Quote:
Originally Posted by worth
Additionally, these structures take away from the sense of community we are trying to build. I think a lot of us have romantic ideas of European squares where locals hang out. That's part of what makes a city interesting and beautiful. Anti-human installations are hostile to that idea.
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Problem is this is private property (I'm assuming since Safety went and just did it) and the business that occupies the private property is being effected by the people occupying their privately owned space. They are under no obligation to make it a public square type space.
You could make the argument that having people chill and hang out in their public space may lead to higher sales of the adjacent store, but since they are having customers complaining about the people occupying the space I'm assuming its having a bigger negative impact than a positive one to their bottom line (businesses in general try and limit expenditures if they dont have an ROI or business case behind them).
Why is it Safeway's responsibility to ensure panhandlers and homeless have a place to hang out. Safeway does plenty of other philanthropic and charitable programs, they shouldn't be chastised for trying to operate in the best interest for their business.