this new model?
0:53:09
Do you see yourself breaking even?
0:53:11
Is it still an added benefit?
Megan Rickerson
0:53:15
I think that's very much like remains to be seen.
0:53:18
Like when I said I felt duped, it's because I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze.
0:53:24
Right?
0:53:25
I don't know because I also didn't expect it to cost as much as it did.
0:53:30
So it's really gonna be I have to get through this season and see where we're at.
0:53:35
And, you know, if next year I realize that I'm at a loss from operating, then I've just paid for four years up front, and I'm gonna use one of those because what's the point of operating at a loss and losing money on it?
0:53:49
So I think this year is going to be very telling on how that goes.