Beer and Fun and Friends on the sidewalk.

[Jim DeVito]

Just read Mark’s article. Sound like a wonderful idea.

I purpose we set aside 2 weeks a year, One for Madison and one for Detroit.

For one week a year we could close the entire street to motor traffic (baring residential and emergency of course) and set up street side patios in front of all the local bars. The city could rent all the tables and chairs for a moderate price. The bars could pitch in 50 bucks a piece to help negate the cost. It would be almost foreshadowing for the pedestrian friendly sidewalk café’s I believe are entirely possible in Lakewood.

Any thoughts?

[sharon kinsella]

More drunks making noise on the West End?

No thank you.

[Jim DeVito]

Ohh Just thought of another idea. Since there are alot of bars that do not sell food we could have the local restaurants come and show off their cooking skills and menu by feeding all the people that would show up for a ... (insert name here)

Sharon,

This is just an idea. An idea to grow. Of course you views as a "person who live close to there" will be taken into consideration.

Take Care All!!

[Brian Pedaci]

If I know my friends, after that much beer and fun they would be on the sidewalk. Face down.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I think it's a neat idea, but I'm not sure how feasible. Aren't both of those technically state routes? I'm not sure they'd let us shut them down for an entire week, but maybe for part of a day here and there? Like maybe one evening a week for a month?

[Corey Rossen]

Liquor permits for such events are tricky. I'm sure if Mary Ann Crampton tried, she would succeed in getting one--that lady kicks butt!!

Corey

[Bill Call]

I once suggested to Nate Kelly that the City create a Madison Avenue Cafe District that would extend from Angelo's to the Waterbury Coach House.

An outdoor eating area could be created by eliminating one lane of traffic on each side. Special permits would be required to use the enlarged area. The permit applicant would have to prove that at least 40% of the gross revenue of the establishment came from food.

I thought a permit fee of $500 per year could be used for some additional landscaping.

The patios would increase the foot traffic in the entire area. That increased foot traffic would create a more vibrant feel, attract other eateries to the area and generally make the area look more lively.

For a very small investment the City could set the stage. I don't expect it to happen.

[Danielle Masters]

This reminds me of the Oktoberfest celebration my mom would always take us to while I was growing up in California, it was in a city called La Mesa. It was held at night and while there was beer, there was also food, music and crafts. It was a fun event that I fondly remember.

[dl meckes]

La Mesa is a very interesting city.

Hope Rhonda Loje clicks on the following link http://www.lmvma.com/

http://www.lmvma.com/lmv_oktoberfest.html - for the Octoberfest

Check out their seasonal events!

[Danielle Masters]

Thanks for the links dl. Stuff like that makes me a bit homesick, but then I remember that I love my little city of Lakewood.

[dl meckes]

We can always work towards bringing some of the things you liked about those festivals in La Mesa to Lakewood.

Thanks for mentioning the town - they're doing some really fun stuff.