On May 1st Rhode Island lifted the universal approval of sidewalk seating and left the decision up to the individual towns.  On June 1st Bristol chose to remove the sidewalk seating from The Portside Tavern & Jules Ice Cream along with several other businesses. 

•    The main concerns are cars parking on the sidewalk opening doors and the sidewalk must be wide enough for pedestrian  traffic.
• Currently there is more room for car doors to open when parked on the side walk next to a table than there is in the public parking right across the street. 
•  Bristol has also planted trees, installed light fixtures and placed electrical poles in those same spaces. These items are just as restrictive to pedestrian traffic. 
•   In the 2 years we were allowed to use the seating there we have a total of ZERO known incidents
•   The seating outside was instrumental to our survival during covid and should continue to provide jobs for local Bristol residents, provide outdoor seating for those with medical conditions and add ambiance to our already beautiful town.