Title
Resolution to Explore the Feasibility of Activating the Library Lane Surface Parking Lot with Food Trucks and Mobile Vendors
Body
Whereas, On August 5, 2021, the Council of the Commons, an advisory Commission to City Council, unanimously recommended the City explore temporarily activating the Library Lane surface parking lot through regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other like commercial vendors such as artisan pop-ups to foster a more vibrant, urban environment;
Whereas, The Council of the Commons recommends planning efforts:
1. Make use of existing city ‘use’ processes from like spaces and activities (e.g. A2 Farmer’s Market, street fairs, and community events*) to aid activation of the Library Lane surface parking lot. The Council of the Commons urges the City not to “reinvent the wheel”, to the extent possible and to utilize best practices.
2. Solicit the involvement from Center of the City block participants - including the Downtown Development Authority, the Ann Arbor District Library, street associations, private businesses, and others - to collectively ensure this activation is successful,
3. If programmed, the City works to attract a diversity of vendors, as well as the creation of activities that attract diverse participants, to support and advance Ann Arbor’s values of social and racial equity and inclusion.
Whereas, The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Food Truck Nation 2018 Report finds that “food trucks offer a net positive to the established restaurant industry”, notes that the relative low cost of entry make food trucks a vehicle for entrepreneurial opportunity and economic growth, and can foster the development of small, minority owned businesses (in Chicago 80% of all food trucks are minority owned);
RESOLVED, City Council directs the City Administrator to investigate the costs, operational needs, sustainability, and feasibility of utilizing the Library Lane surface parking lot for regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other similar and complementary programming such as artisan pop-ups and small musical performances and provide a report to City Council no later than April 1, 2023; and
RESOLVED, City Council further requests the City Administrator's final report examine the challenges and benefits of partnering with an external or non-profit entity to manage the program on the City’s behalf, if barriers to City operation are deemed significant.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Briggs, Disch, Grand and Hayner