New York considers making outdoor dining a permanent fixture
Gulf Times
The New York City Council held a hearing on Tuesday to consider a plan to make sidewalk dining - first allowed in 2020 as a temporary measure to help blunt economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic - part of the new normal.
The plan to give permanent status to thousands of 'streateries' outside of restaurants has the support of Mayor Eric Adams and the New York Hospitality Alliance, an industry association.
Opponents say outside dining has created unsanitary conditions, helped draw more rats to sidewalks, drawn noise complaints in some neighbourhoods and reduced the number of available parking spaces.
The Uniformed Firefighters Association has complained the sheds have narrowed streets so much as to delay their response and prevent them from safely raising ladders to windows.
