What's happening in our community

Community Board #13 Newsletter

Open Storefronts

Overview

The Open Storefronts program assists existing ground-floor storefront businesses who want to use outdoor areas on a temporary basis. The program allows eligible businesses to conduct activity on sidewalks, on roadways in the Open Streets: Restaurants program, or a combination of both. In addition to businesses engaged in retail trade, repair stores, personal care services, and dry-cleaning and laundry services are able to use outdoor space for seating, queuing, or display of dry goods. For a list of eligible retail activities, please visit Open Storefronts FAQ 2.

The Open Storefronts program is available October 30 to December 31, 2020.

Open Storefronts Siting Requirements

Siting Criteria for Sidewalks

Objects placed on sidewalk must be up against the wall of the business or as close as possible
Sidewalk objects and activities may not exceed business frontage
Must leave an 8' clear path for pedestrians. Eligible businesses who can currently display merchandise as-of-right or with a stoopline stand license can continue to do so under existing regulations and do not need to certify under Open Storefronts for the existing eligible merchandise
Must conduct eligible activities and place outdoor objects no more than 5’ from the property line (i.e. from external facing wall of the business)
Outdoor objects must be at least 3' from the adjacent restaurants, or 1’ away from other businesses participating in the Open Storefronts program
Outdoor objects and goods cannot block subway grates, fire hydrants, utility hardware, Siamese water connection, bus stop waiting areas, subway entrances, and fire exits. Vault entrances not exclusively accessible by the business can only be blocked in coordination with other tenants. Objects cannot block doors, including entry and exit doors to other spaces, and cannot block driveways or garage entrances unless they are used exclusively by the business participating in the Open Storefronts program
For clear path purposes, parking meters, traffic signs and tree pits with flush gratings (without tree guards) are exempt. All other above-grade structures are considered obstructions
Merchandise placed outside cannot exceed 5' in height above the level of the sidewalk
Collapsible tents and umbrellas with weighted base must have at least two (2) sides open and must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions. A single area or area of combined / tied together tents and umbrellas should not exceed 400 square feet in size
Tents and umbrellas should not be used during inclement weather such as high wind condition. Sign up for DOB’s Weather Advisory Subscription.
Outdoor objects and goods, including tents and umbrellas, must be provided by applicant and must be removed from the sidewalk when a business is closed, excluding stoopline stands (in line with current regulation). Permanent structures cannot be built or placed on the sidewalk
Hours of operation will be normal business hours

Siting Criteria for Eligible Businesses on Open Streets: Restaurants Corridors

Applicant must provide emergency lane of 15’. Where this is not possible on a given roadway, organizations must get approval from NYC DOT and FDNY to ensure emergency access at all times
Eligible businesses may conduct eligible activities on roadway up to the 15’ emergency lane for the duration of the temporary street closure
Bike lanes may be included in the 15’ designated emergency lane
Roadway objects must be sited at least 15’ from a hydrant and 8’ from a crosswalk
Roadway objects may not be placed beyond width of business frontage
Individual businesses must delineate their footprint with some type of barrier element, although these must be removed at the end of each day
Outdoor objects and goods must be provided by applicant and must be removed from the expanded zone at the end of each day
Merchandise placed outside cannot exceed 5' in height above the level of the sidewalk
Hours of operation will be normal business hours unless they exceed Open Streets: Restaurants limitations, in which case those limitations will apply
Collapsible tents and umbrellas with weighted base must have at least 2 sides open and must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions. A single area or area of combined / tied together tents or umbrellas should not exceed 400 square feet in size
Tents and umbrellas should not be used during inclement weather such as high wind condition. Sign up for DOB’s Weather Advisory Subscription.
Other than barriers, permanent structures cannot be built or placed on the roadway

Apply Online

NYC is allowing businesses to self-certify that they meet program requirements.

Submitting an application is an acknowledgement that the establishment understands and agrees to all applicable terms and conditions and all applicable laws and guidance. If an establishment is not compliant, the City may revoke or suspend its authorization at any time during the program period.

NYC DOT may immediately revise, terminate or suspend, for a period of time and without prior notice, the outdoor area usage based on valid complaints, lack of ADA access, need for repairs, or for any other reason.

>>Open Storefronts Information & Application

*Groups of three (3) or more businesses on at least one single block, may join together to apply. Please visit Open Streets: Restaurants for more information and the group application.

For help completing the application or for translation assistance, please call the SBS Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).

Next Steps

Businesses that self-certified will receive an email from the City authorizing outdoor retail on the City’s sidewalk and/or roadway in front of the establishment, in accordance with all applicable terms and conditions, laws and guidance. Businesses should print and prominently display their Open Storefronts email confirmation.

Resources

Contact

For help completing the application please call the SBS Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). NYC launched this small business hotline to answer the most pressing questions of small business owners as they prepare to re-open. Small Business Advocates and Compliance Advisors will monitor the hotline and have been equipped with the latest guidelines and regulations to share with business owners.

NYC will rely on each establishment's compliance with all of these terms and conditions and all applicable guidance. If you want to report an issue, concern or violation about an Open Storefronts, please contact NYC311.

If you have questions or concerns about the Open Storefronts program, please contact NYC DOT online.

Department of Sanitation

Now Hiring: Emergency Snow Laborers for Winter Season

Snow Laborers Crucial in Clearing Snow and Ice After Big Winter Storms;

New for this Season: Advance Online Registration Required

The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced that registration is now open for those interested in working as Emergency Snow Laborers for the upcoming winter season. Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who shovel snow and clear ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets around the five boroughs after heavy snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $15 per hour to start, and $22.50 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week.

To better allow for social distancing and COVID-related protocols, those interested in becoming a Snow Laborer must register for a 15-minute application appointment at nyc.gov/snow. Registration appointments take place at the Department’s 59 garages.

Snow laborers must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and capable of performing heavy physical labor. All applicants must bring the following items at the time of registration:

Two small photos (1 ½ square)
Original and copy of two forms of identification
Social Security card

To comply with COVID-related safety protocols, potential Snow Laborers should wear a mask or face covering while at the registration appointment. Applicants should not attend the appointment if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, if they recently traveled to a state with high rates of COVID-19 transmission, or if they recently had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

“When the City gets a big winter storm, our Snow Laborers are vital in helping the City get back up and running,” said Acting Commissioner Edward Grayson. “While our Sanitation Workers operate the salt spreaders and snow plows, the Snow Laborers concentrate their efforts on pedestrian areas such as bus stops, crosswalks and step streets. Clearing these pedestrian areas is important, and the work of Snow Laborers is one crucial way of getting that work done.”

While Snow Laborers work on some pedestrian areas, property owners are still responsible for keeping sidewalks abutting their clear and accessible. More information at nyc.gov/snow.

About the New York City Department of Sanitation

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe and clean by collecting, recycling and disposing of waste, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 705 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.