Our city’s sidewalks are about to get more crowded. Last Thursday, the City Council passed legislation that will make 4,000 additional street vendor permits available throughout the five boroughs over the next 10 years. This comes amid a pandemic that has caused a seismic shift in how we use our streets, sidewalks and plazas. And it highlights the critical need for a coordinated strategy to ensure these public spaces catalyze our economic recovery rather than undercut it.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Reed/NY City Council
“We need to use our City’s space in new and creative ways to make sure the cultural community can perform and create,” Councilman Van Bramer said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that would allow eligible art and cultural institutions or cultural venues to use approved open, public street space for artistic or cultural events, and a zoning map amendment to establish a Special Flushing Waterfront District.
The first bill requires the City to create an “Open Culture” program similar to the concept of the “Open Restaurant” outdoor dining program launched this year. There would be an application fee of $20 for participation in the program, to cover costs and discourage frivolous applications.
The Museum of the City of New York opened an outdoor photo installation this summer titled “New York Responds,” Photo courtesy of MCNY
The New York City Council on Thursday passed legislation permitting cultural institutions to use public outdoor space for events and performances. Sponsored by Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, the bill requires the city to create the “Open Culture” program, modeled after the city’s successful outdoor dining initiative, which lets restaurants set up seating on sidewalks and some streets closed to cars. The program is set to be established by March 1, 2021.
Cultural institutions and venues would pay $20 for participation in the program, overseen by the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM), Department of Transportation, Department of Buildings, the NYPD, FDNY, and other agencies directed by the mayor. Under the legislation, DOT would have to provide a list of eligible open spaces by February 1.
NYC Musicians, Comedians, Dancers & More Will Be Able To Perform Outdoors Starting This Spring
arrow A ballerina performs in Robert Wagner Park for the virtual 2020 Battery Dance Festival steven pisano
Musicians, dancers, comedians, theatrical performers, and other artists will be able to perform outside around New York City starting this spring thanks to a new Open Culture program.
The City Council passed legislation on Thursday that allows any DCLA and Borough Arts Council funded artist and cultural organizations, venues or institutions to be able to utilize public outdoor spaces for ticketed events and performances. And any artist and venue can partner with an eligible organization for permits as well.