Just a month ago, a stretch of Humphrey Street would have been mostly empty due to COVID-19 restrictions. Even before the pandemic, you wouldn’t see people seated outdoors, but now, on warm nights, the area is teeming with people outside of businesses such as G Bar and Kitchen and Cafe Avellino.
The sidewalk along Humphrey Street has been transformed into a more welcoming outdoor area that also allows for social distancing, thanks to an effort among town officials and voting residents.
The parking spaces along the sidewalk have been blocked off, but new parking spaces have been painted farther out into the road. Where the previous parking was allowed, there are barriers which have been painted with ocean scenes, such as jellyfish and seaweed. Outdoor dining is allowed where it previously wasn’t, and people have been taking advantage of the changes.
“In this case, it’s about having parklets, on Humphrey Street in particular, and have outdoor seating areas for businesses,” said Select Board Chairman Peter Spellios.
According to Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, the changes were made as a way to help the town’s small businesses, which had suffered somewhat because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “safely reopen.”
The changes to Humphrey Street were made possible by two articles that passed at last month’s annual Town Meeting. The town amended its general bylaws to allow outdoor dining in the area, and also amended its zoning bylaws so that businesses in the area could use public “right-of-way” spaces.
“One thing I’ve been particularly impressed with is how nimble our community development staff and town staff have been relative to putting this in place,” Spellios said. “They have done yeomen’s work.”
The articles voted also allow the changes to continue in summer of 2021.
But it hasn’t just been about social distancing — the area along Humphrey Street has been beautified. In addition to the painted barriers commissioned by the town, the Department of Public Works and Community Development Department have had planters installed on site to give the outdoor area a more natural and earthy feel.
Those who have visited the area recently have been happy with the changes, including Diane Gallagher, who visited G Bar and Kitchen with her husband earlier this week.
“We have loved coming here since moving to the area 10 years ago,” Gallagher said. “And it’s always been so nice to sit outside with the ocean breeze close by … It almost feels like back-to-normal again. We can come and sit, no one is going to not be socially distant. It’s nice. It’s pretty.”
Samantha Hill said she enjoys walking in the area, and is glad the town has made Humphrey Street more usable for diners and people who just want to hang out in the area.
“I have always loved walking around, enjoying the outdoors, sitting down if I want, going inside somewhere if I want,” Hill said. “It’s a great spot.”
