Several mayoral contenders are calling for a return to year-round outdoor dining, as frustrations mount with a bloated process that has resulted in only a few dozen licenses being approved so far out of thousands of applications.
City Comptroller Brad Lander released data last week that his office has received only 40 applications from the Department of Transportation out of more than 3,700 filed—sounding the alarm ahead of the April 1 return of roadway dining, which was relegated to seasonal status under legislation passed by the City Council. An even smaller number—34 as of Monday—have actually been finalized and issued, according to a City portal.