The New York City Council is likely to vote Thursday on a permanent framework to make outdoor dining a fixture of city life after months of litigation, protest and uncertainty over the bill’s fate.
The bill, sponsored by Council Member Marjorie Velázquez with vocal support from Mayor Eric Adams, has gone through multiple revisions since it was first introduced in February of last year, as the Adams administration and Council members have spent more than a year in negotiations for a permanent setup.
In the latest version, roadway cafes will be allowed from April until the end of November. Sidewalk seating will be authorized for restaurants year-round with the proper permitting, which covers a four-year period. Curb-based roadway seating will require a separate permit spanning the same length of time, with each permit costing $1,050, according to the bill text.
The program will be overseen by the city Department of Transportation. A spokesperson for Velázquez did not immediately provide comment Thursday morning.
Adams has voiced strong support for outdoor dining, which operated on a temporary basis under the Open Restaurants program throughout the public health emergency under Covid-19. The New York City Hospitality Alliance, which represents 24,000 eating and drinking establishments across the five boroughs, has also been itching for certainty on the future of outdoor dining.
The negotiations process has also been mired in litigation from opponents of outdoor dining, including residents complaining of noise and sanitation issues as well as disability rights activists who rely on cars.
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