Thursday, July 2, 2020

Mayor de Blasio Daily City update July 2, 2020


  Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, everybody. Well, what we've seen during this crisis is people innovating, people coming up with ingenious ideas to address the challenges we face. New Yorkers doing what New Yorkers do best, being creative, being resourceful. And so, we've seen some great ideas, and sometimes one great idea meets another great idea and they come together and create something even better, something really, really special. And that's what we're going to talk about to begin today, the idea of Open Streets meeting the idea of Open Restaurants, coming together to create something very special for this summer in New York City. So, we have two initiatives that have been tremendously successful. Open Restaurants, fantastic – the impact it’s had helping restaurants come back, bringing back their employees, giving people a livelihood, allowing New Yorkers to enjoy our amazing restaurants again. Open Streets, free space for kids to play, families to come out. Both have come together wonderfully.

Now, let's remember we made a decision that we could not go ahead with indoor dining, given everything that we're seeing around the country, all the problems, really troubling realities in other parts of the country, and a lot of it connected to bars and restaurants. So, we have to double down on Open Streets and Open Restaurants and bring them together to address the situation and give maximum options to our restaurants, to their employees. And also, we know the people want it. We've seen an incredible, incredible response from the people in New York City. So, starting this weekend, 22 Open Streets will also have Open Restaurants on them. And some of them will be existing Open Streets, some will be new, but it's going to be amazing because it’s going to key into some of the places in our city where we have extraordinary restaurants, concentrated in one place. People love to go there in any time, but now imagine being able to enjoy it all alfresco. Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, Little Italy Mulberry Street here in Manhattan.

Think about what is possible, if we could make them centerpieces of outdoor dining – taking a tough situation, turning into something good. We're going to do it all over the five boroughs. We're going to work with Business Improvement Districts and local alliances and associations that have been key partners in the Open Streets. And this will be for Friday nights and weekends, the times when people most want to come out to the restaurants and we think it's going to be something very special. So, 2.6 miles of Open Streets will be part of this dining initiative. And this is some initial ones I mentioned, more are coming in places like Dyckman Street in northern Manhattan, others to come as we go along. So, we're very excited. It is going to open up a world of possibilities and get a lot of people back to their jobs. We want to help working people.
This is going to help a lot.

I'm knocking on wood, but we know that if all goes the way we're doing it now we're making steady progress on the health care front. We're making steady progress on the restart. We can bring it together and have a really strong fall, but a lot of it hinges on our schools, reopening our schools safely, successfully. We've said, I believe it, it's going to have to be the greatest school year in the history of New York City public schools. And everyone shares that goal. And you could see the emotion earlier this week when we had the citywide graduation ceremony, how much people are feeling this moment in history, how much we have to support our kids.

We are doing the work right now to make September successful, to make the new school year successful. I want to thank the unions who represent the people who do the work that includes, of course, UFT, CSA, DC 37, all the unions that represent the people working in our school system. They have been at the table every day, literally, in the planning of the new school year. And it's been a very cooperative approach. On top of that, we've asked for the voices of parents to guide us. So, this is astounding. The DOE did a survey of parents and they got 400,000 responses – that is not a small sample size – 400,000 people answered the survey. And here's the most important fact, 75 percent of our New York City public school parents want to send their kids back to school in September. They feel ready now. They know that's what they want to do.

So, we're full steam ahead for September – the goal, of course, to have the maximum number of kids in our schools as we begin schools. And we know that there's going to be a lot of challenges. We know there's just sheer logistical challenges with schools that were overcrowded before the coronavirus and now have to practice social distancing. But we're going to make it work to the maximum in each school and we're going to work with the scheduling realities to find a way. And we're going to hope and pray in the meantime that the scientific community makes progress on this disease because that's what will really opened up the ability to get back 100 percent.  But in the meantime, a lot of work going on. Chancellor Carranza, meeting later today with principals to hone their plans specifically on how much each school will be able to bring back its kids. What's the number each school can hit in terms of bringing back kids safely with distancing. And, of course, the goal and the focus will always be health and safety first for our kids, for our families, for all the people that work in our schools.

Now we are going to, of course – as part of the school reopening, what will you see? You'll see daily cleanings – deep cleanings after each day to make sure the schools, top to bottom, are safe. You're going to see constant use of face coverings. They'll be provided for free for anyone who needs them – kids, adults alike. Everyone will be expected to wear face coverings. You'll see social distancing. That six-foot rule will be in effect. You'll see a lot of features to make it easy for kids and adults in the school building to stay safe, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer all over the building. These are the kinds of things that we need to do to give people confidence, make sure they're safe, and we'll be doing that and preparing for that in the months ahead and continuing to stay close to the folks who do the work and parents as we prepare these plants.

Okay. Now I'm going to switch gears quickly and go to another topic that brings out a lot of passion in New Yorkers. Anybody who experiences this has a strong opinion about it. Yes, I'm talking about Alternate Side Parking. So, this week was the first week of a brand new approach in which we are only going to require folks, when alternate side parking is in effect, we're only going to require you to move your car once a week. No more twice a week, which has been the case in some neighborhoods. I think that's just unfair to everyone. It's going to be once a week from now on. Biggest change to Alternate Side Parking in the last two decades. This week has been a cleanup week. We've overall seen the city has stayed pretty clean. A couple of times we've had to do a cleanup. We're doing it this week. And then we will suspend the Alternate Side again the following week. So, from Sunday, July 5th through Sunday, July 12th, Alternate Side Parking will be suspended. And then we'll decide in the meantime if we need to pick it up again and when we need to pick it up again.

Now, I want to talk about one of the really painful stories within the very overall painful story of the coronavirus crisis in the city. When the coronavirus started to be on the minds of New Yorkers, one community already started to feel the pain of this crisis before it manifested for so many of the others, so many of the rest of us. We saw discrimination and bias against the Asian American community very, very early on. It was unfair. It was horrible. It was destructive. It was painful for members of the Asian American community. And we had to fight it then and we have to fight it now. We also know that a lot of the stores, the restaurants, the parts of the community that people depend on, they started to suffer. People weren't going to those stores and restaurants. They were suffering from discrimination early on in an economic way as well. 

Let me just conclude and say, I do want to take a brief moment to pay tribute to two great public servants who will be leaving the administration after long and distinguished stints. Freddi Goldstein, my press secretary after four years on our team and four great years and Wiley Norvell after nine years. So that takes him back to the time I was public advocate. He has been a mainstay of this team and both of them have contributed really, really greatly, not just to this team and the work we do here every day when we're talking to the press and talking to the people, but to helping run New York City in one of its toughest moments in our entire history. So to Freddi and Wiley, thank you on behalf of all of the people of New York City, and it is a reminder and I hope all of you just take a moment to appreciate our public servants because the folks here at City Hall from March 1st to today, the vast majority of them have not even thought about taking a day off. It has been nonstop and very, very long days, people around here 15-hour day is not new to them, and throughout the coronavirus crisis, it's been typical. Our public servants, our healthcare heroes, our first responders and so many more have kept the city running no matter what's been thrown at them. So a lot of times in the public discourse, you know, it's a cheap shot to put down people who work for the government and public servants. But I think our public servants have really, really stepped up in this crisis and they deserve our thanks more than ever. So please take a moment today to be thankful for all who do so much for us. Thank you, everyone. 

GHISLAINE MAXWELL CHARGED IN MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT FOR CONSPIRING WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN TO SEXUALLY ABUSE MINORS


Maxwell is Alleged to Have Facilitated, Participated in Acts of Abuse

Additionally Charged With Perjury in Connection With 2016 Depositions
  Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that GHISLANE MAXWELL was arrested this morning and charged with enticing a minor to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit both of those offenses, and perjury in connection with a sworn deposition.  The Indictment unsealed today alleges that between at least in or about 1994 through 1997, MAXWELL and co-conspirator Jeffrey Epstein exploited girls as young as 14, including by enticing them to travel and transporting them for the purpose of engaging in illegal sex acts.  As alleged, knowing that Epstein had a preference for young girls, MAXWELL played a critical role in the grooming and abuse of minor victims that took place in locations including New York, Florida, and New Mexico.  In addition, as alleged, MAXWELL made several false statements in sworn depositions in 2016.  MAXWELL is expected to be presented this afternoon in the in federal court in New Hampshire. This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Ghislaine Maxwell facilitated, aided, and participated in acts of sexual abuse of minors.  Maxwell enticed minor girls, got them to trust her, and then delivered them into the trap that she and Jeffrey Epstein had set. She pretended to be a woman they could trust.  All the while, she was setting them up to be abused sexually by Epstein and, in some cases, Maxwell herself.  Today, after many years, Ghislaine Maxwell finally stands charged for her role in these crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Preserving the innocence of children is among the most important responsibilities we carry as adults.  Like Epstein, Ms. Maxwell chose to blatantly disregard the law and her responsibility as an adult, using whatever means she had at her disposal to lure vulnerable youth into behavior they should never have been exposed to, creating the potential for lasting harm. We know the quest for justice has been met with great disappointment for the victims, and that reliving these events is traumatic. The example set by the women involved has been a powerful one. They persevered against the rich and connected, and they did so without a badge, a gun, or a subpoena - and they stood together. I have no doubt the bravery exhibited by the women involved here has empowered others to speak up about the crimes of which they've been subjected.”
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “The heinous crimes these charges allege are, and always will be abhorrent for the lasting trauma they inflict on victims. I commend our investigators, and law enforcement partners, for their continuing commitment to bringing justice to the survivors of sexual assault, everywhere.”
If you believe you are a victim of the sexual abuse perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI, and reference this case.
According to the Indictment[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:
From at least 1994 through at least 1997, GHISLAINE MAXWELL assisted, facilitated, and participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Jeffrey Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to MAXWELL and Epstein to be under the age of 18.  The victims were as young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by MAXWELL and Epstein, both of whom knew that their victims were in fact minors.  As a part and in furtherance of their scheme to abuse minor victims, MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and caused minor victims to travel to Epstein’s residences in different states, which MAXWELL knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse.
As alleged, MAXWELL enticed and groomed minor girls to be abused in multiple ways. For example, MAXWELL attempted to befriend certain victims by asking them about their lives, taking them to the movies or taking them on shopping trips, and encouraging their interactions with Epstein.  MAXWELL also acclimated victims to Epstein’s conduct simply by being present for victim interactions with Epstein, which put victims at ease by providing the assurance and comfort of an adult woman who seemingly approved of Epstein’s behavior.  Additionally, to make victims feel indebted to Epstein, MAXWELL would encourage victims to accept offers of financial assistance from Epstein, including offers to pay for travel or educational expenses.  MAXWELL also normalized and facilitated sexual abuse by discussing sexual topics with victims, encouraging them to massage Epstein, and undressing in front of a victim.
As MAXWELL and Epstein intended, these grooming behaviors left minor victims vulnerable and susceptible to sexual abuse by Epstein.  MAXWELL was then present for certain sexual encounters between minor victims and Epstein, such as interactions where a minor victim was undressed, and ultimately MAXWELL was present for sex acts perpetrated by Epstein on minor victims.  That abuse included sexualized massages during which a minor victim was fully or partially nude, as well as group sexualized massages of Epstein involving a minor victim where MAXWELL was present.
As alleged, minor victims were subjected to sexual abuse that included, among other things, the touching of a victim’s breasts or genitals, placing a sex toy such a vibrator on a victim’s genitals, directing a victim to touch Epstein while he masturbated, and directing a victim to touch Epstein’s genitals.  MAXWELL and Epstein’s victims were groomed or abused at Epstein’s residences in New York, Florida, and New Mexico, as well as MAXWELL’s residence in London, England.
Additionally, in 2016, while testifying under oath in a civil proceeding, MAXWELL repeatedly made false statements, including about certain specific acts and events alleged in the Indictment.
GHISLAINE MAXWELL, 58, is charged with one count of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, one count of conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and two counts of perjury, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES $80 MILLION IN FUNDING TO REBUILD 70 MULBERRY STREET, CREATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE


A three-month visioning process will solicit public ideas and feedback

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Lisette Camilo today announced $80 million in funding to rebuild 70 Mulberry Street, the creation of an advisory committee to support community engagement, and a three-month visioning process to gather public input about the future of the site. The City will explore available options to preserve the existing structure and seek to build consensus about the rebuilding process. To date, the City has participated in extensive conversations with the local community board, elected officials, building tenants, small business owners, and the public about the building and its future.

"In January, Chinatown lost the beating heart of its community: 70 Mulberry Street," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're working hand-in-hand with the community to preserve this building's rich history and bring it back to life again."

“Working with the residents of Chinatown, we have secured the funding necessary to rebuild this treasured site at the heart of the community,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “This historic building is important to the entire neighborhood and we want local voices to help drive its redevelopment.”

The City will prioritize options to preserve what is salvageable from the existing structure and a re-development that acknowledges the history and significance of the site. All building tenants who were displaced will be welcomed back when construction is completed. Since the January fire, the City successfully recovered the vast majority of tenant possessions that remained in the building, assisted with the relocation of tenants, and undertook work at the site to best ensure public safety. 

Members of the advisory committee will include each of the building’s tenants, as well as representatives appointed by Congresswoman Nydia Velằuez, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, State Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou, Councilmember Margaret Chin, and Manhattan Community Board 3. The committee will assist with the visioning process and engage community stakeholders.

The community visioning process is expected to begin this summer and stretch into the fall. Community visioning will gather public input about the future of the site and provide a forum to discuss all available options for its redevelopment.

The morning of the fire at 70 Mulberry Street, Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged the extensive damage to the building and expressed his commitment to either restore or replace the building for the benefit of the community and its cultural and non-profit tenants. Today’s announcement builds upon this commitment and will further empower the community to shape redevelopment efforts.  

“Chen Dance Center is absolutely thrilled and deeply appreciative of Mayor Bill de Blasio and DCAS Commissioner Lisette Camilo’s solid commitment for the rebuilding of 70 Mulberry Street, and their thoughtful actions to meet the needs of the tenants and the community,” said H.T. Chen from Chen Dance Center. “We look forward to joining the tenant organizations, city and state advisory members, and community stakeholders for the envisioning of the restored building and services for the community. 

“On behalf of the seniors served by the Chinatown Senior Center, CPC thanks Mayor de Blasio and DCAS Commissioner Camilo for their commitment to rebuilding 70 Mulberry Street,” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). “We recognize that this is a difficult fiscal year, so we greatly appreciate the $80 million allocation for the rebuilding effort. We look forward to working with elected officials, city agencies, and local leaders in the community engagement process to envision the future of this historic building, ensuring it can continue to serve the Chinatown community. The seniors of the CPC Chinatown Senior Center are eager to return home to 70 Mulberry Street, which for more than 40 years has provided a hot meal, human services, arts and cultural activities, ESOL classes, and more to over 300 seniors per day.”

“CMP is grateful for the Mayor and City Council's commitment of $80 million toward rebuilding 70 Mulberry Street despite this challenging time,” said Hong Shing Lee, Chinese Manpower Group. “It not only provides the tenant organizations a bright prospective for the immediate future, it also offers the community a positive and definitive reassurance that 70 Mulberry Street will continue to be a beacon of the community.” 

“The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is emboldened and encouraged by the prioritization that Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Lisette Camilo have placed on rebuilding 70 Mulberry Street for the Chinatown community,” said Nancy Yao Maasbach, President of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). “They have listened deeply to the tenants and community in the tragic aftermath of the fire on January 23, 2020. DCAS’ commitment to preserving salvageable components of the existing structure and upgrading the building construction for broad community use reassures MOCA that the $80 million funding investment in 70 Mulberry, its tenants, and the community will contribute to a stronger New York City overall and will provide dividends for generations.”

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 7/2/2020 - Part 2


There has been an increase in car and bicycle thefts in Council District 13. Lock your cars, bicycles and keep your valuable items hidden to prevent theft and damage. Please find the list of NCOs in the NYPD 45th and 49th Precincts below.
As we get closer to the 4th of July, our office has received many complaints about fireworks being set off around the clock, disturbing communities and quality of life in our district. An astounding 8,967 complaints of illegal fireworks have been reported to the City’s 311 system. In NY, fireworks are illegal and using them can be dangerous. Let's all be safe this July 4th!

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 7/2/2020 - Part 1


Dear Friends:

I hope you and your families are continuing to stay well as we make strides and cautiously move forward.

While we prepare to mark July 4th, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many parades, firework displays and celebrations are canceled. We would have loved to celebrate in person as always, but we have to put the safety and health of our communities first, celebrate differently and dedicate this July 4th to the strength and resilience of NYC and to the service and dedication of our first responders, medical personnel and essential employees. 

Passing the city’s budget is one of the most important duties of the New York City Council. Earlier this week, the Mayor and Council reached an agreement on an $88 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021. And while I was able to secure one million dollars in funding for programing and over seven million dollars in capital improvements for our district, I had to cast my vote against the overall spending package as I believe this budget could have gone much further in providing the relief that New Yorkers deserve especially during these difficult times. 

Since the start of the pandemic our office has done over 90 food giveaway events in our district to help our neighbors in need. We are greateful to GrowNYC, Catholic Charities, ICNA Relief, AAOHA, Bronx Community Council, Martin Brower Distributors, Toli Management and others for their generosity. Starting next week if anyone in District 13 is in need of food, please check the attached flier for Food Pantries in District 13 or contact our office.

To ensure you receive the best assistance with any issues, please contact us at (718) 931-1721, email us at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov and follow us on social media for the most updated news.

May this Independence Day bring prosperity and harmony to your families and may the stories of courage and selflessness of our First Responders, US troops, Medical Personnel and Essential Employees make this July 4th memorable by counting our blessings and truly appreciating our freedom and democracy.

May God bless the United States of America!

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj
District 13, Bronx
"Passing the city’s budget is one of the most important duties of the New York City Council. Earlier this week, the Mayor and Council reached an agreement on an $88 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021. And while I was able to secure one million dollars in funding for programing and over seven million dollars in capital improvements for our district, I had to cast my vote against the overall spending package.
It was a hard decision but I felt that the budget didn’t represent the best interest of District 13 and the Bronx. First, our community pays the highest effective property tax rate than any other district in the entire city but yet this budget does nothing to address this injustice – and actually goes even further in unfairly burdening the renters and homeowners of our community. Secondly, the COVID-19 crisis has devastated lives, families and business. I believe this budget could have gone much further in providing the relief that New Yorkers deserve. For instance, locally owned businesses are barely staying afloat – and far too many have completely shut down – but this budget doesn’t set aside a single penny in grants or loans to help community-based businesses keep their doors open. Lastly, as we head into the summer, sufficient youth employment will be critical in ensuring that our young adults have constructive opportunities to learn, help provide for their families and contribute to our community. I believe that this budget could have gone much further in that regard.
These are just a few of the reasons that I couldn’t in good faith support the budget presented to my colleagues for review and approval. But now that the budget has been passed, I will work to make sure that District 13 gets its fair share of funding and I will continue my fight to secure tax relief for a community that is already overburdened."

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj
District 13, Bronx


MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES LOCATIONS FOR EXPANSION OF OUTDOOR DINING OPTIONS


Program will provide more street space for seating on select restaurant corridors throughout the five boroughs

 Mayor de Blasio today revealed the first 22 locations for the expansion of outdoor dining options under an initiative that combines two popular programs, Open Streets and Open Restaurants. The program expands restaurant seating options onto car-free streets for select corridors throughout the five boroughs. Selected corridors will be operational on weekends starting tomorrow evening, Friday, July 3.

Twenty-two locations citywide will be open to pedestrians and have been approved for expanded street dining. Another 10-20 corridors will be approved beginning Friday, July 17. Restaurants on these corridors will be able to place seating farther away from the curb than other Open Restaurants participants, and the remaining street space will be open to pedestrian traffic.

“Combining our popular Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs will give more New Yorkers the space they deserve to enjoy the outdoors safely – and give small businesses the chance to rebuild after facing unprecedented challenges this spring,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I’m excited to enjoy more outdoor meals soon, and we look forward to expanding the program in the coming weeks.”

“As we head into the July 4th weekend, we are excited to be able to start giving restaurants the additional room they need to welcome more customers, so that we can all work together to rebuild this key sector of our local economy in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We thank everyone from all the BIDs and other neighborhood organizations who made the case that expanding the vision of our Open Streets program to grow outdoor dining will be good for New Yorkers’ quality of life and the city’s bottom line.”

The locations announced today are focused on streets that are already participating in the Open Streets program, on corridors represented by organizations that have worked with DOT on street closures in the past. The second tranche of locations will include additional applicants, such as ad hoc groups of restaurants that coordinate through a single entity acting as a partner organization.

The hours of operation for this new expanded seating option for restaurants will be from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday nights, and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Expanded seating will last until Labor Day.

Organization
Street
From 
To
Borough
Belmont BID
Arthur Ave
E 188th St
Crescent Ave
Bronx
DUMBO
Dock St
Front St
Water St
Brooklyn
DUMBO
Main St
Plymouth St
Water St
Brooklyn
DUMBO
Washington St
Water St
Front St
Brooklyn
DUMBO
Anchorage Place
Water St
Front St
Brooklyn
Park Slope 5th Ave BID
5th Ave
Dean St
Park Pl
Brooklyn
Red Hook Business Alliance
Reed St
Conover St
Van Brunt St
Brooklyn
Chinatown BID
Doyers St
Bowery
Pell St
Manhattan
Uptown Grand Central
E 101st St
Lexington Ave
Park Ave
Manhattan
Meatpacking BID
Gansevoort St
Washington St
W 13th St
Manhattan
Meatpacking BID
9th Ave
14th St
15th St
Manhattan
Meatpacking BID
13th St
Hudson St
Washington St
Manhattan
Meatpacking BID
Little W 12th St
9th Ave
Washington St
Manhattan
Flatiron Partnership
Broadway
25th St
28th St
Manhattan
LES Partnership
Orchard St
Delancey St
Grand St
Manhattan
LES Partnership
Broome St
Ludlow St
Allen St
Manhattan
Times Square Alliance
W 46th St
8th Ave
9th Ave
Manhattan
Little Italy Merchants Association
Mulberry St
Hester St
Broome St
Manhattan
Little Italy Merchants Association
Hester St
Mulberry St
Mott St
Manhattan
Bayside Village BID
Bell Blvd
39th Ave
41st Ave
Queens
Bayside Village BID
41st Ave
Bell Blvd
214th Pl
Queens
New Dorp BID
New Dorp Ln
S. Railroad Ave
Hylan Blvd
Staten Island

BIDs and community-based organizations can apply here. The City will quickly review applications and consult with elected officials and Community Boards to ensure optimal safety and appropriate design.

“I thank the Mayor for his innovative approach of using Open Streets for outdoor dining. This is a much-needed lifeline for restaurants struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope to see this program expand in the coming days to areas in Brooklyn that have not historically been prioritized for safe streets and economic development initiatives, like East New York and Canarsie,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
"I'm thrilled to share the news that Bayside's Bell Boulevard was selected to participate in the Open Streets: Restaurants initiative, which gives restaurant owners the power to expand dining on the weekends and offer more diners food service in the open air, giving New Yorkers a safe way to enjoy a meal out while supporting their favorite local eateries," said Council Member Paul Vallone, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. "I thank the Bayside BID for their partnership and welcome this economic boon for our local restaurants, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery for New York City."

“Thank you to DOT, SBS, the NYPD, and the Mayor for giving us a fair hearing on this plan and agreeing to implement it so quickly. New Dorp Lane, with almost 30 restaurants, is a true ‘restaurant row,’ and with these closures those restaurants who call it home will have the opportunity to dramatically increase their outdoor capacity. This is a win-win-win since it will help local businesses survive, it will allow for appropriate social distancing, and it will give Staten Islanders a safe outdoor place to enjoy a meal with their families on weekend nights," said Council Member Steven Matteo.

"Between our customers and the business owners, it’s hard to tell who is happier,” said Christine Silletti, Executive Director, Bayside Village BID.

“While Little Italy in the Bronx has been operating during COVID-19 due to our essential businesses including butchers, pharmacies, fish markets, delis, bakeries, pizzerias, and many other specialty stores and services, we have looked forward to reopening our restaurants which make up the other half of our historic, multi-generational neighborhood. Streets will remain open during normal business hours every day while the weekend evenings will be a new opportunity for visitors to experience our own Little Italy in the Bronx piazza-style al fresco dining. The Belmont BID is thankful to the NYPD 48th Precinct, led by Captain Joseph Tompkins and the Department of Transportation for their help, coordination and support of this initiative,” said Peter Madonia, Chairman of the Belmont BID.