Philadelphia bar faces opposition to construction plans

8/30/2012 | Construction Blog, Real Estate Blog

New and existing businesses can and do run into problems in proposing construction plans for growing and improving their business. Dealing with these spats can be burdensome, but is a necessary task. Finnigan’s Wake, the famous tavern in Northern Liberties, is currently going through these difficulties in its effort to renovate its property.

The bar, which hosts hundreds of patrons each weekend, plans to accommodate its catering business by updating the brick façade, adding a two-story balcony for the catering floors, moving the catering entrance to another side of the property, and converting an alley-like section into a patio and public green space. The project, all privately funded, is expected to cost between $200,000 and $300,000. Many neighbors of the bar, however, are quite opposed to the construction project.

The Bar opened in its current location in 1997. The owners are hoping to begin construction in the fall. The City Council has already approved bills legalizing the closing of a street that would interfere with the project, and authorizing the construction of a green space. Because of the hostile neighbors, though, the owners are working to reach some agreement.

Among other issues being worked out is parking. Lack of it causes a good deal of overflow and crowding in the area, upsetting neighbors. And with a typical weekend night bringing in several hundred patrons, there is a lot of traffic to deal with.

These situations can be a real pain for companies to deal with, particularly when the plans are critical for the survival or continued growth of a business.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, “Neighbors oppose plans for construction at Finnigan’s Wake,” August 14, 2012