So Is Cafe Presse's New Sidewalk Deck Legal?

As has been reported elsewhere, and in this morning's Neighborhood News Roundup, Capitol Hill's Cafe Presse has a new sidewalk deck. While we applaud outdoor seating long and often, this deck takes a big bite of the available sidewalk. What with curb parking (and car doors opening suddenly) and Presse's curb signs, you now have to curve all the way to the curb and pass single file.

As we understand it, there's supposed to be five feet of space left. Is there? We can't help thinking tables on the sidewalk wouldn't take up so much room as the deck does.

Mayor Nickels has been pushing for more sidewalk cafés--he wants to streamline the permit process so it costs $1,700 (down from $3,000) and is granted within ten days (not months). That's smart, because ten days can be the length of a Seattle summer. However, the sidewalk space reserved for pedestrians would increase to six feet, so Presse might want to keep a Skilsaw handy.

If you go, make sure to present yourself inside first. If you see an empty table on the deck and, seeing no line inside, just seat yourself, the staff may studiously avoid seeing you. You'll chat for a few minutes and look around to no avail. Then a couple will stroll up and be seated with menus. They'll be about a foot-and-a-half away, but you won't be noticed. So you'll sit there a little longer. Someone will come out to clear a vacated table next to you. Even though you try to make eye contact, they won't have any idea you're there. Finally, you'll get the picture and go to Cha Cha for drinks.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By MvB in Food on August 4, 2008 9:55 AM

Comments [rss]

ky

Complained to Seattle City about the Cafe Presse deck (and apparently they have received many) and they suggest more people needs to complain to Seattle Dept of Transport(Sidewalk useage). DOT enforce the sidewalk usage laws. The distance between the deck and the tree (you can see in the photo)is less than 5ft (about2-3ft) which make it hard for wheelchairs to get pass.

admiralzing

I thought Juggalo was the name for fans of the Insane Clown Posse. I've known a couple in my time and they seemed like okay people outside of their poor taste in music, odd fashion sense and propensity to promote Faygo.

Troy Morris

Minneapolis does as well. As does Denver and San Fransisco.

Usually when you don't see fences, it's in Europe where there are a great deal more plazas.

bigyaz

"...no other major city has the fences."

New York City does.

ruffhauser

I don't know if I've ever been hassled by a juggalo, and if I was, I don't know if was was an unpleasant experience.

Troy Morris

Yeah, but are juggalos bothering you? I think not!

ruffhauser

Oh, an iron railing is supposed to keep me from being harassed by bums?

If so, that's not really working out so well.

jessejb

^hahaha

I kinda like the barriers actually. Otherwise youd be having gutter punks and juggalos asking you for your beer like every 2 minutes.

Audrey

Fencing off drinkers is to protect children from coming in indirect contact with someone who just might be consuming an alcoholic beverage. WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN?

MvB

Jesse, yeah, Von's makes it tight. It's equally tight if you're eating outside, not just walking by. The waiters have to squeeze by the tables sideways.

@seatown22: that's very true. Fencing drinking diners off from the public is headscratchingly stupid. I've never understood what's being accomplished there.

seatown22

The problem isn't the tables- it is the fences that the city makes the businesses put up! This is ridiculous, no other major city has the fences. Apparently it has to do with liquor laws or something.... I'm moving to Portland with everyone else.

Troy Morris

Hahaha. Nice categorization.

jessejb

I dont mind a narrow sidewalk but the worst sidewalk bottleneck by far is on Pine Street at that expense account joint Von's.

Troy Morris

Trying to walk 5th Ave in Belltown is a pain in the rear too. Small sidewalks are the issue. To get more sidewalk cafe's, you need more sidewalk. More sidewalk is granted by less lanes. Less lanes makes Eyman and Rossi angry.