Asking for Alfresco

increasing the presence of sidewalk dining downtown

by: Cheri Dostal

MADISON

IOWA CITY

MADISON

    Outdoor dining can wake up our city streets. It presents an energy consistent with other urban renewal schemes, promising to draw locals and tourists alike to our downtown area. As spring is in full swing, we dream of spending more time outside, which could also mean spending more time and money downtown. So if we did, indeed, widen the sidewalks to make way for things like an increased retail presence, would local eateries expand to have meaningful outdoor seating on the sidewalk?

    “A little bustle is great for business,” says Sandy Hartmann, manager of Acoustic Café, adding that their outdoor seating since 2003 has provided just that.

    The city streamlined the permit process in 2005, making it relatively easy for our local businesses. Currently restaurant owners can submit a one-page application, proposed layout, and photo of their site, and pay an annual fee to get a thumbs up from public works. Approval takes two weeks or less for most applications.

    But widening the sidewalks is a whole new ball game, so to speak. It would mean more freedom for the places with barely enough space for a few tables (Acoustic, Haymarket) and those with private dining areas in the rear (Houligan’s, Porter’s, Livery) may want to rethink their focus toward the front. But with that freedom and space comes investment, from wrought iron tables with umbrellas and decor to half-walls and fences for open air enclosures or overhangs and lean-tos.

    We discussed this potential with several downtown eateries, and a few are legitimately committed to the idea, including Obsession Chocolates’ Barstow location, Harmony Corner Café, and Infinitea Teahouse, the latter of which’s co-owner, Jeff Mares, acknowledged that adding this kind of presence to the sidewalk “is a big opportunity to change the culture of downtown.”