DVI to host public meeting to discuss parklets downtown
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/Parklets/i-6Q8KRph/0/L/PK9-L.jpg)
This week, a sample parklet and public meeting will be set and held at Zodiac Grill to highlight plans for a future downtown parklet program. Here's a look at the details!
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-may-dvi-to-host-public-meeting-to-discuss-parklets-downtown
Maybe I missed it as I read, but are parklets temporary or permanent? I love the idea of replacing a parking space or two with a unique outdoor seating structure. Adams street is a perfect example of a street where these could be a positive addition. When FSCJ opens their downtown dormitory with fast casual at the street level, the front of their building would be another great location for a parklet.
They would be permanent (meaning they could stay) but structurally they would be designed to be easily removed, if necessary.
This is a joke, right? April Fools in May? Otherwise I think the final shred of common sense prevailing in the Urban Core has gone with the wind. The lack of relevant parking spaces, meaning those that anybody actually wants to occupy, is already a huge challenge for local businesses, and now DVI is proposing that some of those prime spots become "parklets"? For what purpose? For the masochistic masses to melt into the asphalt during our hellish nine-month summers? I don't get it. Can somebody please explain?
Quote from: ssky on May 30, 2016, 06:34:23 PM
Can somebody please explain?
I'd be glad to offer an explanation, but I'd also consider it a waste of time since your leading issue is, "The lack of relevant parking spaces, meaning those that anybody actually wants to occupy, is already a huge challenge for local businesses..."
The objective I presume is to create a more interesting and attractive sidewalk ambience ... an area more functional and attractive to the restaurant customer, the future shopper, and the casual visitor. This makes good sense, but the relatively narrow streets make it difficult.
The ideal ... a fantasy ... would be to have twice as much space between the buildings along a street so that there would be enough space for two lanes of vehicle traffic, parking, pedestrian sidewalk traffic, many more trees for shade, and some landscaping, and a generous area for people to enjoy outside tables. The parklets is an attempt to squeeze this kind of environment into an area fundamentally too small because of the narrow streets.
Actually, ssky makes a good point about the sidewalk heat, which gets unbearable on many hot days along Laura, especially on the east side of the street in the afternoon. Of course, much of the year, the heat is not oppressive. Abundant trees would do wonders .... If there was enough room for them.
The good thing about Adams, along the sidewalk in front of the Zodiac, the sun is blocked much of the year by the buildings.
The solution would be to move each of the buildings about 20 feet back from the street. Impossible ... so onward to a possible. In order to create space for the desired ambiance, we might look at closing the "core" area of certain streets, and rerouting to two selected main arteries for each direction ... east, west, north, and south.
Too radical? A related option would be to maintain the streets, but to select some to make each only one lane ... one-way of course ... forcing through traffic to other streets. Adams would become one lane for westbound moving traffic, would maintain the same parking arrangement, and thereby offer much more space for trees, landscaping, and outside tables ... all positive attributes for the pedestrian, the shopper, the diner, and the casual visitor.
This kind of solution would be more realistic if and when an effective mass transit system is in place ... thereby removing the pressure for accommodating the daily mass of automobiles. In any case, it would be a much better solution than moving all buildings 20 feet back from the streets.
Jacksonville would not be the first Florida city to allow parklets. Miami and Fort Lauderdale also have implemented parklet programs in recent years. I don't see our weather being radically different. If outdoor spaces can work at SJTC and other locations in Jax, why not downtown?
Quote from: ssky on May 30, 2016, 06:34:23 PM
This is a joke, right? April Fools in May? Otherwise I think the final shred of common sense prevailing in the Urban Core has gone with the wind. The lack of relevant parking spaces, meaning those that anybody actually wants to occupy, is already a huge challenge for local businesses, and now DVI is proposing that some of those prime spots become "parklets"? For what purpose? For the masochistic masses to melt into the asphalt during our hellish nine-month summers? I don't get it. Can somebody please explain?
Downtown doesn't have a parking problem. I'm down here daily and I've never had problems finding a space. Some of our sidewalks are too narrow for outdoor dining. Parklets are a solution to that. They also are proven traffic calming solutions. People tend to drive slower when there's more pedestrian activity within a compact location.
(https://laecovillage.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/mojo-parklet-1693.jpg)
Quote from lakelander
"Downtown doesn't have a parking problem. I'm down here daily and I've never had problems finding a space. Some of our sidewalks are too narrow for outdoor dining. Parklets are a solution to that. They also are proven traffic calming solutions. People tend to drive slower when there's more pedestrian activity within a compact location."
Lake ... you are assuming that enough people will begin to use the "off street" parking ... which might be feasible. It will involve a change in habits. Many people are used to looking for easy street parking, as apposed to the multi-level parking garage.
Businesses such as mine would have to weigh the advantages of having an improved ambience out front, and having fewer street parking spaces for customers. Many of these street spaces are abused in any case ... the same people parking every day in front for several hours, when they should use the garages. Actually, I would support the parklets idea. I think that people will get used to parking in the various garages. And if the parklets are to come, our employees would have to encourage customers who call in ... to use the garages instead of searching for the increasingly scarce street parking.
^ Its not like there will be 100 parklets in downtown taking up 200 parking spaces. Wee're likely talking about losing fewer than 20 parking spaces.
Tufsu1 makes a great point. It's not like 100s of spaces will disappear. Jax will be lucky if it find opportunities for 20 feasible parklets. Feel free to come out to the meeting on Thursday to learn more!
Unfortunately, we have not yet fixed the underlying problems that continue to plague our beloved downtown, including parking and safety. Until that happens, nothing is going to work. These great ideas that are so cool in cities like New York and San Francisco work there because they embellish an already firm foundation. Decorating is the fun part. But we keep trying to hang paintings in a house of cards. It doesn't work. It can't work until we get our hands dirty and fix our foundation. Festivals, One Sparks, Parks, and now Parklets, are all the pretty things we can play with once the ugly, tough stuff is done. I would love to be there on Thursday if I can find a good parking spot, for while I do live downtown, I cannot walk to the meeting in the heat (see my original post). ;)
Hmmm, since when did downtown Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach or Covington, KY become cool? These places aren't exactly known for their urban vibrancy. Keep in mind, the meeting is in the evening. There's at least three garages that are roughly one block away. That's significantly less of a walk than you'll invest in finding a parking space at SJTC, Avenues or your typical Walmart. The top of two of them, which I can see from my office window, are never full.
If you don't like the idea of people hanging out on the street, at the expense of an isolated parking space, that's one thing. However, claiming downtown doesn't have enough parking spaces is just wrong.
^ why bother lake....this person clearly has no interest in coming to the meeting. If they actually came downtown, they would almost certainly find on-street parking within 1 block of the meeting location.
Yeah, with enough parklets you could start to see a big bang for your buck downtown. I am so excited for this!
QuoteI cannot walk to the meeting in the heat (see my original post). ;)
Use Uber, bring back the Potato Truck Sunflower line, there are options, other than complaining about the heat and what you cannot do.
Use the Parklets around 5-points. Derby has no problem putting up seats and tables at their end of the round-a-bout, now turn some parking spaces into more outside seating. Do it with all of 5-points, remove the parking and force people to use the RA Trolley or other means.I'd love the day when there is no more parking along Park Street in 5-points or for that matter in Avondale. The entire south wall of St. Johns Ave could turn into Parklets, geez, think of it, the Fox had REAL outside seating! Dang!
Bumping this up for today
Looking forward to attending, parklets could be very cool in DTJax (dinner & drinks at Zodiac ain't bad either).
I might not be able to attend at six. Expecting this, I just want to convey that I cannot imagine a persuasive negative or opposition to the idea of having occasional parklets in the core. They will add color, art, life ... certainly a positive to the core.
I can't make it tonight, but I think it's an idea worth discussion. I do think that in an environment like Jacksonville, it's likely in practice going to be pretty temporary. I'm not sitting outside in 100 degree heat to eat dinner.
I do think one of the requirements of this should be a place that has more than just lunch hours. If every place that was open from 10-2 had a parklet, then everyone would. On the other hand, a place that is open Wed-Sat for dinner.....I think that would be cool.
Quote from: ronchamblin on May 30, 2016, 10:18:32 PM
Quote from lakelander
"Downtown doesn't have a parking problem. I'm down here daily and I've never had problems finding a space. Some of our sidewalks are too narrow for outdoor dining. Parklets are a solution to that. They also are proven traffic calming solutions. People tend to drive slower when there's more pedestrian activity within a compact location."
Lake ... you are assuming that enough people will begin to use the "off street" parking ... which might be feasible. It will involve a change in habits. Many people are used to looking for easy street parking, as apposed to the multi-level parking garage.
Businesses such as mine would have to weigh the advantages of having an improved ambience out front, and having fewer street parking spaces for customers. Many of these street spaces are abused in any case ... the same people parking every day in front for several hours, when they should use the garages. Actually, I would support the parklets idea. I think that people will get used to parking in the various garages. And if the parklets are to come, our employees would have to encourage customers who call in ... to use the garages instead of searching for the increasingly scarce street parking.
There is plenty of parking available in conjunction with the Skyway. No need to park in the core when a quick couple minute "free" Skyway ride will take you right into the business district. I use it everyday.
Looking forward to heading to the DVI parklet meeting and stopping by Hemming Park for the Prince tribute concert. We're supposed to have storms from Saturday until Tuesday, so its a good night to get out of the house.
We have a temporary 'parklet' setup right now outside Zodiac. Looking forward to putting some faces to some usernames tonight. Takes 5 minutes of your time, your input is needed and Zodiac has cold beer and a full bar.
Great turnout tonight!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-Pkz3MrG/0/L/20160602_192652-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-JdWPFWb/0/L/20160602_180554-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-pvZfPXw/0/L/20160602_183718-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-LjMHWZs/0/L/20160602_180739-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-TT9HG39/0/L/20160602_180633-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-xspbWpL/0/L/20160602_181421-L.jpg)
QuoteI'm not sitting outside in 100 degree heat to eat dinner.
Why not? Where is the fun in dining during the summer if you cannot watch the sweat drip down your face?
Btw, the group of 4 in this photo were randomly walking down the street, saw the parklet, sat it in it and grabbed someone from Zodiac to serve them. They ate dinner right there in that parklet....hot day and all...
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-PnfQvXp/0/L/20160602_192730-L.jpg)
Also, here's a link to a parklet survey for those who are interested in exploring the idea of bringing parklets to downtown before the end of the year:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form
Jerry is a great host. My first thought looking at the pictures... not sure I want to be sitting out on Adams St. The planter is not much of a barrier to the inattentive, speeding, texting driver. How is this issue addressed?
^That's a temporary "no frills" parklet that was set up just for last night's meeting. Sort of what was put up on Parking Day back in 2012. It's not really representative of what will come with the parklet program. Give me a minute. I'll upload the latest concept renderings, illustrating what a parklet could look like, from yesterday's FPZA presentation.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-WzdCv8J/0/L/Jacksonville%20Parklet%20Rendering-L.jpg)
The above image shows the presence of several safety elements that are compliant with NACTO standards including bollards that are visible to drivers, wheel stops, guardrails/railings, a platform that brings the parklet flush with the sidewalk (meeting ADA requirements) and a 12" tall concrete stopwall.
The temporary, makeshift 'parklet' demonstration setup yesterday obviously did not have any of these safety measures... however what was striking to me while sitting out there most of the day were the amount of people that stopped to say 'wow, never realized there was a restaurant here' and the three separate groups of people that were walking down the sidewalk and decided to stop and have a meal because the outdoor seating area drew them in. As mentioned here: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-apr-parklets-of-san-francisco/page/2 (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-apr-parklets-of-san-francisco/page/2), numerous studies have been conducted in other cities that prove that increasing the supply of good public places (outdoor cafes, etc) induces demand.
Forget about The Loop (not in the same scale as downtown Jax) and Lakeview (a much more dense version of Riverside/Avondale)... but neighborhoods like Andersonville and Bronzeville would compare favorably with many of the 'dense' neighborhoods in Jacksonville. As this graphic shows, 34% of the users of Chicago parklets made unplanned food or beverage purchases and 73% of users surveyed indicated that if not for the parklet they would instead be at home.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/Parklets/i-q4gt4sP/0/XL/Screen%20shot%202015-04-26%20at%201.18.16%20PM-XL.png)
*As a side note, around lunchtime a gentleman in a suit stopped in the parklet to call a perspective employee and offered them a job. Not going to say that the parklet created jobs yesterday.... but I'm also not going to say that the parklet didn't create jobs yesterday :)
Thanks for the additional info guys... How easy are these "temporary" spaces to move... or set up and take down?
Pretty easy. Here's one I saw in Seattle last year..
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Learning-From/Seattle/i-9cmJL35/0/L/DSCF5978-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Learning-From/Seattle/i-7mHgfSB/0/L/DSCF5979-L.jpg)
The plan is to have a standard base and a look book of design elements that can be mixed and matched on top of the base that has been vetted and pre-approved by the City of Jacksonville, so that a parklet sponsor has a well-defined path to take that doesn't necessarily require them to jump through a lot of hoops or have to hire an architect. The sponsor does not have to adhere to that template if they chose to go a different route, and there is a potential applicant that is exploring a really nice and forward thinking design put together by a good, local architectural firm.
But to answer your question, the parklet sponsor will need a Revocable Right of Way permit (the same kind of permit if you wanted to say put a fence on your property and that fence crosses over an easement that say JEA may have for a buried utility line). That RROW permit requires a bond (for a small fee, around $200) in case the City needs to have the structure removed for any reason.
If you take a look at the top right and bottom right pictures on the image below, you'll see that the base we are exploring will be made of concrete. A material will be placed on top of the asphalt (meaning there is a protective layer so that the concrete would not actually be affixed to the asphalt) and then you would build out your form and pour the concrete. The little white spaces are foam cores, so if the parklet needs to removed, you would be able to lift the base up via these foam cores and remove the structure intact. This kind of base was preferred for two reasons 1) it costs quite a bit less than a pressure-treated lumber base and 2) it would be easier to remove, if necessary.
*I'm not an architect, so my technical explanation of this may leave a little to be desired. Content Architecture and Design has put extensive work into this portion of the plan and can probably explain it better.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-WzdCv8J/0/L/Jacksonville%20Parklet%20Rendering-L.jpg)
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 02, 2016, 11:51:38 PM
QuoteI'm not sitting outside in 100 degree heat to eat dinner.
Why not? Where is the fun in dining during the summer if you cannot watch the sweat drip down your face?
Ha, I love it. Brick and mortar restaurants complained that food trucks were unfair competition even though people had to eat outside. Now people are saying that no one would eat outside in the heat. We want rooftop bars and dining, but no one would sit outside in the heat, right?
thanks for the survey link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form
Quote from: jaxlore on June 03, 2016, 09:36:05 AM
thanks for the survey link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form
Thanks for providing your input!
The parklet last night didn't feel substantially less safe than typical sidewalk seating at other restaurants. It's a nice addition in a place like Zodiac where the sidewalk is too narrow to for businesses to use. The "being outside" part isn't any different one to the other, so if it's working in the various places that have outdoor seating, it should work with parklets.
Whats funny is I saw the setup last night and totally missed this thread and was like damn zodiac grill is getting ahead of the game!
Quote from: Bridges on June 03, 2016, 09:27:42 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 02, 2016, 11:51:38 PM
QuoteI'm not sitting outside in 100 degree heat to eat dinner.
Why not? Where is the fun in dining during the summer if you cannot watch the sweat drip down your face?
Ha, I love it. Brick and mortar restaurants complained that food trucks were unfair competition even though people had to eat outside. Now people are saying that no one would eat outside in the heat. We want rooftop bars and dining, but no one would sit outside in the heat, right?
I think we're going to far with my quote here. My point is that if my choice is to sit inside in 72 degrees or outside in 100 degree heat, I'm going to take 72 degrees. But, it's not 100 degrees all year.
Quote from: fieldafm on June 03, 2016, 08:56:42 AM
The plan is to have a standard base and a look book of design elements that can be mixed and matched on top of the base that has been vetted and pre-approved by the City of Jacksonville, so that a parklet sponsor has a well-defined path to take that doesn't necessarily require them to jump through a lot of hoops or have to hire an architect. The sponsor does not have to adhere to that template if they chose to go a different route, and there is a potential applicant that is exploring a really nice and forward thinking design put together by a good, local architectural firm.
But to answer your question, the parklet sponsor will need a Revocable Right of Way permit (the same kind of permit if you wanted to say put a fence on your property and that fence crosses over an easement that say JEA may have for a buried utility line). That RROW permit requires a bond (for a small fee, around $200) in case the City needs to have the structure removed for any reason.
If you take a look at the top right and bottom right pictures on the image below, you'll see that the base we are exploring will be made of concrete. A material will be placed on top of the asphalt (meaning there is a protective layer so that the concrete would not actually be affixed to the asphalt) and then you would build out your form and pour the concrete. The little white spaces are foam cores, so if the parklet needs to removed, you would be able to lift the base up via these foam cores and remove the structure intact. This kind of base was preferred for two reasons 1) it costs quite a bit less than a pressure-treated lumber base and 2) it would be easier to remove, if necessary.
*I'm not an architect, so my technical explanation of this may leave a little to be desired. Content Architecture and Design has put extensive work into this portion of the plan and can probably explain it better.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/TransformJax-Parklets/i-WzdCv8J/0/L/Jacksonville%20Parklet%20Rendering-L.jpg)
Awesome info Thanks! Another question... Do to the prefab, and size, and weight, I assume a forklift or heavy equipment is required to place and remove? I also assume these are likely to stay more than just Artwalk or a weekend... they are semi permanent?
I don't know the details on how COJ would physically remove them but there is a feasible way for doing so. Yes, they are intended to be semi permanent. A business owner could be spending +$10k to construct one. If someone is dropping that kind of money, it can't be something that's only in place for a few hours or a weekend.
Looks like a great event last night. I wish I could have attended. Sidewalk seating is a great way to let people know that you're a restaurant and that you're open. Half the delis and restaurants downtown are easily skipped over if you don't know what's there.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 03, 2016, 12:13:50 PM
Looks like a great event last night. I wish I could have attended. Sidewalk seating is a great way to let people know that you're a restaurant and that you're open. Half the delis and restaurants downtown are easily skipped over if you don't know what's there.
Yeah, Zodiac is definitely one of those places. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even remember it was there, and I've been there before.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 03, 2016, 12:14:49 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 03, 2016, 12:13:50 PM
Looks like a great event last night. I wish I could have attended. Sidewalk seating is a great way to let people know that you're a restaurant and that you're open. Half the delis and restaurants downtown are easily skipped over if you don't know what's there.
Yeah, Zodiac is definitely one of those places. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even remember it was there, and I've been there before.
The owner Jerry and his wife are great people...
Regarding the elements...isn't it feasible to utilize moveable fans for summer and heaters for winter? They are commonly used at other outdoor dining/drinking spaces in Florida....
I believe Chicago removes their parklets in the wintertime...I guess that is always a worst case scenario option if there is light usage in the summer.
Article in today's Daily Record: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547693 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547693)
I think these are a great idea. As someone who is learning what is available downtown, it is difficult to know what is open or type of establishment available when making my way downtown. It would certainly seem to show an availability and openness to people who don't get downtown often.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 03, 2016, 12:13:50 PM
Looks like a great event last night. I wish I could have attended. Sidewalk seating is a great way to let people know that you're a restaurant and that you're open. Half the delis and restaurants downtown are easily skipped over if you don't know what's there.
Lucky for a jet setter such as yourself, you can fill out a survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form)
Quote from: Gambit80 on June 03, 2016, 02:07:20 PM
I think these are a great idea. As someone who is learning what is available downtown, it is difficult to know what is open or type of establishment available when making my way downtown. It would certainly seem to show an availability and openness to people who don't get downtown often.
I agree!
Feel free to provide your thoughts on this brief survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KeyXVsNRvvzCdjL22lirtJqlXOgo6A69ftxmdL0VKMQ/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=send_form)
Quote from the article:
QuoteEwais said he thinks businesses' alcohol sales permits may prohibit people from walking across the sidewalk with a beer or cocktail.
This needs to be handled - the parklet should apply to any cafe license that a business has.
Quote from: jlmann on June 03, 2016, 02:35:46 PM
Nice idea and I'm not being negative to be negative but this is the sort of stuff that brings to mind an old metaphor for a fools errand that's too little, too late:
"rearranging the deck chairs on the Titantic"
DVI should put together a program for citizens to annoy council and leaders incessantly until they do something, anything, meaningful. like maybe a form email and instructions on how to automatically send it twice daily to these jokers, etc. The only thing that may get through these thick skulls is making their jobs difficult in the hope they cave and actually do their jobs.
Sorry to say but all those fresh young faces in the pics will sit in a parklet a couple of times, the chairs will disintegrate in the fl elements and a year or 2 from now we'll be right here in the same spot
The chairs are pretty much the same as the ones featured in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars all throughout the city and the rest of the south. Even in downtown, the outdoor seating areas stay pretty full at the few places that offer them, like Hooters. The outdoor areas of the new restaurants in Brooklyn tend to be popular too, despite facing a six lane highway. My guess is that they'll hold up just fine, like the rest of them.
Quote from: Steve on June 03, 2016, 03:36:50 PM
Quote from the article:
QuoteEwais said he thinks businesses' alcohol sales permits may prohibit people from walking across the sidewalk with a beer or cocktail.
This needs to be handled - the parklet should apply to any cafe license that a business has.
This is a Jacksonville problem and something that definitely needs to be addressed. It seems that officials in other parts of the state don't interpret the rule the same way. It is a major impact on the lack of street level vibrancy in a place like downtown.
Winter Park
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Learning-From/Winter-Park-February-2010/i-cKgdzpD/0/L/P1440724-L.jpg)
St. Petersburg
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Learning-From/St-Petersburg-2012/i-p4ZN4rn/0/L/P1600882-L.jpg)
South Beach
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Learning-From/Miami-Beach-2013/i-P9TQ3pT/0/L/DSCF0776-L.jpg)
Quote from: jlmann on June 04, 2016, 01:59:10 PM
QuoteThe chairs are pretty much the same as the ones featured in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars all throughout the city and the rest of the south. Even in downtown, the outdoor seating areas stay pretty full at the few places that offer them, like Hooters. The outdoor areas of the new restaurants in Brooklyn tend to be popular too, despite facing a six lane highway. My guess is that they'll hold up just fine, like the rest of them.
Ok maybe the chairs last. Look I love the idea. Point is there aren't a bunch of people wandering around downtown thinking, where are the restaurants? I get it people like outdoor seating, but they have to want to come downtown first or be living there. So the businesses with these do more business on art walk type nights. Ok great better than nothing but its just a distraction from the fact that no one lives there and no one is going to go downtown if they hadn't already planned to because of a couple already existing restaurants now have a parklet
Also, lol hooters. Now get some DVI sponsored scantily clad women hanging around dt restaurants? That might actually work.
I hear you what you're saying. However, the lack of residents is a big, complicated problem that will take time, energy and leadership to improve. Parklets are low-hanging fruit. They're a relatively easy, inexpensive way to make things better for businesses in the current environment, let alone as the environment incrementally improves. The fact that there are big problems is no reason not to go after low-hanging fruit. Honestly, one of our biggest holdups in downtown development is that we we don't take care of the small stuff, often because we're focusing on bigger things that don't come together.
Here are some parklets that I saw in Lisbon a few weeks ago.
(http://i.imgur.com/nwro2Ac.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S0k2sRv.jpg)
Quote from: JaxAvondale on March 08, 2017, 10:46:23 PM
Here are some parklets that I saw in Lisbon a few weeks ago.
(http://i.imgur.com/nwro2Ac.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S0k2sRv.jpg)
Are those parklets or outdoor eating sections for restaurants (and is there any difference)?
No difference. They are parklets (nice ones btw). Parklets can be used as outdoor seating areas for restaurants.