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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Some North End restaurant owners are feeling singled out when it comes to outdoor dining.
On Thursday, Mayor Wu announced Canal Street will be a "car-free zone" during home playoff games at TD Garden but approved restaurants and bars to extend their outdoor patios onto the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the city of Boston is no longer allowing outdoor dining in the North End.
"It's a loose loose situation all around for the North End," Richard Ansara, chef and co-owner of Tresca, told WBZ's Suzanne Sausville. "If it were done city-wide we would understand but to single out the North End and now they're telling us Canal Street's going to be able to do it just doesn't make sense to me."
Another North End restauranteur, Adriana DeStefano, told WBZ's Sausville she thinks Mayor Wu's motive is to appease area residents who say outdoor dining takes up too many parking spots.
"I own the building, I've owned it since 1968, do you think they gave me a parking space? No!" DeStefano said.
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Mayor Wu said the move to shut down Canal Street to traffic will build on her vision to transform Boston's public spaces in a way that is "enjoyable for residents, small business owners, and visitors."
"With both the Bruins and the Celtics in the playoffs this year, we’re excited to give Boston fans a space to safely gather, cheer on their favorite teams, and support our local businesses,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to our partners for teaming up with the City to bring back the Playoff Hub, creating a fun experience for our hockey and basketball fans.”
Ansara said he is happy for Canal Street restaurant and bar owners but hopes to see the North End included in the city's outdoor dining plan next year.
"I want everybody to do good including us," Ansara said.
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