City Community Events Manager John Fillman and permitting staff told the Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee on Aug. 19 that open-streets events — from simple block parties to large festivals — require a multi-step permitting process designed to ensure safety and access.

Fillman summarized the process: organizers begin with a public-space inquiry form, submit a full application with a site plan and fee, and, if conditionally approved, provide insurance and final safety documentation before permits are issued (staff said permits are typically issued about 48 hours before event setup). For a standard street closure event, staff said direct city-related costs can exceed $1,200 before entertainment or marketing expenses are added. That total can include application fees, barricade rentals, insurance, transit impact fees, parking impacts, and public safety staffing; nonprofits can receive discounts and an annual event support grant may reimburse some costs, though program funds are limited.

Fillman said the city saw an 11% drop in total permitted events for 2025 versus 2024 and attributed the decline to fewer recurring small events, riverfront access challenges, and the discontinuation of one consistent weekly art market. He described a range of staff supports: production contracts with trusted partners for signature events, a 75% nonprofit discount for certain costs, and an event-support grant that can reimburse eligible costs including application fees, alcohol permits and parking expenses. He said the parking reimbursement budget is limited and supported mostly nonprofit-organized free public events on city property.

Committee members focused on lowering barriers to small, local events. Council Member Sage, Councilwoman Turner and Councilwoman Kim (last name not provided) repeatedly said they would prefer easier, lower-cost open-streets options ahead of any expansion of social districts. Council members asked staff to consider the Sunday parking charge for closures, whether open-streets events qualify for micro-grant programs and how to publicize grant and voucher programs to organizers.

Transportation and parking staff explained current parking fees: on-street meter rate $2.50 per hour; city garages $2 per hour (with a daily maximum reduced from $25 to $15); and a separate $25-per-day-per-space fee for meter and non-metered space closures. Staff said they can offer a 15% bulk discount (voucher validations) on garage validations for purchases over $300 or 300 validations, but they cannot give targeted fee waivers to specific groups because the parking operation is run as an enterprise fund and must apply fees equitably.

Committee direction: members asked staff to return with more concrete, near-term options to reduce barriers to open-streets events (examples included better publicity for existing vouchers and grant programs, a review of the Sunday parking-charge policy, and possible rolling mini-grants through local arts partners). Several members signaled willingness to advance an open-streets subsidy proposal to the full council for decision.

Next steps identified by staff include exploring targeted voucher and parking options, improving outreach for the city’s event supports, and evaluating preferred closure zones or streets that could be prioritized for temporary closures over time.