Jane Avery
Boston University News Service
Many restaurants in the North End offer outdoor seating and dining and face a $7,500 from Mayor Wu’s office for any outdoor patio space. Wu has offered some compromise for business owners to pay $1,500 by the month or apply for a hardship exemption.
North End restaurants remain the only ones facing fees for outdoor dining across the City of Boston due to traffic congestion and limited pedestrian access.
Outdoor seating is set to begin May 1st for restaurants in the North End. Mayor Wu said that she is prepared to call back outdoor dining in the area entirely if, quote, a critical mass of restaurant owners believe it is unworkable as proposed.
WTBU’s Jane Avery spoke to the owner of Modern Pastry, Johnny Picariello, for his take on outdoor seating.
