Maybe I was too self absorbed this weekend, but I missed the official passage. Finally! The note is the official city release. —The Hack
April 2, 2010 (MINNEAPOLIS) The Minneapolis City Council today unanimously approved the expansion of mobile food vending in downtown Minneapolis. Restaurant owners and entrepreneurs who do not own restaurants now have the opportunity to expand their operation to a mobile food vending vehicle that could park on a preapproved location within the Downtown Improvement District. Food preparation will also now be allowed in the vehicle.
“Street food carts are an idea that is rooted in the greatest food cultures across the world,” said City Council Member Lisa Goodman, whose ward includes Downtown, and whose office proposed the expansion of food vending. “We all know the adage that to truly understand a culture – eat its street food, find out which carts the locals eat at and line up. I believe it is beyond time to bring Minneapolis – as a city that tops the ratings charts in most every category – into the 21st century in terms of street vitality.”
“Minneapolis has taken a quantum leap forward in vibrancy and excitement with the approval of food vending trucks today and we are thrilled that the City Council removed the limits so all applicants could participate,” said Cynthia Gerdes, co-owner of Hells Kitchen.
Restaurants interested in having a mobile food vehicle will need to submit an application detailing the plans of their vehicle and the proposed location. The Downtown Improvement District and Public Works will provide assistance to direct applicants to prospective sites. Once a completed application is received, the materials will be reviewed and approved by Business Licenses and Public Works. The license fee for a mobile food vehicle is $483. There are also start up costs in the amount of $391. Applications will be accepted starting May 1 with hopeful implementation mid-summer.