"DOT's rules brought those establishments under the umbrella of the city's "long-term" and "short-term" concession regulations. The short-term concessions allow outdoor vendors to operate a max of 29 days out of the year. The long-term concession takes about a year to get set up. That would appear to leave restaurateurs on a handful of open streets shit-out-of-luck, including the so-called Dimes Square on Canal Street, which had planned to operate for 183 days this year."
"DOT tells us it's working on a solution, and the agency claims that the restaurants and bars who've staffed up in anticipation of having those extra seats should not fret. Agency spokesman Vincent Barone said DOT will "cut red tape and deliver a solution to allow for Open Streets ... to continue uninterrupted this coming season." What could that solution be? It may very well require an executive order from Mayor Mamdani. Or maybe the city's existing rules will have some wiggle room. Stay tuned."
Permanent DOT rules now classify restaurants and bars on open streets as either short-term or long-term concessions. Short-term concessions limit outdoor vendors to a maximum of 29 days per year. Long-term concessions require roughly a year to establish. Several eateries that planned extended seasonal operations, including Dimes Square on Canal Street with plans for 183 days, face potential loss of outdoor seating. DOT says it is working on a solution and assures operators who staffed up that disruptions should not occur. Agency spokesman Vincent Barone pledged to "cut red tape and deliver a solution." A mayoral executive order or regulatory flexibility may be required.
Read at Streetsblog
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