Next week, city officials will again discuss the placement of Jersey-style barriers for extended outdoor dining.

Extended outdoor dining was introduced two years ago in the Gate City to help downtown eateries navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, it was successful and extremely helpful to most of our amazing restaurants.

Two years on, though, many local residents and business owners think it’s time to end this venture.

While the health of local businesses and the vibrancy of downtown should be top of mind, the placement of these barriers again this year would do more harm than good – on multiple fronts. Non-restaurants would struggle due to the lack of accessible parking for older and handicapped clientele and traffic flow would again turn into a nightmare. Plus, the overall aesthetic of the barriers cheapens the look of our cherished downtown.

In November 2021, The Telegraph ran a survey on it’s website asking readers to weigh in, and of the more than 3,100 unique responses, 80.3 percent of participants were against bringing back the barriers for another year. In addition, many downtown business owners – including some restaurants – have voiced opposition.

While the barriers served their purpose, it’s time to rethink this approach. Sidewalk dining is a plus, and adds much to downtown Nashua; however, for safety purposes – including the navigation of emergency vehicles – and for the sake of small businesses, it’s time to shelve the barriers and unite to slowly and methodically develop a long-term plan that is favorable to all, instead of just one segment of the business community.

This should not be a rushed process, and certainly does not have to be done this year. Let’s all work together to find a solution but, for now, and for the sake of our already-busy and construction-filled downtown, kick the barriers to the curb this year. The majority must be heard and heeded. And, no, it’s not just the opinion of a “vocal few.” It truly is the opinion of the majority to not place the barriers – for now – until a compromise can be reached that will benefit the entire community, including the city.

No more barriers.