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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Mary Avancio, Resident of New York City, on Outdoor Dining Program
2:58:48
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117 sec
Mary Avancio, a long-time resident of New York City, provides testimony on the outdoor dining program, expressing concerns about enforcement, fairness, and the program's impact on the city. She urges caution in implementing a year-round program and calls for patience from the hospitality industry.
- Highlights the city's enforcement problem, particularly regarding outdoor dining
- Questions the practicality of doubling restaurant sizes without addressing issues like garbage placement, kitchen capacity, and bathroom accommodations
- Encourages the hospitality industry to be patient, realistic, and respectful of neighbors in implementing the program
Mary Avancio
2:58:48
Hello.
2:58:49
My name is Mary Avancio, resident of New York City for forty six years.
2:58:53
Our city is suffering and as Andrew Rigi stated at a community board meeting, New York City has an enforcement problem.
2:59:01
I agree with Andrew and and will add that that enforcement problem pertains to outdoor dining as well.
2:59:11
I love this city and want to see it thrive, but let's be clear, no other private industry has been afforded this opportunity.
2:59:20
Department of Transportation is simply trying to do their job properly and thoroughly and being pushed unfairly to expedite.
2:59:29
It is my opinion there are too many unanswered questions to decide this is a year round program.
2:59:36
Let us first determine how well it works, how it can live up to expectations for both the industry and New Yorkers.
2:59:46
I ask the industry players in this committee to consider these questions and statements.
2:59:51
When doubling the size of an establishment, where is that garbage placed if setups extend full frontage?
2:59:59
It sits in front of adjacent businesses and residences, an issue that is still not being addressed on applications.
3:00:08
How does a restaurant double its size and continue to operate out of the same size kitchen?
3:00:14
Is this realistic?
3:00:17
How does it double its customers and accommodate them with the same number of bathrooms?
3:00:23
I encourage the hospitality industry to be patient, realistic, and not greedy.
3:00:30
To communicate to applicants that they abide by guidelines and respect their neighbors.
3:00:36
This will be your pathway to success.
3:00:40
This is how we together will properly grow our city.
3:00:44
Thank you.