Which Restaurants Received Sidewalk Cafe Licenses?

Five downtown restaurants received City Council approval Monday night for sidewalk cafe licenses.

Surf Restaurant, Ri Ra, State Street Saloon, The District and Popovers on the Square all had their applications approved, meaning they will be allowed to offer outdoor dining with alcohol service. Those were the only five restaurants to apply for the six licenses made available as part of the city's program.

“Our citizens like this,” Councilor Chris Dwyer said. “I feel we’re doing something the citizens like. Our citizens like to be able to sit at tables and order food.”

Surf, Popovers and The District were all approved unanimously, by 9-0 votes. Both Ri Ra and State Street Saloon passed 8-1.

Councilor Esther Kennedy voted against the Ri Ra proposal due to concerns that the outdoor seating would be just six feet away from a public bench on the sidewalk.

“I was a little confused or uncomfortable with it being so close to the bench,” Kennedy said. “A lot of people sit out on that bench out there in front… A lot of people enjoy it, a lot of people congregate in that area.”

Councilor Anthony Coviello opposed the State Street Saloon application, saying he didn't think it left enough room on the sidewalk for pedestrians.

“I’ve walked this area several times,” he said. “I know they meet the minimum five foot criteria. I just think this area is not fitting for it. It narrows the sidewalk too much. It’s just a little too tight for me.”

Councilor Jack Thorsen agreed with Coviello’s concerns, but said State Street Saloon met the guidelines set by the council, so he would support the application.

City Manager John Bohenko previously explained that there is no limit to the number of restaurants that can submit written applications by the May 1 deadline, but the policy stipulates the City Council will grant just six outdoor dining with alcohol service licenses per year.

The policy mirrors the policy created under the pilot program the city launched in 2011 that allowed Popovers on the Square and The District to provide gated sidewalk cafes with alcohol service.

The policy grants licenses on an annual basis for a six-month period from mid-April through mid-October. The city will charge businesses a $10 per square foot fee for the area used for outdoor dining and the minimum fee would be $2,000, even if the size of the area is less than 200 square feet.

In Market Square, the policy states the minimum width for the pedestrian way adjacent to the area shall be 10- to 12- feet depending on the site conditions. In all other areas where sidewalk cafes are allowed, the minimum width for pedestrian ways adjacent to the area shall be a minimum of 5 feet and meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. The policy also calls for no smoking and no outdoor music.

Bohenko said all of the sidewalk cafe licenses were effective as of April, so they will take effect as soon as the agreements are signed and all of the insurance is in place so that the restaurants are in compliance with the agreements.

Following site visits by members of various city departments, the city's Legal Department drew up area service agreements for each of the five establishments. The following chart shows the layout of all five sidewalk cafes, including the service fee that will be paid to the city: