how is this even being considered? the place is a shit show as it is and you want to allow it all to overflow to the outdoors, all while privatizing a public street? makes no sense. 

I don’t see what’s so terrible about this.  Not that I frequent Finnigans, (I admittedly have been there once, vowing never to return) but it seems like a harmless change.  Dare I say, it looks to be an improvement over a street that was more likely than not often used for a toilet?

it’s finnegan’s fault the street is a cesspool, and because they have friends in high places, have never had to follow the rules despite numerous official complaints. and now they are being rewarded for their bad behavior.

the NLNA is going to get hosed on this. they think they can control finnegan’s behavior… they are hoping for the best despite constant evidence to the contrary. 

the only way this is going to [marginally] benefit the neighborhood is if the design is changed to prevent finnegan’s patrons from accessing the walkway from the outdoor seating, and if finnegan’s moves the dumpster closer to their service door.

I don’t get this.  Did Finnigans purchase the street from the city?  How is this legally structured?

In Chinatown I think at 11th and Spring about two years ago a business there expanded half way in to the alley way. They built and ugly cinder block addition. So the city seems to be ok with business taking over the streets.  I walk by Finnigans Wake everyday and that section of Bodine Street is gross anyway. It is unclear if the bar is paying for the road, but I hope that the are. 

For small streets/alleys such as this, if the property owners on both sides of the street agree, the street can be struck via ordinance.  If the owners of the bar also own the property on the other side, it just requires sign-off by Streets and then the ordinance.  The Planning approval seems to clear the way for this.

The other option is that the street is not actually being removed from the City Plan, but simply closed to vehicular traffic.  The City typically also maintains an easement for Utility and water/sewer rights-of-way, even if the street is actually struck.  All the details will be in the text of the ordinance.

Considering that the value of a typical vacant lot in Northern Liberties is, what, $100,000 to $150,000, it’s a huge taxpayer giveaway if they are given a street at no cost.

This is awesome!  Now people dont have to walk outside to piss!  they can piss outside while sitting at their table!  awesome!  where do I sign up?

knock this down and piazaa at gunshots!

This is a very sensistive issue for folks who live in Northern LIberties due to the nuisance and lack of cleanliness of Finnegans Wake over the years, not to mention that they have kept an illegal dumpster on Bodine St for years and refused to move it.  Being that the owner of Finnegans wake is on the Democratic Committee and is very good friends with Bob Brady where next door is the new Democratic Building, they of course collaborated to come up with this plan.  If any other building was next door, this would have never been an option.

It is hard to imagine balconies on either the Bodine side or the Spring Garden side, so at least that option is doubtful, so the expansion on Bodine is the best compromise.  The goal will be to make that “street” appealing from a cosmetic standpoint.  Time will tell how this will play out. 

You know a true conservative would also be against government handouts of public property to businesses right?

Actually you might be what’s wrong with…………. well,  the world. Don’t spread h8. Loser

Although Finnigans may be a shit show, if they are liable for the cost of the expansion/street and redo a rundown street that’s mostly used to urinate, then I think it’s a no brainer. Are there residents close to the bar? If residents aren’t going to be bothered, then what’s the big deal? More bars should do this to add outdoor space and clean up some of the shitty philly streets.

there are multiple residents on green st, and there are several new townhomes under construction just down between bodine and american (and more on the way between 3rd and bodine).

residents are bothered much further into the neighborhood finnegan’s patrons leave the bar and go back to their cars, btw.