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Finelli's and neighborhood groups agree to compromise: remove Prince Street roadbed, keep Mercer configuration
Summary
After extended public comment and negotiation, Finelli's (94 Prince Street) and community groups agreed on a modified outdoor-dining plan that removes proposed Prince Street roadway seating while maintaining Mercer Street roadway seating and other operational controls including trained hosts and staff enforcement.
Finelli's Cafe's application for exterior seating generated a lengthy discussion among the community board, residents and neighborhood groups over crowding, sidewalk logjams and public-safety concerns. The applicant and residents reported years of experience operating outdoor seating during and after the pandemic.
Sasha, who identified themself as the general manager of Finelli's Cafe, described operational controls the restaurant would use: a matre d' who also performs crowd management, signage prohibiting drinks on the public sidewalk and staff training to prevent customers from lingering with open drinks on non-permitted sidewalks.
Neighborhood representatives from the SoHo Alliance, Broadway Residents Coalition and other local stakeholders said the intersection near the Finelli's kiosk regularly experienced logjams and parking intrusions and asked the applicant to modify the plan. After discussion, the parties agreed on a compromise: the applicant will remove proposed roadbed seating on Prince Street but will retain roadbed seating on Mercer Street under a modified diagram. The group also discussed other design elements (planters, delineation, barriers) and asked the operator to submit a final, fixed layout for the committee to ratify.
The committee encouraged Finelli's to continue engaging local groups and to implement active management: trained hosts, active clearing of the curbside area, and further dialogue with DOT about delivery access. Several residents said the presence of Finelli's made the block feel safer after dark; others warned about crowding and car intrusion if seating was removed from the corner.
Committee members recorded community consensus to move forward with the Mercer Street configuration and to drop Prince Street seating from the application; they said the applicant should return with finalized diagrams and a plan for managing deliveries and curb access.
