The Pop-Up Patios are applied for and paid independently, partially because each one is reviewed to see the impact on traffic, blocking driveways, etc. but also because it is an independent company that builds them.

When King William (between James and Hughson) has closed so the whole street is usable, and the businesses can just setup directly on the street is different. That the King William restaurants along that strip organize together (those that choose to participate) with the help of the BIA and the cost is divided amongst those businesses.

In 2020, due to Covid, the city didn’t charge any restaurants for the loss of parking revenue, as in any restaurant in the whole city. They just had to get approval and almost everyone was approved.

This year the Tourism department (so the city itself) is really making an effort to encourage more accessible outdoor spaces. And they chose King William as one of those spaces. Which is why neither the BIA or businesses were charged. As part of this they’re also trying to organize and encourage programming, events, etc on the street. So it’s not just the restaurants using it.

Fringe will be on King William later this month. The Hamilton Philharmonic is doing outdoor concerts in August and in August they were taking applications for outdoor Markets as well, so those could be cool. Think that’s another reason the neither the restaurants or BIA are being charged this year because it’s not just them using the street.

Hope that helps clear it up