Council Member Restler and Chair Menin Discuss Upcoming Legislation to Revamp Outdoor Dining

Less 70% fewer restaurants are operating today.

Is that right?

Could I just get a yes-no on that?

So 2600 are operating today as we speak.

And you said a peak was 8,000.

So we're talking about 2600.

And then we have a number of others that are in the process, and we have some who have dropped out of the process or are not eligible.

I just more to these numbers.

You need to dig into them a little bit.

Happy to dig in with the rate of from temporary to permanent.

Um the rate uh is similar to what Paris has, which had a pre-existing program as well.

Uh beside the point of whatever happened in Paris.

We know what we've done in New York City.

We know that restaurants and and bars want this in New York City.

We've seen how much great a success it is in New York City, and we've seen that this administration and this legislation killed the program.

And we see only a small fraction of the number of restaurants and establishments are actually operating outdoor dining today.

We've prioritize parking spots over having space for our bars and restaurants to be able to expand into our communities and make our streets more vibrant and dynamic, expand employment at our small businesses.

This is not working.

So I am working on legislation to totally revamp outdoor dining because I think it's a failure.

I disagree with your assessment.

My assessment is failure.

And I think we really need to get to work on how to make this a success.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Ressler.

And I just want to say I agree.

I don't think you are here for part of my opening remark where I called it an unmitigated disaster.

And I'm urging and I hope, yes, and and I do hope that in because I've got a number of LS requests to revamp it, too.

I hope that you will consider this idea of transferring the program to DCWP, a licensing agency as opposed to a transit agency.

I think a lot of the problems uh come from the fact that we need a licensing agency with a walk-in licensing center.

DCWP has historic expertise and sidewalk cafe licenses.

We certainly did not have these problems when that agency was doing that.

You know, I I just will say I during the legislative process I thought DCWP was a more logical home.

But you're welcome to continue those conversations as we go through our drafting process and would love to work with you together.

And I think if DOT wants to own this program long term, we just need to see significant improvement.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I do want to ask one further question before I turn over to Councilmember Lewis.