Two long-standing halal carts across from Manhattan’s Hudson Yards were recently forced to relocate after a local business alliance landscaped over their regular sidewalk spots with new trees and wider tree pits. Another cart on the same corner is also being forced out after still another vendor was permitted for the location.
The owners of the displaced carts say the loss of prime sales space along the burgeoning commercial zone has meant losing out on vital foot traffic, revenue, and also cost jobs.
The dispute came to a head on Wednesday with over 50 vendors and advocates encircling the Vessel, the 16-story sculpture centerpiece of the multi-billion-dollar Hudson Yards complex, chanting in unison, “Shame on you, Hudson Yards!” and “Shame on you, Parks Department!”
“You don’t need to displace a small business to place an extra tree,” said Nazih Atia, one of the cart co-owners. “I just ask the city for 4 feet to get our business back as it was before.”
One of the food carts near Bella Abzug Park owned by a group of Egyptian immigrants and U.S. military veterans. The cart was stationed on the northern side of 33rd Street on Wednesday. In prior months, it was located on the northwest corner of Hudson Blvd E. and 33rd St., before the addition of new trees and tree pits forced their relocation.
Arya Sundaram / Gothamist
The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance (HYHK), the business improvement district that manages Bella Abzug Park adjacent to the contested sidewalk space, insists the recent changes aren’t about money, or displacing existing vendors.
The newly added trees and tree pits were part of beautification plans for a pedestrian-friendly street envisioned long before the vendors arrived, according to the group.
And HYHK and the city Parks Department also point to several other nearby spaces the vendors could set up shop.
“I don’t care if they’re there or not, as long as they abide by the rules,” said Robert Benfatto, the HYHK president.
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