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Brandt Williams
Minneapolis

Mpls. council could expand outdoor food vending

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Some Minneapolis city council members are pushing for the passage of an ordinance that will increase the number of food vendors on downtown streets this summer.

Currently, the city only allows push carts selling hot dogs, pizza, popcorn or other pre-packaged foods.

The new proposal will allow vendors to store, prepare and sell food from mobile vehicles. The city wants vendors to be on the street a minimum of 180 days of the year, and vendors will have to own or lease a licensed commercial kitchen space.

Vendors can choose their location, however they'll be subject to a number of restrictions. They can only operate on a sidewalk wide enough to allow foot traffic around their vehicle. And if a vendor is within 100 feet of a restaurant they need to get the owner's permission.

Council member Lisa Goodman says there may be complications this year, but she wants the ordinance to move forward anyway.

"This is a very delicate balance with the existing property owners, business association, property owners as well as the food cart folks," Goodman said.

Some last minute changes to the ordinance make it less restrictive. The initial proposal prohibited food vendors from operating within 2,000 ft of the Metrodome, Target Center or Target Field on event days. That distance is now 500 ft.

If the ordinance passes, the city will start taking applications May 1.