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Analysis of low application rates compared to the temporary program
1:41:00
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87 sec
DOT officials respond to concerns about the low number of applications for the permanent outdoor dining program compared to the temporary program during the pandemic.
- DOT claims the current application rate is good, with about 4,000 applications out of an estimated 6,000-8,000 active participants in the temporary program
- The 13,144 figure from the temporary program is explained as including businesses that may have signed up but never used the option or are no longer in business
- DOT compares New York's program favorably to Paris in terms of participation rates
- Officials express a desire to increase participation and plan for more outreach in the future
Julie Menin
1:41:00
Now why do you think so few restaurants are applying?
1:41:03
You mentioned a little over 3,000 statistic, but there were 13,144 businesses participating in outdoor dining at the end of the city's temporary restaurants program.
1:41:14
So the the we sort of have an abysmal application rate.
1:41:17
Why is that?
Margaret Forgione
1:41:18
So we actually think we've had a good application rate.
1:41:21
At the height of the program during COVID, we had about six to 8,000 restaurants operating.
1:41:27
The 13,000 number is people that may have signed up.
1:41:30
They may or may not have ever even used the option.
1:41:32
They may have stayed in business.
1:41:34
They may have gone out of business.
1:41:35
We didn't require a restaurant to tell us if they were setting up or not.
1:41:39
So we think the number we're talking about is about six to 8,000, and we have, at this point, about 4,000 applications.
1:41:47
And just as a, just to mention that a comparable program to New York is probably Paris, and they have not seen that percentage of people signing up between the temporary and the permanent program.
1:41:59
So we actually think we're doing pretty well.
1:42:01
However, we're resting on our laurels.
1:42:03
We love the dining out program.
1:42:05
We want more people to participate.
1:42:07
As we get through this first year, and we're gonna have time to really focus on even more outreach, we will go out to communities.
1:42:13
We'll work with any of the council members, boards, whoever, and we will try to solicit more people and get them in the program.
1:42:19
And Michelle, do you want to add anything?
Michelle Craven
1:42:21
I was just going add that we are seeing new applications every day, so the numbers keep going up regularly.