Right before this bar reopened, a fence blocked Greenbelt access. Then this happened.
If you’re a fan of shipping container bars, raise a toast to shortcuts.
A newly constructed 6-foot fence blocking Greenbelt access to the Yardarm was yanked before the neighborhood hangout reopened Saturday. The blockade had drawn the ire of the seasonal bar’s owners, who chronicled the ordeal on Facebook. Customers complained to Garden City Mayor John Evans, who said he received more than 100 emails.
But right before the Yardarm reopened last weekend, the fence was remodeled into a hinged gate, co-owner Guy Midnight says. It’s been open since.
“I don’t know what happened,” he says. “I’m not asking questions.”
The fence had nixed access between 35th Street and the Greenbelt. As reported by the Statesman, it was built along a paved path that had led to the Greenbelt from the Waterhouse Row townhouse development. The Yardarm, 314 E. 35th St., is southwest of the development.
“To say we’re disappointed would be an understatement,” The Yardarm had posted on its Facebook page. “We were promised access to the Greenbelt before this project even got underway.”
Last week, developer Jim Neill told the Statesman that the Yardarm’s ownership had “the mistaken impression there is a public right of way there. We’re not obliged to take a business that chose a landlocked location and give them access, but we did.”
Hours before The Yardarm returned as part of Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds coronavirus plan, that access was restored, Midnight says.
“It’s all working out,” he says. “Now that it’s open, let the bar run, let everybody be happy, and let’s just go with that.”
Besides, Midnight jokes, he had selfish reasons. He surfs the adjustable wave every morning at the nearby Boise Whitewater Park.
“It was a pain in the ass to have to walk around,” Midnight said with a chuckle. “Now I can walk right through and jump in. I felt bad for my customers, but secretly, I was mad because I had to get to the wave.”
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 2:30 PM.