Columbus is a town of foodies, and one of the latest popular food trends is the food truck. They are a popular part of downtown special events like Picnic with the Pops at Columbus Commons. Their sudden surge in popularity has prompted the City of Columbus to work on regulations to help ensure public safety and protect "brick and mortar" restaurants from unfair competition. 

Capital Crossroads SID has worked with City Council as it crafts regulations that include delineating specific spots available for parking trucks, as well as inspections to ensure the trucks meet the city's health and fire codes.

The Columbus Dispatch noted in an article on June 3 that the regulations are getting off to a rough start and may need to be reworked. Most trucks have not showed up for the required inspections. This means that likely there will not be enough trucks that have passed inspection to fill the 15 metered spaces the city has set aside downtown and in the Short North for the trucks.

"Capital Crossroads is committed to working with the city and food truck owners to develop regulation for these vendors," explained Cleve Ricksecker, Executive Director of CCSID. "The food trucks can offer exciting options for downtown diners, but only if they do not cannibalize business for restaurants with permanent locations.

Capital Crossroads will continue to monitor and offer input as the regulations work their way through City Council.