Small tables around the Public Square?
The City of Darlington is moving toward setting up “bistro-size” tables for two around the Public Square if some details can be worked out, officials say. City planner Lisa Chalian-Rock said the concept is to “make downtown more walkable and friendly.” The original idea came from Mayor Curtis Boyd. The city hopes to set up 13 small tables along the outer edges of sidewalks along the Square, and officials hope the $18,000 total cost of the project can be financed mostly or entirely by donations from area businesses. But since the tables would go in rights-of-way owned by the Department of Transportation, DOT must give permission first, Rock said. Rock said there was no specific timetable for the project to begin; the city is waiting to hear from DOT. — Bobby Bryant