The New York City Council, after passing legislation that led to the decimation of outdoor dining in New York City, held a hearing Wednesday to demand answers on why the launch of the new outdoor dining program has been such a mess.
To be fair, there’s plenty of blame to go around: the Department of Transportation came up with a cumbersome application and strict design guidelines that made it difficult for restaurants to participate, and has been so slow to process applications that only a few dozen got final approval in time for the kickoff of roadway dining season this month.
But it was the Council’s legislation that made roadway dining seasonal, the biggest reason restaurants have fled from the program, and set fees that businesses must pay to participate. The law also created a months-long approval process including a community board review, a public hearing, and the chance for the City Council to intervene and kill an individual sidewalk cafe.
"This rollout, in short, has been nothing short of disastrous," said Upper East Side City Councilmember Julie Menin, the chair of the committee on consumer and worker protection.
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