Reviving and energizing the downtown retailing sector was again the goal Tuesday of the Perry City Council, which ended its fiscal year by approving a public-private pilot program for the creation of up to four parklets and streateries on Second Street.

As their names imply, a parklet is a little park, and a streatery is an eatery in the street. The pilot program will allow private parties, such as bar owners or restaurateurs, to lease a pair of Second Street parking spaces and install outdoor amenities.

“This is something that’s been informally discussed for probably the last year,” Perry Community an Economic Director Mike Fastenau told the council, “but it’s something that is a result of the pandemic and businesses needing to restart and rejump and in addition we get a great deal of momentum downtown.”

Fastenau said the outdoor amenities have become popular in many large cities as a way “to enhance the aesthetics, vibrancy and economic vitality of the historic downtown.” He said the downtown merchants have expressed their enthusiastic support for the idea.

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Perry City Administrator Sven Peterson said the virus-imposed requirements for social distancing will probably continue for the next 12 to 18 months.

“So as much as this is a community-development-and-vibrancy project for a downtown, it’s also a business-relief project for the next basically 18 months,” Peterson said. “So that’s something to really keep in mind as far as providing an opportunity for these restaurants and businesses to have an outdoor space.”

He said users of the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the soon-to-open High Trestle Trail connector appear to prefer to use patios and outdoor dining areas “not only because of the pandemic and wanting to be outside in a safe environment, but it’s just kind of popular right now.”

Perry Mayor John Andorf said the parklets and streateries could help revive downtown business.

“Before this pandemic hit, we were really making great strides to bring people downtown,” Andorf said. “Now, I think, we need to try to maintain that and bring people downtown again and also support our businesses. All of use want to see our businesses survive, quite frankly, and this is one small step to move forward and make that happen.”