With all of the talk about about new sidewalk cafe licenses being issued on Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Nectar and Bier International) one of our readers sent us information about a fight for sidewalk cafes on 125th Street. As we all know Harlem’s main corridor is busy enough as it is without the addition of sidewalk cafes, but this has been part of the 125th Street rezoning plan since 2008. There is a map that shows the proposed areas where the cafes would be allowed.
The proposed text amendment would prohibit enclosed and unenclosed sidewalk cafes entirely throughout the Special District; would prohibit all sidewalk cafes within areas of the Special District with high pedestrian traffic and opposite predominately residential areas; and would allow small sidewalk cafes on a limited number of locations where they are appropriate, would not adversely affect pedestrian circulation, and should continue to be allowed.
As the map shows the outdoor cafes can be on streets like Lenox (Sylvia’s, Red Rooster, and Chez Lucienne have licenses) as well as streets west of Saint Nicholas or east of Lenox,excluding Park and Lexington. Applebee’s recently also received approval for a sidewalk cafe.
Are sidewalk cafes on 125th Street a good idea or a recipe for disaster? Let us know in the comments section.
Bob
May 19, 2011
There would be more room for sidewalk cafes if there were fewer illegal salespeople crowding the sidewalks.
D. Bell
June 5, 2011
Bob, the Police are pretty vigilant about making sure the sidewalk vendors have licenses. This has been an ongoing issue on 125th Street.
Richard Garey
May 15, 2011
I am fairly apathetic towards the sidewalk cafes throughout the city. Listening to cars honk and watching dogs pee doesn’t improve my dining experience much. I’d be much more interested in seeing garden cafes where you could escape the congestion.
D. Bell
May 16, 2011
Richard, I agree. I much prefer a lovely garden space to the noisy and often dirty streets. Thanks for your comment.
Sahara
May 3, 2011
Hi!
Sidewalk cafes don’t belong on 125th ST. Ancestors, why are they still trying to do this? The corridor is too crowded. I don’t mind sidewalk cafes in Harlem at all; just not on crowded corridors. Will the sidewalk cafe of Applebee’s be on 5th?
Dee
May 3, 2011
Sahara,
Take a look at the map we linked to…it shows that the cafes are authorized for the areas that are less congested. I agree that the sidewalks of 125th are too small for sidewalk cafes and there is enough going on without the addition of people eating on the street. According to the map the Applebee’s seating will be on 5th which is a wider sidewalk.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/125th_sidewalk_cafe/sidewalk_cafe_allowed.pdf
harlemviews
April 26, 2011
Sidewalk Cafes is not a good look for the Village of Harlem.
just my 2 cents!
Shay
April 26, 2011
I enjoy the experience at sidewalk cafes, however, certain areas would be great to implement this but not on the blocks of the shopping areas on 125th street, not be a good look. Too much traffic.
D. Bell
April 26, 2011
Hi Shay,
The map shows the ares where the cafes would be allowed. It excludes the most congested parts of the area (125th between St. Nicholas and Lenox, etc.)