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Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
An update on the future of curbside dining sheds
So the deadline has passed for restaurants to apply to be a permanent part of Dining Out NYC — the program that permitted the roadside sheds and more elaborate sidewalk cafes that sprung up during covid. And while there is no list to say who has applied and who hasn’t, the new rules are now in place: restaurants must now build compliant dining structures — no tall walls, no permanent roofs, all modular and moveable (see two photos) — and can only have them up between April 1 and Nov. 29.*
*Sidewalk cafes can be year-round, as they were before covid, but can no longer be enclosed.
That means that by November, all roadside sheds must be demolished; *enclosed* sidewalk cafes have to be demolished by then as well. And if a restaurant has not applied (and paid) to be part of the permanent program, their sheds must come down now.
So already we should see sheds coming down and in some cases we have. Gee Whiz demolished theirs in July; Zutto this spring.
So far about 3000 restaurants have applied citywide, out of approximately 10,000 citywide that had sheds. The Department of Transportation, which administers the program, has begun issuing fines to any restaurant that did not apply and that still has its shed up. The first fine is $500; the second is $1,000.
The rules for new setups are not simple, but you can review them here. Here’s my attempt at a shorthand:
- modular floors
- barriers filled with water only
- roofs made of fabric or panels of only certain materials
A there are strict rules on siting and distances:
- 20 feet on a vehicle’s approaching side of an intersection
- 8 feet on the non-approaching side of an intersection
- 15 feet from an open side subway stair entrance
- 5 feet from subway stair closed sides
- 15 feet from a fire hydrant
- street trees can not be pruned or included in any way in the seating area
- 5 feet from curb cuts, bus stop poles, Citi Bike stations, bike parking, drainage infrastructure
Now here’s the catch. If these things have to be disassembled each winter, where will they go? And the short answer: that’s the restaurant’s problem. The long answer: DOT is working with the private sector to create rentable outdoor dining setups with setup and breakdown services.
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Any update on when Zona on Harrison will be removing its massive sheds? They are beyond filthy and disgusting.
If you walk by the Zona shed late at night, you will see a dozen rats running around inside.Hard to believe that people unknowingly eat in there.
Not saying any shed in particular. I think all sheds have the possibility to drop food and feed the rats. I see rats all over the city, it’s still a huge issue. I say get all the sheds out of NYC. I respect everyone’s opinion, that’s just mine. Not talking about any restaurant in particular.
We wall want it to be something it is not capable of being
When is One White Street going to take down the shed? It’s an eye sore.
Still incredible how the restaurant sector gets prioritized.
The City did zero and continues to do zero for small retail, local shops and neighborhood businesses – which are especially suffering from high rent, ecommerce and shoplifting.
Violators like Walker’s (and others) should be fined. Walkers occupy BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET and force citizens to walk on uneven grates by taking over the sidewalk.
Restaurants should realize they are disrespecting neighbors.
Some restaurants have been responsive while others continue to hold on to their unused sheds. ( Anejo on Church has two sheds one hasn’t been used for at least a year while occupying the sidewalk with many tables). Why April to November? Why not June to October when it’s warm enough? There is really no reason for restaurants to have sheds on the streets period. Pandemic is over and lock down days are behind us, this is nothing move than a modified city give away. And how about the sneaky ‘additions’ ( Thai Diner in Little Italy as in former Belle Reve)? Many restaurants also fill the public space with random number of tables and huge planters surrounding them. Any rules for those?
One Zona Tribeca shed has been removed! Looks as if they are all finally coming down. I sincerely hope they power wash and bleach bomb their sidewalks and street afterwards. I refused to walk anywhere near that corner as it gave me the skeeves.