Re: [Mpls] Goodman/Schiff sidewalk cafe proposal

[Robert Copeland]

Let's stay focused on the Goodman/Schiff proposal, and not go off into a dreamland about closing the Nicollet Mall to motorized traffic.   We need to make recommendations to our council representatives that will help them in drafting their sidewalk cafe ordinance.  

I hope that they've heard the repeated theme of "not enough room for pedestrians" in all of this discussion.   When  it gets to the point where you can't even accommodate two people passing each other without walking into light poles (such as the 10th Street corner where The Local's sidewalk cafe has spilled dangerously close to the street), it is no longer a "pedestrian mall." 

Please, Lisa & Gary, make sure that there is clear language in your sidewalk cafe proposal that specifies a minimum walking space between the sidewalk cafe and the street-furniture of planters, light poles and signs.   It's not enough to specify footage distance to the curb or the street, as so much of that space is not walkable and can be very dangerous.   As someone who lives downtown and walks the length of the Mall on a daily basis, I've got to say I'm beginning to resent the very sidewalk cafes that I enjoy sitting at.   They've been allowed to take too much of the public space to make a profit for themselves.   Anything less than a clear walking space of six feet is totally inadequate (and for a "pedestrian mall" you should make sure those pedestrians have a good and safe experience when visiting and shopping on the Nicollet Mall.   I expect that the volume of people using the Mall really requires a clear walking space at least 10 feet wide to accommodate two couples passing each other).   Should we have to settle for less in the public realm?   I say no.

Lisa Goodman has shown excellent leadership and judgement on many sticky issues facing the city.   I hope that she can make Nicollet a dynamic place which is safe and pleasant for all users and activities, not just the cafe crowd.

Bob Copeland
Loring Park