And I have driven by on Division where that "street seats" were fully packed with patrons. You couldn't pay me enough to sit in that area, I swear it is like putting a target on your back.

It can only be a matter of time given the number of times I have seen/heard about cars, on a straight section of road, nailing a car properly parked on the street. And given the damage I have seen there is likely to be many fatalities.

I still don't believe that they allowed this on a two lane, two way, heavy bus route, heavily travelled street...really poor choice

Getting closer? Silly. If the next crash on Division happens to be farther away, that doesn't make the "street seats" any safer. The danger of the "street seats" is self-evident. No need to strain things.

You're all missing the point...
As soon as all the cars are banned from the streets of the sustainable eco-village, this won't be a problem. Everything will be so safe you won't even need a helmet to ride a bike!

The strange thing for me is that this is in front of Wafu, a restaurant that serves, among other things, sushi (and other forms of raw seafood), which is a cuisine that depends upon fresh, delicate, high quality fish. In short, just about the LAST food that is going to do well exposed to traffic fumes, bus exhaust, etc.

And, of course--what the heck are they going to do when it rains?

Drifting drivers makes me think about all of the people (okay, mostly ladies. sorry, ladies) I see texting while driving. Scares the crud out of me. I'm really glad they are putting anti-texting ads on TV now. Hope they work.

I'm still tempted to grab an extra-large Icee and sit there for an hour claiming it is in public right-of-way and see what they do.

This will eventually just be one more rationalization for banning all cars and truck completely from major arteries in Portland.

Will these diner "speed bumps" also qualify for Federal aid as a "traffic calming device"?

I'm still tempted to grab an extra-large Icee and sit there for an hour claiming it is in public right-of-way and see what they do.

Excellent point. Does this mean "public right-of-way" is being leased to private businesses via license? More square footage to collect from, another cash cow for CoP? Or has CoP redefined what "public right-of-way" even means? PBOT once stated that privately owned automobiles do not have a right to park on "their" streets.

I'm still waiting for those children's play structure "speed bumps" to show up next.

It seems like it will mostly be a matter of time before one of these street seat areas gets hit by a moving vehicle or a backing large truck. Then it will be really interesting to see which party becomes liable for damages.
Also, I'm a little amazed that Oregon STILL doesn't have a law banning texting in place. Nevada passed a law banning texting while driving; as well as using a hand held cell phone last year. And all the public safety agencies are now writing tickets for violators.

Also, I'm a little amazed that Oregon STILL doesn't have a law banning texting in place.

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/811.507

"I'm still tempted to grab an extra-large Icee and sit there for an hour claiming it is in public right-of-way and see what they do." Space is leased to the owner of the adjacent sopace. They own the deck. If a truck was parked that spot you couldn't jump in the truck bed and say " I am a citizen of Portland and I can do this"

Besides the law cited isn't it also a violation to operate your vehicle "recklessly" ?

I wonder if the restaurant or owner's premises liability insurance covers seating in the public right of way. An UN-happy hour waiting to happen.

It is interesting the way a spot on the street, where in theory anyone who wanted to visit any business or residence in the area could park, is now converted to use for ONE specific business. Even spots that are removed for bike parking serve the public good. This is the specific exchange of a parking spot for revenue generation for one business (perhaps at the expense of other businesses nearby that lack an outside dining area.) Could I remove a spot in front of my house and convert it to a garden? It would sure help my family!

this is fun!

My country cousin Bubba Joe wants to take his monster rig and do some 'off-roading' on one of these things. (While no one is seated there, of course.)

Very tempting to a Tri-Met bus.

You can bet your bottom dollar that drunks are going to plow into these things at 3 a.m., etc.

They own the deck. If a truck was parked that spot you couldn't jump in the truck bed and say "I am a citizen of Portland and I can do this"

According to the encroachment permits the city is issuing to those in the "Street Seats" pilot program, the platform in the public right-of-way is technically designated as a sidewalk.

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/405745

Thus, it's still technically public right-of-way, rather than private property. Steve would not be trespassing with his ICEE.

"If permittee wishes to extend a Café Seating Permit for the area they will be required to obtain an annual Sidewalk Café Permit for the Platform area and comply with Section 17.25.080, Sidewalk Cafes, of the Code of the City of Portland." The only reason any business would install one of these decks would be to increase sidewalk seating. I assume all street seats applicants will also get a cafe seating permit. I don't think you can go and sit down at a table at sidewalk cafe without eating at that business. It's still their table and chairs. I guess you could go and just stand next to table on the platform.

EEWWWWW

Who tossed that ________ into my soup?
Gives a whole new perspective to littering as a form of "civil disobedience".

3 words........

Natural Selection Process

Mr. Grumpy:More square footage to collect from, another cash cow for CoP?

Yes.

Dave J.Could I remove a spot in front of my house and convert it to a garden? It would sure help my family!

Most likely, if it provides another cash cow for the city. Wonder how much they would charge for you to do that?

Is there a way that could this thing be tied into a dumb blond joke.

I sure hope the owner of the pickup was able to salvage his NEW YORK LONDON PARIS ESTACADA bumper sticker. That always made me smile on my morning commute.

"Reservations: Indoor, outside or street seats?" Who thinks these things up?
(That's not an answer to Dave's challenge)

Why would anyone want to sit in the street? How is that relaxing? Talk about being on edge--literally.

Now that this section of Division has become so lively, I find people usually drive quite slowly and carefully there. I know I do! Maybe PBOT should install some speed bumps to increase safety for people walking & enjoying the street seats though.