Image credit: New York City Council.
The program follows the concept of the Open Restaurants program. On December 10, 2020, the City Council passed two bills designed to provide arts and cultural institutions across the city with more access to public spaces in response to the damage to the City’s cultural sector because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)
Acting Transportation Commissioner Margaret Forgione. Image Credit: NYC DOT
The new Acting Commissioner is a 26-year veteran of the Department of Transportation. On December 4, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that Margaret Forgione will be the Acting Commissioner of the Department of Transportation after Commissioner Polly Trottenberg departs on December 11th. (more…)
Examples of freestanding gas heaters. Image Credit: NYC DOB
Three heating options were unveiled. On October 14, 2020, Mayor de Blasio on behalf of the Department of Buildings, Department of Transportation, and Fire Department of New York released guidelines for restaurants staying open for outdoor dining during the fall and winter. These new guidelines align with Mayor de Blasio’s recovery agenda to set New York City up to be the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living. This is not the first time New York City has reimagined its use of open spaces. In the 19th century, following a Cholera outbreak, the City began a period of open space creation that lead to the development of Central Park. (more…)
Council Member Steven Matteo Image Credit: City Council
Council looks to revamp the private street mapping process in hopes of addressing private streets in disrepair. On September 8, 2020, the City Council Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on the Department of Transportation’s response to COVID-19, the Open Streets Program, and two introductory bills. The bills would effectively establish permit requirements for the mapping of private streets and additionally provide for their maintenance. The bills are sponsored by Council Members Steven Matteo, Joseph C. Borrelli and Robert Holden at the request of Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.
Governor Andrew Cuomo discusses restaurant reopening requirements on September 9, 2020. Image Credit: Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo/Twitter
Restaurants will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity. On September 9, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that restaurants may resume indoor dining on September 30th as long as they meet specific requirements. Indoor dining has been shut down since last spring at the start of the pandemic, and restaurants have been limited to take out and outdoor dining. (more…)
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