Video: Seattle mayor wants more sidewalk cafes

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SEATTLE - One of the things people love about Paris: all the sidewalk cafes. Now, Seattle's mayor wants to bring a little Paris to Seattle.

Right now there are 225 outdoor cafes in Seattle. The trouble is it costs businesses around $3,000 to get a sidewalk cafe permit, which is a lot of money for a small business. And it can also take months to get the approval.

The mayor believes if the city makes it easier, sidewalk cafes will start popping up all over the city.

There's something about pulling up a chair at a sidewalk cafe. Many enjoy sitting outside and just people watching.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants more of that scene. He's sent legislation to the Seattle City Council, hoping to make it easier for a restaurant to open sidewalk cafes. Instead of what the city calls a bunch of bureaucratic red tape, they'd slash the price of the permit by about $1,700. And instead of taking months to issue a sidewalk permit, the city would get it done in 10 days.

"That would be amazing, yeah," said Leslie Mackie.

Mackie says the sidewalk seats at her Macrina Cafe and Bakery are a savior, adding overflow from the small interior of the cafe.

"It gets very busy," said Mackie. "In fact, we could have more, I think."

She says the sidewalk seats draw more people. And she believes if businesses like hers had an easier time setting up outside, it would add a lot of spirit to Seattle.

"I just think it makes a more engaging city, don't you think?" said Mackie.

There is a public hearing on this proposal on Tuesday, August 19th at 9:30 a.m. at Seattle City Hall.

The biggest concern regarding sidewalk cafes: Will they block pedestrian traffic?

The city says although the goal would be to allow more sidewalk cafes, they won't do it at the expense of the pedestrian right of way.

Right now the ordinance allows five feet of sidewalk space for pedestrians to get by. The new ordinance would actually increase that space to six feet.