DIXON, CA (MPG) - While the enthusiasm was strong when City staff heard from the downtown restaurant owners about changing Ferguson Alley into an outdoor dining patio to help the business owners serve more customers, it seems paperwork is taking the wind from the sails--or better, "sales."

"The restaurateurs are in the process of completing their compliance requirements, after which I think you’ll see some fairly quick progress," said Larry Burkhardt, Economic Development/Grants Manager for the City of Dixon. But, after the area was power-sprayed and sanitized, no other change happened.

City Manager Jim Lindley, who vowed three weeks ago to help establish the venue, requested that each restaurateur submit their ideas and cost estimates for review.  If the plans are accepted, he asks the business to make the purchases and to save their receipts for reimbursement. 

"In addition, if public rights of way are involved, an encroachment permit is required, along with supplemental insurance naming the City as an additional insured," said Burkhardt.  "Structures like the pergola to be built behind Rosemary’s will be reviewed by the Building Inspector for safety and ADA compliance."

"I was frustrated at first. I feel the city should have talked about it first and been more forward thinking so we would know [the specifics,]" said Rosa Barron of Rosemary's Farm to Fork who is now working with the City's Building Inspector Joel Ingram. "I thought there was only one permit but we're moving ahead and getting the drawings and dimensions to build a pergola."

The plans do not take up the whole alley way, she explained because the other merchants need to keep access for deliveries, but the seating will be in the parking area and there will be planters and wine barrels with strung lights overhead. She drove around to Davis and Winters and noted that the set ups "were not that nice." She wants this to be better.

"This is not just for Jill and I," she said. "I want it to make it nice for Dixon. I live in Dixon and I want Dixon to have a cool place--and this is going to be so cool."

Last City Council Meeting brought some bit of good news. They approved use of up to $40,000 to reimburse local businesses for items purchased that would expand their ability to conduct business outdoors (e.g. the Ferguson Alley work), or for items/equipment needed to conduct business indoors safely, given the state mandates, according to Burkhardt. This could be umbrellas, tables, cleansers, paper menus, or even hand sanitizer.

"This funding came from the CARES Act, and went to local jurisdictions to pay for impacts of COVID-19. It is not a grant program that businesses can apply to," he said. Not having to pay back a loan made the difference for Dawson's Bar & Grill owners Jill and Greg Orr.

"We're going to make [Ferguson Alley] work," she said. "We are doing our drawings and we applied for our permit so we're working on it. I am excited but there is so much for us everyday. It is like building an airplane in the air. You don't know what you're doing but we are getting it done."

It must have just been a whole lot easier to buy another picnic table and put it out front, with restaurants taking advantage of what the city had already permitted the restaurants to do temporarily when the first shutdown was ordered. Bud's Pub & Grill, Dawson's, A Street Deli, La Cocina and numerous other restaurants including the new Pedro's on Ary Lane followed suit. In fact, dining out has become the in thing for this little town known for its great variety of eateries. A town tour during lunch or dinner hour proves it. Umbrellas are everywhere and so are the diners.

"You've got to work with them," Barron said about working with the City. The new Pergola is due to be installed in Ferguson Alley today.