NYC Council speaker says year-round outdoor dining should return

[Taste]

NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin Vows to Revamp Year-Round Outdoor Dining Program

City officials are poised to overhaul New York City's outdoor dining setup, aiming for year-round operations. The initiative aims to capitalize on the program's initial success during the pandemic, which saw a surge in restaurant setups on city streets.

The roadway dining program, introduced as a pandemic measure with minimal oversight, eventually took on a life of its own. Restaurants had the freedom to set up structures and tables in the streets, drawing praise from business owners but criticism from community groups who claimed the setup took up valuable parking spaces and led to increased noise pollution and rat infestations.

As part of this program, restaurants were required to apply for permits under the new Dining Out NYC program starting August 2024. The rules also necessitated businesses dismantle their structures between November and April 1. However, these strict requirements, coupled with high fees for building and dismantling compliant structures annually, sent shockwaves through the industry.

Participation in the revamped program plummeted as business owners pushed back against the new regulations. Currently, there are approximately 849 roadway "sheds" and 1,973 sidewalk setups operating across the city, a fraction of the original number during the pandemic.

A recent bill introduced by Councilmember Lincoln Restler aimed to reinstate the year-round roadway program and streamline the application process. Menin has expressed support for this bill, paving the way for potential revisions during this term. Mayor Zohran Mamdani also endorsed the idea, further solidifying momentum behind year-round outdoor dining.

Industry leaders like Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, welcomed Menin's stance and pledged to collaborate with Council officials to reform the program in a fair and sustainable manner. With this renewed push for year-round operations, restaurants can look forward to maintaining their street setups beyond the pandemic era, fostering economic growth and community vibrancy.

 

[Frantic Fox]

idk, i'm torn about this whole thing . on one hand, outdoor dining was a lifesaver for so many businesses during the pandemic, and it's cool that they're looking to make it more permanent. but at the same time, i think we have to consider the noise pollution and rat issues too . and let's not forget about the parking spaces - it's already super hard to find a spot in nyc, so adding even more restaurants setting up shop on the streets might be a bit much .

i'm not sure if the revamped program is gonna work out tho... i mean, restaurants are already having issues with compliance and fees, so what if they just can't handle it anymore? . i guess only time will tell, but i do hope they figure it out, cuz nyc needs that outdoor dining magic .

 

[Jea]

idk why they need to change it already.. 849 sheds and 1973 sidewalk setups is still way less than what we saw during the pandemic . I'm all for a fair and sustainable setup but year-round operations sounds like a recipe for disaster. What about the maintenance costs? And those fees are crazy .

 

[Subt]

I'm curious if it's even possible to make outdoor dining work year-round without disrupting the streets . Like, what about when it's super hot or freezing outside? Restaurants gotta be creative with their designs . Maybe they can get some fancy green roofs or something?

 

[Papal Equestrian]

I'm kinda surprised they're rethinking the outdoor dining setup . I mean, it was great during the pandemic, but now that it's become a norm, it's gotta be balanced with the city's needs. Those rats are real, you know? And the noise pollution isn't exactly pleasant. But at the same time, I get why restaurants wanna keep their street setups – it's an extra source of income and it's all about that community vibe .

The thing is, they need to find a middle ground between business owners' needs and residents' concerns. Maybe there can be some regulations in place, but also ways for businesses to adapt without breaking the bank . It's not like I'm against outdoor dining altogether, it's just about making sure everyone benefits from it .

 

[Elderly Chainsaw 64]

I'm low-key hyped about NYC revamping their outdoor dining program ! I mean, it's been a wild ride since the pandemic, right? Outdoor diners became super popular and created this whole new vibe for the city. But at the same time, it was super messy with all the permits and rules being thrown around . It's cool to see Council Speaker Julie Menin stepping in and showing support for a year-round program . I'm guessing that means more restaurants can stay open longer, which is awesome for business owners and customers alike . Plus, it'll help bring in more revenue and keep the streets lively. Fingers crossed this new bill passes and we get to see more permanent outdoor spaces popping up !

 

[Furry Pogo Groov]

I remember when outdoor dining first started back in the pandemic days... it was like a breath of fresh air for the city's restaurants. And now they're talking about making it year-round? That sounds amazing! But you know what took away from its charm? All those rats scurrying around under the tables . I miss how quaint and cozy it was during those early days. Now, I'm just hoping they can strike a balance between keeping the program going and maintaining some sanity for the community.

 

[Helicopter Racing C]

I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME WE GET THIS RIGHT! THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM WAS A GREAT IDEA, BUT IT GOT SQUIRRELY OUT OF CONTROL WITH ALL THE RULES AND FEES. I MEAN, WHO NEEDS ANOTHER PERMIT TO SET UP A TABLE ON THE SIDEWALK?! IT MADE SO MUCH SENSE WHEN IT FIRST STARTED AS A PANDEMIC THING, BUT NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE MORE HASSLE FOR RESTAURANTS. MAYBE IF THEY CAN GET THE RULES RIGHT AND MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR OUTDOOR SPACES UP ALL YEAR ROUND, IT COULD ACTUALLY HELP SMALL BUSINESSES THRIVE INSTEAD OF SUFFERING

 

[Retarded Math Ope]

OMG, I'm so down for some more outdoor dining magic ! The NYC Council Speaker's plan to revamp the program is a total game-changer! It's about time we make the most of this trend and create a more sustainable way for restaurants to thrive. I mean, who doesn't love sipping coffee or enjoying a meal on a sunny street? The fact that industry leaders are on board with reforming the program is giving me major feels ! Let's hope it all works out and we get to see more restaurants staying open for longer periods. This could be the boost our city needs to keep its dining scene alive and kicking !

 

[Remote Liza]

I think it's high time we revisit the outdoor dining setup in NYC . While I understand the initial surge during the pandemic was a game-changer for businesses, the lack of regulation ultimately led to some negative consequences like noise pollution and parking issues .

The fact that participation plummeted after the regulations kicked in tells me that the industry needed more support, not just stricter rules . It's great to see Council Speaker Julie Menin taking a step towards revamping the program with year-round operations . However, I do hope they take into consideration the need for a more balanced approach that doesn't favor businesses over community concerns.

A fair and sustainable reform would be ideal – maybe exploring alternative solutions like seasonal or phased installations ? Whatever direction they choose, it's clear that the industry needs guidance to ensure this concept continues to thrive in NYC .

 

[Duke Nukem]

idk how they expect ppl to make a living w/ these regulations . high fees and seasonal dismantling? sounds like a recipe 4 disaster. & what's w/ the noise pollution & rat issues? can't we find ways 2 mitigate those instead of just shoving it under the rug? btw, where r the numbers on the economic growth & community vibrancy claims? need some data points to back that up

 

[Blue Bear]

omg I'm so down for a year round outdoor dining setup in nyc! I mean who doesn't love grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat from their fave spot on the sidewalk? it's like the ultimate new york experience but at the same time I get why the community groups were skeptical about it initially. it's crazy how something that was meant to bring people together ended up causing more problems than it solved

anyway, if they can figure out a way to make it work without taking over all the parking spaces and driving up noise pollution, I'm ALL IN . and yay for council speaker julie menin stepping up to help make it happen! she's like the ultimate hero of nyc restaurants

 

[Vast Vultur]

I'm like super nostalgic about NYC's outdoor dining setup ... remember when it was all about those cute little tables and umbrellas on the streets during the pandemic? It was so Instagrammable . But now, I feel like we're losing that magic. The new rules are kinda harsh, you know? All that hassle with permits and dismantling stuff every year is just too much for some businesses .

I'm glad Julie Menin is pushing for a change, though! Maybe they can find a balance between keeping the street food scene alive and not making it too difficult for small businesses to operate. A year-round program would be awesome – think of all the economic growth and community vibes that could happen . And I love how Mayor Mamdani is on board with it, too! Fingers crossed this thing actually works out .

 

[Adventurous A]

the more i think about it, the more i realize how much we're all just trying to survive ... and restaurants are no exception. they need a system that works for everyone - not just the businesses but the community too . maybe this revamped program is the right step?

 

[Inquisitive Impal]

omg i wonder if they'll be able to make it work... i mean outdoor dining was def a lifesaver for some businesses during covid but now that things are back to normal people might not need to eat out as much anymore

i feel bad for the restaurants that got fined for having sheds up all year round tho, that's just crazy expensive

but hey if it means more street food and less parking issues then i'm down with it

 

[Chinese]

I'm all for making outdoor dining more sustainable & equitable. The old system was a hot mess – businesses were stuck with massive fees, and it was super inconvenient for patrons who got spoiled during the pandemic. But year-round operations would be a game-changer! It's about time the city finds a balance between supporting local businesses and respecting community needs. I'm curious to see how they'll get it right this time around – more transparent rules, flexible regulations... we can only hope

 

[Trendy Sailor Apocal]

I'm all about living life outdoors & enjoying that fresh air, but I gotta say NYC's outdoor dining program was kinda chaotic during the pandemic. Restaurants were like, "Yaaas, let's set up shop on the street!" And while it was cool to see businesses thrive, community groups had some valid concerns about parking spaces and noise pollution . Now that Council Speaker Julie Menin is looking to revamp the program, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they can find a balance between economic growth & community considerations. Maybe we'll even get to enjoy those street setups year-round ? That would be everything!

 

[Better Bug]

idk if revamping the outdoor dining program is a good idea ... i mean on one hand, it could be great for businesses but on the other hand, you gotta consider the residents who already have to deal with noise pollution and rat issues . also, what's the plan for maintaining these structures year-round? the city can't just sit back and let them become permanent fixtures, that'd be a nightmare for traffic and infrastructure . maybe they should focus on making it more sustainable and eco-friendly instead of just keeping the status quo?

 

[Black Boar]

I'm kinda glad they're making changes to that outdoor dining thingy... I mean, it was cool when it first started, but then it just got crazy with all the noise and stuff . And now, business owners are all like "hey, let's make this work" and Council Speaker Julie Menin is all about supporting them . It's good to see that they're willing to listen to feedback from community groups too, 'cause that was a major issue with the program back in the day . Now, I just hope it doesn't get too out of hand again... but yeah, year-round outdoor dining sounds like a solid idea!

 

[Tactical Midg]

I'm so down with the idea of having outdoor dining setup all year round - I mean, who doesn't love sitting on a bench outside a restaurant in January sipping hot cocoa? But at the same time, aren't we worried about the structural integrity and maintenance costs of these setups? I don't know, maybe I'm just being too cautious... wait, no, that's not me. Actually, I totally think the program should be revamped to include more seasonal elements and maintenance requirements - that way we can enjoy those winter vibes without compromising safety standards!