Lack of Sidewalk Seating Throughout the City

[preserve]

I remember one time when the Book Cadillac had outdoor seating on Washington Blvd, and there was live music for the lunch crowd. When an elderly gentleman got up to use the facilities, a homeless person took his seat and finished his lunch while the lady sat there stunned. Finally she was able to find her voice and have the unwelcome guest removed, but, that was after he had finished the gentleman's lunch and beverage. It was funny at the time, but, that kind of thing was a deterent to outdoor seating.

[Flintoid]

I remember one time when the Book Cadillac had outdoor seating on Washington Blvd, and there was live music for the lunch crowd. When an elderly gentleman got up to use the facilities, a homeless person took his seat and finished his lunch while the lady sat there stunned. Finally she was able to find her voice and have the unwelcome guest removed, but, that was after he had finished the gentleman's lunch and beverage. It was funny at the time, but, that kind of thing was a deterent to outdoor seating.

See but I don't know why homeless people would kill off outdoor seating. Getting approached by a homeless person while sitting outside at a restaurant in a major city is pretty much par for the course, yet Detroit seems to have a unique lack of sidewalk seating. If we're serious about activating the sidewalk getting more active sidewalks at restaurants throughout the city can really add to the urban feel. Seems like a minor change that would make a noticeable difference in activity.