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Concerns and challenges with the new outdoor dining program
0:09:33
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116 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers outlines several issues that have arisen with the implementation of the new permanent outdoor dining program.
- DOT has struggled to process applications in a timely manner, with less than 2% of applications fully approved
- Businesses report difficulties with the application process, including onerous forms and lack of language accessibility
- Concerns about additional costs and seasonality requirements making the program unviable for some businesses
- Changes in regulations have excluded some restaurants that previously participated in outdoor dining
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:09:33
However, in the months leading up to the launch of open dining in April 2025, concerns were raised by businesses, advocates, and local officials about the program's implementation.
0:09:47
DOT has struggled to process applications in a timely manner.
0:09:52
As of 04/10/2025, just 60 restaurants, less than 2% of the applications received by DOT completed the entire outdoor dining application process and received revocable consent to operate a sidewalk or roadway cafe, which equates to less than 2% of the 3,400 applications received by DOT.
0:10:18
According to the New York Times, hundreds of applications were deemed incomplete by DOT.
0:10:24
The most common issue being restaurants failure to provide adequate information on their on their site plans.
0:10:32
Although conditional approvals have been granted, this process is still not where it should be.
0:10:39
Businesses have also reported issues with the application process including having to fill out onerous online forms and a lack of language accessibility.
0:10:50
We have also received complaints about additional costs associated with the program setup regulations and the required seasonality of the program.
0:11:00
This has impacted the participation of some restaurants because the approved setups are costly and the associated construction and storage costs make it too expensive and cumbersome to be viable for some businesses.
0:11:14
Finally, many of the rules promulgated by DOT for the locations of sidewalk cafes differ from the pre pandemic standards.
0:11:23
This has left out some restaurants that previously participated in the outdoor dining program.