After a great deal of noise, anger and even a lawsuit brought by a citizen committee against New York City, complaining about the restaurants sheds that have been blocking traffic, contributing to the proliferation of rats and become havens for the homeless and mentally ill, Mayor Adams struck down New Yorkers’ hopes of the solution they were looking for.
Contrary to the hopes of tens of thousands of aggrieved parties across the city Adams’ new plan only targets sheds associated with restaurants that have already closed, leaving hundreds more to remain in place.
He stated that, “These deserted dining sheds have become eyesores for neighbors and havens for rats, and we are going to tear them down.”
This was followed by an initial blitz that saw the city remove 24 sheds of now-closed restaurants within days. Despite his support for the removal of some sheds, it became clear that Adams is committed to promoting outdoor dining, “With this initiative, we are also taking the essential step towards a permanent Open Restaurants program that all New Yorkers can be proud of every day…I want to say it loud and clear: Outdoor dining is here to stay.”
