The Athens-Clarke County Commission is voting on a change to a street vendor ordinance next month and it’s causing quite the stir.
For decades, vendors have been able to sell food, merchandise and services on the streets of downtown Athens. The selling of hot dogs, pizzas, drinks and other goods died down during COVID, but has been steady in recent years.
The Athens Downtown Development Authority recommends that on-site cooking and on-site food preparation on the newly renovated College Square be eliminated.
The change reads, “Street sales of food and beverages within College Square shall be limited to prepackaged foods and beverages. On-site cooking and on-site food or beverage preparation are prohibited in street merchant-assigned locations within College Square.”
The change was debated by commissioners, Mayor Kelly Girtz and a couple of Athens residents at last Tuesday’s session.
Owner of Dirty Dawgs hot dog truck Lin King has been operating his business on the corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street since 2003. He voiced his concerns.
“I’m respectfully asking how you eliminate one type of small business in favor of another,” King said. “Downtown has room for both restaurants and responsible street vendors.”
In his prepared speech, King noted that the Mayor and Commission increased the street merchant fees from $150 to $200 per trimester in June.
David Lynn, who was representing the ADDA as the director of planning and outreach, spoke in favor of the change. Lynn cited instances of vendors pouring grease into the street, which caused damage.
“This isn’t personal,” Lynn said. “We do feel there is a place for downtown vendors, it’s just not in the middle of your brand-new legacy project of College Square.”
Later in the session, the commissioners debated about the proposed change for about 30 minutes. The group of 10 commissioners were divided in their opinions on the proposal.
“Eliminating it all together I don’t feel is appropriate,” said District 2 commissioner Melissa Link. "We want that diverse activity in our community and in our gathering spaces.”
And District 10 commissioner Mike Hamby agreed more with the ADDA.
“I want the dude who is selling hot dogs to stay in business too,” Hamby said. “But I also want us to make sure that we are good stewards of what we’re trying to do and make it easier for people to enforce it.”
The mayor and commission will vote on the proposed ordinance change on Tuesday, October 6 at the next regular session.
