NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The town on Tuesday will think about making outdoor dining everlasting.
These constructions have been a lifeline for eating places in the course of the pandemic and now the method begins to make them keep, CBS2’s Dick Brennan reported Monday.
At 53rd Road and Ninth Avenue on the West Facet, each nook is roofed by an out of doors eating shed and restauranteurs say it’s what’s saved them afloat.
“I actually hope we are able to maintain it as a result of it helps enterprise It helps us and it helps New Yorkers,” mentioned Daniello Cannillo of Norma.
Cannillo mentioned the sheds have given his place practically twice the seating capability.
“It’s about 60 seats which is quite a bit. It’s like having a double restaurant, truthfully,” Cannillo mentioned.
READ MORE: NYC Takes Steps To Make Outdoor Dining Permanent Fixture On Streets And Sidewalks
A couple of blocks north at Route 66, the chorus is similar.
When requested what it might be like for his eatery with out the outside eating, “We might be completed. I wouldn’t be right here proper now speaking to you guys,” proprietor Richard Katehis mentioned.
The City Council will take up the way forward for outside eating to ascertain guidelines and create allow procedures. The town claims this system saved 100,000 jobs.
“We’re gonna go and listen to from the completely different businesses on how will we make this program everlasting,” Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez mentioned.
However not with out resistance.
“General, I believe it’s time has come and gone,” mentioned Isaac Komen of Greenwich Village.
READ MORE: Manhattan, Brooklyn Residents Sue City To Stop Permanent Outdoor Dining
Some residents say the sheds are eyesores, that they take away parking, and the rubbish attracts rats. They concern it might solely worsen.
“In New York Metropolis, there are 12,000 sheds at the moment on the market and there are 27,000 eating places in New York Metropolis, so in the event that they make this everlasting there can be 27,000 sheds,” mentioned Leif Arntzen of Greenwich Village.
Leif and Kathy Arntzen run their neighborhood block affiliation and say the streets of Greenwich Village are being crowded out.
“High quality of life is what it’s all about, however the Metropolis Council has to sluggish this down. It will probably’t be fast-tracked,” Kathy Arntzen mentioned.
The problem for the council is to discover a stability to fulfill each side.
“When it really works, it really works. When it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, 50-50,” mentioned Duane Watson of East Elmhurst.
So how lengthy earlier than the Metropolis Council will vote on a proposal? Members say they hope sooner moderately than later.