The conflict over North End outdoor dining (Boston, Boylston: 2015, landlords)

[msRB311]

Overall it seems like a privileged issue. Waaah I have to pay 7500 bucks if I want my north end restaurant to have outdoor seating.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Overall it seems like a privileged issue. Waaah I have to pay 7500 bucks if I want my north end restaurant to have outdoor seating.

It is. It's not like they can't survive without it.

[massnative71]

Wu tells North End restaurant owners if they hate the outdoor patio program so much, she can just cancel it completely

https://universalhub.com/2022/wu-tel...s-if-they-hate

"Kristina Rex posts a copy of a letter Mayor Wu sent to North End restaurant owners that says the proposed outdoor-dining fee is because the people who actually live in the North End are fed up with the disruptions caused by outdoor dining there and the money would try to make things a bit better for them.
But, Wu continues:

If a critical mass of restaurant owners also believe this program is unworkable as proposed, I am prepared to rescind North End outdoor dining before the start of the season."

[msRB311]

Maybe the answer is get some more windows or doors that can be opened during the hot summer months so people can feel more like they’re outside. Some people actually don’t like to eat outside when it’s hot because they want to be inside with the AC.

[id77]

Originally Posted by msRB311

But other places that do offer don’t have to block the streets off

Not true. Some streets in Back Bay and South End get parts blocked (or closed entirely) for outdoor dining. Just off the top of my head, last year Stanhope got closed for Flour and Friendly Toast, part of Clarendon closed for DeLux, and Union Park had chunks closed for Aquitaine, Black Sheep, Buttery, and KAVA. Petit Robert got a few slots on Columbus, and several more got part of Washington.

[simplexsimon]

How did they arrive at the $7,500 figure? How will the money be used? It does seem unfair and targeted if streets are closed in other parts of the city for outdoor dining. There could be more buy-in if there was more explanation.

[id77]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

How did they arrive at the $7,500 figure? How will the money be used? It does seem unfair and targeted if streets are closed in other parts of the city for outdoor dining. There could be more buy-in if there was more explanation.

Good question. Per https://boston.eater.com/2022/3/24/2...s-restrictions, looks like the fees will go toward trash cleanup, rodent control, and traffic jams (whatever that means).

The only rational reason I can think of with the North End is that there's already very limited parking and with the restaurant density there it would be a significant reduction in resident parking. At least with the Back Bay and South End, the lost parking was overwhelmingly 2 hour/metered, so the net impact to residents was small.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

How did they arrive at the $7,500 figure? How will the money be used? It does seem unfair and targeted if streets are closed in other parts of the city for outdoor dining. There could be more buy-in if there was more explanation.

This. This is my only qualm and the question that needs to be asked. 7500 to pay for more police patrol at night, extra clean-up, more trash bins, and safety features makes sense. per id77 a lt of that is in there.

[ben young]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Wu tells North End restaurant owners if they hate the outdoor patio program so much, she can just cancel it completely

https://universalhub.com/2022/wu-tel...s-if-they-hate

"Kristina Rex posts a copy of a letter Mayor Wu sent to North End restaurant owners that says the proposed outdoor-dining fee is because the people who actually live in the North End are fed up with the disruptions caused by outdoor dining there and the money would try to make things a bit better for them.
But, Wu continues:

If a critical mass of restaurant owners also believe this program is unworkable as proposed, I am prepared to rescind North End outdoor dining before the start of the season."

North End restaurants screwed by the pandemic finally see a end to thei financial r suffering and Mayor Wu tosses sand in the oil of the engine that will free them of back breaking debt
The Mayor does what all Progressives do.....crush innovation with heavy taxation.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by id77

Good question. Per https://boston.eater.com/2022/3/24/2...s-restrictions, looks like the fees will go toward trash cleanup, rodent control, and traffic jams (whatever that means).

The only rational reason I can think of with the North End is that there's already very limited parking and with the restaurant density there it would be a significant reduction in resident parking. At least with the Back Bay and South End, the lost parking was overwhelmingly 2 hour/metered, so the net impact to residents was small.

Interesting point in one of the articles where a restaurant says their patio area is very small so the $7,500 fee is disproportionately more expensive compared to larger restaurants with larger outdoor spaces.