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PleaseBmoreCharming t1_j1gn4ey wrote

Reply to comment by moderndukes in Announcing the Expansion of the Outdoor Dining Program by BmoreCityDOT

IMO, given that you already pay taxes to support the infrastructure that makes up the right-of-way (i.e., the roadway, sidewalks, curbs) why should you have to pay that much more to "reserve" some of that PUBLIC area for your private use? I think of it just like reserving a pavilion at a park.

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moderndukes t1_j1go4h7 wrote

Because it’s public so everyone has right to usage. Thus, if one person wants to monopolize the usage, they should have to reserve it. In this case, you’re profiting off of public land so paying a fee for its usage absolutely makes sense.

(Also, the other usages of right of way you reference are all transportive in nature and all only use those sqft momentarily. This is not the same sort of usage.)

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PleaseBmoreCharming t1_j1goi1b wrote

I think we are on the same page about this and making the same point in different language. I do think that because they are making profits, they should have to pay a fee, but the significance of that fee at this price point is attainable enough that it can be justified due to the generally tax liability of the public.

Sorry for the confusion. We are saying the same thing! 👍

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