City of Ukiah maintenance workers are putting the finishing touches on a snazzy outdoor seating platform that has generated controversy about the use of city funds for a project that primarily benefits one business.
"I was concerned and remain concerned about entitlement or the perception of entitlement," said Ukiah City Councilman Doug Crane. He voted against spending city redevelopment funds to create an outside eating area near the Ukiah courthouse for Patrona, one of the city's higher-end restaurants.
The $14,000 steel, wood and simulated wood platform — built by city maintenance workers — is scheduled to be completed late next week. Meanwhile, a temporary, plywood platform surrounded by orange construction cones and potted trees sits on what was once two parking spaces. A third parking space is scheduled to be turned into a bicycle parking area.
A number of other city business owners have quietly grumbled that Patrona is being given preferential treatment, Crane said. They are unhappy about losing precious parking spaces.
But proponents, including four of the five council members, say that adding outdoor dining is a good use of redevelopment funds and will benefit all of downtown by attracting visitors.
"Sidewalk dining is one of the features that creates a sense of community in an area. It's part of a welcoming atmosphere," said Ukiah City Councilwoman Mary Ann Landis.
It's a temporary pilot project that allows Patrona to expand into the streets for about a year. If successful, city officials hope to create more outdoor seating areas.
"I'd like to do the same thing at some of the other businesses," said Ukiah Planning Director and Engineer Tim Eriksen, who spearheaded the project.
The idea was spawned by the Ukiah bicycling community, of which Eriksen is a member. It started with a proposal to use one space in front of Patrona for a bicycle "corral." That plan remains in place, but there currently is no designated bicycle parking near the restaurant. On Thursday, a bicycle was chained to a sign post.
Eriksen said he approached Patrona's owners to see how they felt about losing a parking space to bicycles. They said they'd like to see more space converted to other uses, and the outdoor dining platform proposal was born, said Eriksen. He is overseeing the project because it's in a city street.
The city is paying for the platform, but Patrona will provide the seating and maintain the area, he said. It's unclear whether use of the platform will be limited to Patrona patrons, Eriksen and Landis said.
Eriksen said the city saved money by having staff build the platform rather than buying a kit that would have cost about $30,000.
Other downtown business owners say the don't necessarily begrudge Patrona its new outdoor dining space, but they doubt it will benefit all downtown businesses.
"It would have been nice for them to do four or five all at once," said Zack Schat, owner of Schat's Courthouse Bakery and Cafe.
He said he would like to see a master plan for downtown that includes wider sidewalks and more outdoor seating.
"We need a dramatic, noticeable difference," Schat said, adding that many business owners, including himself, likely would be willing to pay for the spaces themselves.
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