Community discussion on food trucks to be held next month in Rochester
A group of community advocates hope to continue the discussion on food trucks during an event next month at the new Kutzky Market.
Social media went into a frenzy last week in response to news that the city had informed BB's Pizzaria it could no longer operate out of a space next to the Calvary Episcopal Church's parking lot in downtown Rochester.
The business had made an arrangement with the church to set up on the property, but were later informed the alley was owned by the city.
The city's crackdown on BB's — technically the right move policy-wise — sparked a conversation about the city's ordinance, which essentially bans food trucks from the "central business district" (it also prohibits trucks from stopping for more than 15 minutes a time).
The overwhelming majority of feedback was in support of loosening the city's ordinance to allow more food vendors downtown.
In response, City Council President Randy Staver told the Med City Beat that he's open to hearing new ideas. However, he said no realistic proposals have yet been brought forward.
The group hosting the food truck forum on July 1 hopes to change that. They are inviting vendors, city officials and the general public to discuss how the city can address food trucks moving forward.
"The recent removal of the BB's Pizza truck from downtown resulted in an outpouring of community opinion," notes a news release. "It also evidenced a deep desire for a change to current city rules."
Charette Happens, of Design Rochester, will be on hand to guide a discussion about food trucks in Rochester and what the community would like to see happen in the future.
A number of trucks will serve food at the event. Despite featuring the vendors, organizers are not taking any one stance or recommending any specific rule changes. Instead, they hope to "engage all stakeholders with the hope of creating proactive, forward motion."
Time: Wednesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Kutzky Market parking lot (1005 6th Street NW)
Transportation from downtown:
- Boarding station at the Marriott (101 1st Avenue SW)
- Trolley will run every 15 minutes
- First trolley to market: 11 a.m.
- Last trolley back downtown: 2 p.m.
Vendors (more to come):
- Old Abe Coffee Co
- BB’s Pizza
- Don’s Crumbled Beef
- Anthony’s Wood Fired Pizza
- El Carambas
- Mama Meg’s Parlour
- Tonic Local Kitchen & Juice Bar
Poll:
Featured content:
(Cover graphic: The Med City Beat)
