I am in favor of outdoor dining and have attended many of the Committee meetings. I believe there is an intrinsic benefit to the community to have outdoor dining options recognizing it is difficult to put a dollar value on this benefit. Yet, to incur $11 to $16 million of upfront costs to widen sidewalks, build decks, etc. for an annual hard dollar benefit to the City of only $0.5 million (dollar values from the Committee's work) for a recovery period of > 20 years is not sound fiscal management especially in light of other financial demands on the City and rising fees (parking meters, water, etc.) whether or not bonds are used to finance this investment.
I am in favor of outdoor dining and have attended many of the Committee meetings. I believe there is an intrinsic benefit to the community to have outdoor dining options recognizing it is difficult to put a dollar value on this benefit. Yet, to incur $11 to $16 million of upfront costs to widen sidewalks, build decks, etc. for an annual hard dollar benefit to the City of only $0.5 million (dollar values from the Committee's work) for a recovery period of > 20 years is not sound fiscal management especially in light of other financial demands on the City and rising fees (parking meters, water, etc.) whether or not bonds are used to finance this investment.