Enjoying a cappuccino in an alley might become a reality
Posted March 19, 2010 2:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It could happen here. The City of Seattle is looking at allowing cafes to set up in urban alleys and folks we chatted with would like to see them too. A design competition in Seattle would see nice little bistros set up in an alley in Pioneer Square and there’s talk of expanding the idea throughout the city.
News1130 hit the streets to see what you thought and people we talked in Yaletown believe the alleys there and in Gastown would make a delightful place to gather over coffee, especially on a nice day. This woman agrees. “Yeah, absolutely, why not? Do you think it would make Vancouver a friendlier place? I would say so. It’s a pretty friendly city as it is but that would add to it, absolutely.”
People in Seattle say they love the idea and think it would make the city more vibrant, which would in turn attract more tourists, especially with summer on the horizon. In San Francisco, Maiden Lane off of Union Square allows delivery trucks in the morning but is packed with cafe’s during the day and evenings.
Charles Gauthier from the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association says the idea could work here. He points out though, the city would have to get rid of all the dumpsters that dominate our alleys. “A couple of individual businesses have gotten rid of their dumpsters and have replaced them with totes that are picked up when required.”
Gauthier adds alley way cafes would give the city a new source of revenue because businesses have to pay for city property they use, like sidewalks. He says getting rid of dumpsters could also allow parking in alleys the city could charge for.
Walt Judas with Tourism Vancouver says they would welcome the idea. “During the Games when Granville Street and Robson Street closed to vehicle traffic it created a terrific atmosphere that pedestrians enjoy. So, converting alley’s may have a similar impact.” Judas adds the downtown core could be suited to this if the right conditions are met.
