When Constraint Makes Opportunity
My friend just posted a picture of "Date night at the best Patio in town (Sweeney's)," which led to an online discussion of that patio's merits.
I've lived across from Sweeney's for 25 years, and yes, I love that patio too.
But it wasn't always so great. It used to be basically a gravel expanse out the back door that led to a kind of ratty parking lot. No one really wanted to be out there, but hey, it was a patio, and it was Minnesota in the summer, so....
The neighbors banded together to complain. It was way too loud, it was open until close, people drinking spilled out onto the sidewalk and into neighbors' yards. Bones form chicken wings littered the gravel (until the neighborhood wildlife came to scoop them up). Yes, we all were aware that we had purchased homes by a bar (though technically this homes all predate the bar...). But we also had likewise expected Sweeney's to follow basic liquor licensing regulations, including crowd and noise control. I still don't think it's too much to ask a business to follow its basic licensing restrictions.
The owner fought hard, but finally was forced to give in and enclose the space. And, I think, much to his surprise, people began to flock there specifically for the patio. Those people, coming for that outdoor space, in general spent more and treated the neighborhood better, a win-win for everyone. And so today, when a lot of its peers have closed (RIP, Muddy Pig), Sweeney's is still open, and appears to be doing good business.
I think there's a lot to be learned from this anecdote that applies to community planning in general. Too often, communities opposing something are told that their expectations are unrealistic, that what they want just can't be done (we were certainly told that!). Or city agencies are too reluctant to put on restrictions, or even hold places to current regulations. Residents are told they are "killing businesses" by asking for common courtesy. When really, a little creativity and give by all sides can lead to a patio that, two decades later, is still the "best patio in town."
So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab a beer...
I've lived across from Sweeney's for 25 years, and yes, I love that patio too.
But it wasn't always so great. It used to be basically a gravel expanse out the back door that led to a kind of ratty parking lot. No one really wanted to be out there, but hey, it was a patio, and it was Minnesota in the summer, so....
The neighbors banded together to complain. It was way too loud, it was open until close, people drinking spilled out onto the sidewalk and into neighbors' yards. Bones form chicken wings littered the gravel (until the neighborhood wildlife came to scoop them up). Yes, we all were aware that we had purchased homes by a bar (though technically this homes all predate the bar...). But we also had likewise expected Sweeney's to follow basic liquor licensing regulations, including crowd and noise control. I still don't think it's too much to ask a business to follow its basic licensing restrictions.
The owner fought hard, but finally was forced to give in and enclose the space. And, I think, much to his surprise, people began to flock there specifically for the patio. Those people, coming for that outdoor space, in general spent more and treated the neighborhood better, a win-win for everyone. And so today, when a lot of its peers have closed (RIP, Muddy Pig), Sweeney's is still open, and appears to be doing good business.
I think there's a lot to be learned from this anecdote that applies to community planning in general. Too often, communities opposing something are told that their expectations are unrealistic, that what they want just can't be done (we were certainly told that!). Or city agencies are too reluctant to put on restrictions, or even hold places to current regulations. Residents are told they are "killing businesses" by asking for common courtesy. When really, a little creativity and give by all sides can lead to a patio that, two decades later, is still the "best patio in town."
So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab a beer...
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