Open Plans Applauds City Council Outdoor Dining Proposal

New York, NY — In response to City Council Member Lincoln Restler’s introduction of City Council legislation on New York’s outdoor dining program, Open Plans Co-Executive Director Sara Lind released the following statement: 

“Over the last five years, New Yorkers have demonstrated that their appetite for outdoor dining is too large to be satisfied by existing regulations. So going forward, improving, strengthening, and lengthening the program is one of the best ways to make our streets welcoming to people, not just cars. The legislation introduced today is a major, much-needed step toward restoring both the scale and year-round schedule of the original program, while preserving key reforms that have helped address prior issues that arose. By restoring year-round outdoor dining and simplifying the process for restaurants, the City Council is making it possible for more businesses to succeed and creating more time and more ways for New Yorkers to enjoy public spaces.

“We thank Council Member Restler and all the bill’s co-sponsors for their leadership on this issue. We urge the full City Council to move quickly and decisively: New Yorkers deserve vibrant, people-friendly streets all year long.” 

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About Open Plans

Open Plans’ mission is to promote a people-first street culture that prioritizes community, active mobility, and connection. Founded in 1999, the nonprofit uses grassroots advocacy and policy changes to help transform how people experience New York City’s public spaces.