TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tom Ferrucci from The Broadway League: Perspectives on Street Vending Regulations
3:22:39
·
149 sec
Tom Ferrucci, representing The Broadway League, delivers a testimony on proposed street vending regulations. While expressing no position on Intros 0065 through 0072, The Broadway League opposes Intros 0074 and 0075 due to concerns about increased congestion and enforcement challenges in Midtown Manhattan, especially around the Times Square area. Highlighting the unique environment of Times Square as a cultural hub, Ferrucci stresses the potential impact of these proposals on pedestrian and vehicle access to theaters, as well as the recent uptick in crime near newly opened marijuana stores.
Speaker 49
3:22:39
Hi.
3:22:40
I'm Tom Ferucci.
3:22:40
I'm the director of governmental affairs with the Broadway League.
3:22:43
I realized time is short, so I will move to my test mark very quickly.
3:22:47
I did submit a full statement on behalf of the Broadway League, so I'll I'll just cut directly to it.
3:22:52
The Broadway League has no position on intro 6 be 5 through 72.
3:22:56
However, we do oppose intros 0074, repealing the misdemeanor criminal penalties with general and mobile food vendors and 75 permitting street vendors, the event within 2 feet of the curb.
3:23:09
We believe these proposals would add to the congestion in Midtown and heighten the significant enforcement challenges facing the city.
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Times Square is the hub of the Broadway Theatre district and a major cultural venue in Midtown Manhattan.
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The pedestrian intersection has one of the highest attendance rates of any attraction in the world.
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Estimated at 60,000,000 people annually.
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The designation of Broadway And Outdoor Plaza has only increased traffic and attracted an overwhelming number of street performers, custom characters, vendors and push cart vendors.
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Navigating Midtown is a significant burden, and the array of sidewalk activity regularly drives pedestrians into the streets.
3:23:43
Diverting attention from storefronts and making foot and vehicle access to our theaters extremely challenging.
3:23:48
Desiree is also seeing a recent proliferation of crime around the recently opened marijuana stores.
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Allowing vending carts to sit within 2 feet from the curb reduces available space for vehicles at pedestrian transit contributes to the overcrowding and disorder in the neighborhood further.
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City resources are already over taxed.
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FDNY, NYPD, and other agencies work to enforce law laws and ensure public safety, eliminating misdemeanor criminal penalties for general and food vendors sends the message that the city does not take these offenses seriously.
3:24:17
It invites flagrant violation of the law.
3:24:19
I would also like to briefly note that, well, not before you today, the league would cost you against any legislation lifting the cap on authorized vetting permits unless the expansion was specific to locations outside the overwhelmed theater district.
3:24:32
Thank you for this opportunity.
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On behalf of the Broadway community, the legal applauds account was ongoing dedication to addressing these issues in a fair and balanced manner.
3:24:40
And I do just want to reiterate that we are talking specifically about Times Square, a very unique environment, that when other legislation are having to do with vending is introduced, that how it's gonna affect that particular area needs to be considered
Speaker 13
3:24:53
Rashaan has expired.
Speaker 49
3:24:54
They they they let the less Okay.
Speaker 1
3:24:56
You need.
3:24:57
Thank you.
3:24:58
Thank you.
3:24:58
Thank you for your testimony.
3:25:06
Okay.
3:25:06
We're gonna recall a number of names.