News

City may roll away food vendors

Committee considers designated area for lat-night stands to avoid noise complaints

Although no decision was rendered regarding the fate of late-night vendors on North Frances Street, members of the Vending Oversight Committee derived a draft ordinance Wednesday night to create specific locations where vending would be allowed.

Since VOC members and the Madison Police Department have received several calls about vending-related problems on North Frances Street, the committee proposed several suggestions to alleviate the issues.

Street Vending coordinator Warren Hansen said he was concerned about the number of problems reported.

“Ultimately, if there continues being problems with late night vending, I wonder if we should have it at all,” Hansen said.

A draft ordinance amendment presented at the meeting proposed new rules for late-night vendors. The draft included assigning vendors to designated spots on the 400 block of North Frances Street and the 700 block of State Street. This would eliminate competition between vendors for spots to operate on the street.

The locations would be assigned to vendors according to seniority based on the date of acquiring their vending license. VOC members also noted the possibility of adding demerit points into the seniority equation.

The delegated vending areas on the 400 block of North Broom Street and the 100 and 300 blocks of West Johnson Street would remain first come, first served areas of operation.

The draft also proposed new license fees and assigned hours of operation.

Problems have been associated with the late night stand Jin’s Chicken and Fish, especially noise complaints. The vendor has been penalized multiple times and previously had its vending license temporarily revoked.

MPD spokesperson Carrie Hemming told committee members the high density area of Frances Street has not actually received more complaint calls than other areas.

“It’s fair to say that they are not all problematic on how they operate,” Hemming said. “The only significant noise problem is Jin’s, and its music.”

Suggestions to improve the issues caused by late-night vendors included moving vendors to the 700 block of State Street — also known as Library Mall — or to Frances Plaza on the 400 block of North Frances Street, between State Street Brats and the University Inn.

Library Mall is expected to have adequate lighting installed when the weather improves, and Hansen said the Insomnia Cookies vendor loves the location.

There was also discussion about Frances Plaza installing new artwork and water appliances this summer.

“I would hate to have Frances Plaza be turned into a food court,” said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.

Hemming said vendors often cause traffic congestion and lines of pedestrians in the street.

She also added the location of Library Mall is definitely the safest alternative but not the best choice from a business perspective because she is not positive vendors will maintain their customer loyalty.

Verveer said he agreed with Hemming, saying he does not think Library Mall is “an equal for both the customers and patrons alike.” He also suggested looking for a more practical area.

The ordinance amendment drafted was not finalized.