In the early days of the pandemic, the city of Portland’s transportation department created programs to provide restaurants with outdoor seating that would have otherwise not been allowed. Some streets were partially blocked to accommodate dining spaces outside, which was in many cases the safest form of dine-in service. Now the department has been directed to prepare to make these special outdoor seating arrangements permanent. Safety, ADA compliance and private use of public spaces are among the issues that need to be worked out — and funded by the city council. We’re joined by the head of the Portland Department of Transportation, Chris Warner to hear more about these plans. And two restaurant owners share the role that outdoor dining has played in their businesses: Lisa Schroeder of Mother’s Bistro and Bar, and Carlo Lamagna of Magna.