Towered
Superstar
CafeTO is back!Let’s get back to discussing the waning days of John Tory’s Toronto, shall we?
CafeTO is back!Let’s get back to discussing the waning days of John Tory’s Toronto, shall we?
We are slowly but surely killing the CaféTO patio program. Shame on us
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/sta...ling-the-cafto-patio-program-shame-on-us.html
I reached out to one of my favourite local bars to ask if they would have a CafeTO street patio again this summer (they did the past 2 years) and they responded saying unfortunately not, with the reason being that "the city isn't serious about supporting small local businesses" - I'm guessing the costs are prohibitive now?Yup.
Keenan's right.
To be clear, the program isn't literally being killed, but the fees, process and delays are too much and the number of patios will be well off this year, probably by 1/2.
Some fee is fair for using the public right-of-way, to make money.
Though the fee is likely a bit too high, a bit too soon.
But the process needs to be simpler, easier and faster and staff need to be told to turn everything they've done on its head.
By which I mean, they've designed a process that fits their (staff/City) 's convenience and needs and not considered the outcome.
We will take applications when we're ready, we'll issue them when we've gotten to them etc etc.
Here's how you do it!
First ask, when do restaurants want to be able to put their patios out by? I'll go for May 1st. What do they need to do to make that happen? Well order the relevant furniture and barricades. How long does that take? Allow 4 weeks, so they have to have their permits in hand no later than March 31st, to have the set-up done by May 1st. Allow extra time for everyone involved. Permits should be in the hands of everyone who applied by February 28th for the coming year, now set the intake date for the applications and budget the required staff so you can hit that target.
I reached out to one of my favourite local bars to ask if they would have a CafeTO street patio again this summer (they did the past 2 years) and they responded saying unfortunately not, with the reason being that "the city isn't serious about supporting small local businesses" - I'm guessing the costs are prohibitive now?
It's like the ridiculous street food cart (a la cart program) during Miller's time.
AoD
This is what I don't understand, because it's not a moving target. Why is the city not capable of setting up the patios in early May in advance of this date??I think the May long weekend is sort of the unofficial kick-off of patio season, and it is offensive not to be in a position where places can open their patios by then. It's not that hard, and we've done it for three years now.
Not quite sure what this means but ...
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