Despite the Northern Liberties community being “unanimously opposed” to Finnegan’s Wake’s expansion efforts, political connections at the bar could trump the will of the neighborhood’s body politic. Neighbors already fed up with the noisy and ill-mannered drunken rabble that Finnegan’s Wake attracts fear that proposed renovations, which include adding a two-story outdoor balcony that extends over Spring Garden Street, will only “reward unneighborly behavior.” Finnegan’s folks say the changes will only effect the bar’s catering operations, and won’t draw bigger, rowdier and drunker crowds. More than 400 complaints against the project have been logged, and Councilman Mark Squilla has promised that no construction will take place until and agreement can be reached. But based on the fact that Finnegan’s got its way with taking over Bodine Street earlier this year, we’re guessing it will continue steamrolling the opposition and build its balcony no matter what. [Inquirer]
