Madison Park restaurant's outdoor dining space sparks community dispute

Leave it alone? So it goes back to being an eye-sore in the neighborhood? These people are idiots. But then, it's Seattle, so ....

Someone knows someone...

Stowell displays some entitlement, feeling he has a right to use it because… why now? Also I have a hard time picturing Mad Park having too many junkies hanging around dropping needles. He is exaggerating or lying. I lived a block up the hill for 8 years, never saw anything of the sort.

Just because Stowell cleaned up a public space doesn't mean he gets to make money off of the exclusive use of it. What a snotty little man! That little space was never that bad an eyesore-and I have been there several times a month for 47 years. Yes, at one time, a person could get a coffee and treat from the bakery, sit there, and watch the world go by. If Stowell thinks the little space should look nicer for his guests, good for him. But I doubt the intention to "give" it to a business was never made or expressed. Who is the rep for the donor family, anyway?? So every food place could sweep the sidewalk, put out some plants, and set up business? Could they do the same across the street by the swings? What a joke. One would think that Madison Park would exhibit more class and control over their little gift.

Some people just like to complain - pros and cons I think it's better than needles laying around and dead foliage . And he does it at his expense. I'd call him a Good Samaritan personally

Ethan Stowells restaurants are so massively overrated. He is not entitled to take over public spaces with his big restaurant group of awful restaurants. Bring back Bings.

There must not be any problems in Seattle if this made the news

A local business renovates an eyesore, and creates a beautiful harmonious place for everyone to enjoy and benefit and the business owner does their own upkeep. Of course some karens have to find a problem with it and try to feel like they have some kind of agency in the world and power trip over a non-issue.

At the end of the day, it's good for the neighborhood, and that's just a fact.

Number one, he is not trying to make the property for his exclusive use. The business sets a few tables in the evenings. I’ve been by the park, longtime (lifelong) Seattle resident. It used to be somewhat of an eyesore, dead vegetation, flowers, used condoms, a few needles. For a while, a homeless man pitched a tent there. They’ve got it cleaned up, it’s available for the public to use during the day and they don’t use the full space in the evening either. They’re maintaining the space and keeping the homeless at bay. A win for the restaurant and the public. Stupid not to OK the permit, they’re actually obeying the law, unlike other businesses that simply take over the sidewalk.

Buisness owner invests in your community not expect the city to pamper your store front area... 😂

Old, rich and entitled residents of one of Seattle's most expensive neighborhoods? are those the only opinions you could find?

Before the onslaught of fleeing Californians invaded out state every sucessful bar, club, and restaurant had outdoor patio space. Alki was the perfect example of Seattle. As the evening turned to night the traffic would get slower and slower and the music louder and louder with many locals congregating on the beach to watch it get dark. With Cali going bankrupt maybe its time for people who want the quiet life to move back. Or maybe move to Alki now that its been distroyed by these same people. If Wolf is maintaining the space for free they should mind their own business.

Do they prefer a homeless encampment with 5 tents and tons of garbage? That can easily happen and then they will beg the restaurant to take it over!

It’ll be a thorny blackberry patch or a homeless encampment if you let the city run it. Count your blessings.

Remember. We still have the right to bare Arms, 2 amendment rights for when police Is under staffed and 20 minutes away