Multiple lawsuits have challenged both the temporary and proposed permanent open restaurant programs. On August 18, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new enforcement initiative with multiple city agencies to remove abandoned outdoor dining sheds. The City’s temporary open restaurants program allowed for restaurants to build outdoor shed structures on sidewalks and in roadways to allow for safer outdoor dining during the pandemic. However, some of these structures have been abandoned by restaurants that have … <Read More>
Search Results for: Small Businesses
Landmarks Launches Business Express Service
On August 3, 2022, the Landmarks Preservation Commission announced the launch of their Business Express Service, a one-stop-shop where businesses operating in landmarked buildings can easily get permits. This Landmarks initiative aims to strengthen the City’s pandemic recovery in accordance with the Mayor’s Economic Blueprint.
DDC Announces First-Ever Pre-Qualified List for M/WBE General Contractors’ Benefit
On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced the creation of the City’s first Pre-Qualified List, strictly for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors. The Pre-Qualified List was designed to provide Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors with first dibs over Department of Design and Construction projects between $500,000 and $2.99 million. In this way, construction contracts can be awarded faster and projects can be … <Read More>
City Council Holds Hearing for Creation of “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal”
The New York City Council Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed digital portal to centralize the information and paperwork necessary to open and run a small business. On June 9, 2022, the New York City Council’s Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed bill that would require the City to create and maintain the, “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal.” The Portal would be an on-line hub … <Read More>
City and State Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking of New Mixed-Use Affordable Development in Brownsville
On May 17, 2022, City and State officials joined the development team of non-profit The Bridge, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, and Mega Development for the ground breaking of Bridge Rockaway, a new mixed-use affordable housing development in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
City Council Holds First Hearing on Permanent Open Restaurants Plan
Many elected officials raised concerns about DOT’s ability to handle the scale and capacity of a citywide permanent open restaurants program. On February 8, 2022, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a joint hearing with the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection on the proposed permanent open restaurant program. The proposed permanent open restaurant program will replace the temporary program and establish a new streamlined program for the creation, management and enforcement … <Read More>