The new logo for Dining Out NYC, the city’s new permanent outdoor dining program. Image Credit: New York City Mayor’s Office.

On August 16, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signed Int. 31-C, establishing a permanent outdoor dining program. The permanent program, now called “Dining Out NYC,” allows for permanent sidewalk dining year-round and roadway dining seasonally from April to November.  (more…)

The exterior of Calle Dao Chelsea in 2017, approximately a year prior to the application for a sidewalk cafe permit. Image Credit: Google Maps.

Owner of West 23rd Street restaurant sought to extend seating outside. In May 2018, Maxver LLC applied to the City Department of Consumer Affairs for consent to open an unenclosed sidewalk café outside of Calle Dao Chelsea, the Cuban-Chinese fusion restaurant that Maxver operates on Manhattan’s West 23rd Street. The application called for four tables, each seating two people. Consumer Affairs forwarded the application to Community Board No. 4, which, after a public hearing, unanimously voted against the application. Residents of the building that housed the restaurant opposed the sidewalk café based upon their negative experience with a previous sidewalk café at the same location. Maxver had also breached past agreements with the residents and the Community Board, including serving bottomless brunch (i.e., unlimited quantities of alcohol for a set price), despite promising not to, and by violating the condition of its liquor license that it would not apply for a sidewalk café. (more…)

Image of current districts under the FRESH program. One of the Mayor’s proposed zoning amendments will expand the FRESH program in outer boroughs. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The zoning proposals include allowing gyms and spas to open as-of-right. On March 9, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced several proposed zoning changes to support small businesses, create more groceries stores and improve accessibility across the city. The zoning proposals will enter the public review process later this year. (more…)

A protected bike lane. Image Credit: NYC DOT

The addition of protected bike lanes comes as more people opt for cycling as a transportation option during the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 29, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 28.6 miles of new protected bike lanes have been constructed across the five boroughs throughout 2020. The announcement brings New York City’s total bike lane network to 1,378 miles. Of that, 545 miles are protected bike lanes.  (more…)

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…)