Pedestrians will have less room to walk, more room to eat, under a new council bill on sidewalk cafe paths

Pedestrians will have less room to walk, more room to eat, under a new council bill on sidewalk cafe paths

Briefly

"City Council Member Keith Powers, who represents Midtown and the East Side of Manhattan, introduced on Wednesday legislation to set the clear path requirement of sidewalk cafes to no more than eight feet. The current maximum of 12 feet restricts or eliminates some existing sidewalk cafes, he explained. This legislation is a lifeline to small businesses that would otherwise be shut out of the city's outdoor dining program, the council member said."

"He said his legislation, called Intro. 1444, would simplify the rules that businesses have to follow when offering outdoor dining. This legislation simplifies the rules, gives bars and restaurants more breathing room to succeed, and helps keep our streets vibrant and lively, he said. Prior to the pandemic, bars and restaurants were able to construct outdoor additions onto their storefronts that extended their businesses' interior space out into the public sidewalk."

"Under the new post-pandemic Dining Out Program, managed by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), new sidewalk cafes are no longer permitted. However, those that existed prior to the pandemic are eligible to be grandfathered in. If the bill becomes law, these cafe owners would be able to operate as long as they maintain a clear path of eight feet. amNewYork has contacted the DOT to determine if the change is feasible and is awaiting a response."