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Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District. Minneapolis Food Trucks. History Longstanding ordinance allowing food carts on Nicollet Mall 2010 - new ordinance allowing mobile food vendors (food trucks) on sidewalks and in parking lots 6 vendors first year
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Minneapolis Food Trucks • History • Longstanding ordinance allowing food carts on Nicollet Mall • 2010 - new ordinance allowing mobile food vendors (food trucks) on sidewalks and in parking lots • 6 vendors first year • 2011 modification of ordinance to allow MFV locations at meters and in transit lane of Marquette and 2nd Avenues (off peak)
Minneapolis Food Trucks • History (con’t) • 2011 modification of ordinance to allow MFV locations at meters and in transit lane of Marquette and 2nd Avenues • 26 licenses granted in 2011 • 2012 no ordinance changes. City implemented new parking meters on Marquette and 2nd Avenues • 43 licenses granted in 2012 • Explosion of trucks in downtown
Minneapolis Food Trucks • Ordinance • Approved Locations: Nicollet Mall sidewalk (with prior approval), meters, transit lanes (off Peak) • Minimum of 180 days selling • Not within 500 feet of festival, 100’ of restaurant entrance on same block face • Nominal license fee • MFV must be associated with commercial kitchen • Vehicle must be licensed by City Health Dept • Cooking is permitted, (food carts = prepared food only) • Must plug the meter
Mpls Food Trucks • Advantages • Vibrancy • Public loves them • A draw for downtown (e.g. Rail-gating) • Media • Many features on how “cool” Minneapolis is with all the new food choices Star Tribune City Pages The Downtown Journal Blogs Facebook Twitter Local television
Minneapolis Food Trucks • Disadvantages • Loss of business • Brick and mortar businesses experience significant loss of business • Favoritism • Low barriers to entry penalize brick and mortar establishments • Perception of favoritism (e.g low license fee, no property tax, opportunities created for trucks but not for restaurants) • Clean up • Grease on sidewalks • Trash • People sit or lean against buildings
Minneapolis Food Trucks • Disadvantages (con’t) • Right of Way • Crowded right of way • Loss of business and inhibited access for non-food related businesses located in key areas due to crowds • Loss of parking spots for businesses • Maintenance • Damage to sidewalks (for MFV located on sidewalks ) • Traffic • Large vehicles trolling for spots clog arteries during rush hour • Large vehicles block critical signage when parked
Next Steps • Today: DID Board of Director’s Meeting – Input/Reactions • Stakeholder Briefing Document • Overview of current situation & why a GNPO is needed in Downtown. • Study Overview & Recommendations • Brief Key Stakeholders on Results of Study • Sponsors of Study; Civic, Funding, Private and Public Leaders; Implementation Partners • 7/17/2012 DID Board Vote • Launch Activities (if approved on 7/17/2012) • Begin Fundraising for New Staff • Creation of Fundraising Capability • Launch 1-2 Projects
Lessons learned • Partnership between business community and policy makers is critical • Ability to manage where vendors locate • Develop plan for the inevitable effects (trash, crowding, restrooms, eating areas • Engage brick and mortar restaurants in some of the benefits • Clear guidelines for operators with penalties outlined