NEW YORK — Twenty-two streets in New York City will be closed off to vehicles and be used for outdoor dining options for restaurants, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.
The program combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs, expanding outdoor seating onto car-free streets.
This goes into effect on Friday nights and weekends beginning July 3.
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.
The announcement was made as the city put a pause in resuming indoor dining due to concerns of seeing an increase in cases linked to bars and restaurants in other states.
Currently, 6,600 restaurants are taking advantage of the al fresco dining restaurant initiative.
“Outdoors is where we need to be to the maximum extent possible this summer as we fight back this disease,” said de Blasio.
“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,” the mayor said.
“I’m excited to enjoy more outdoor meals soon, and we look forward to expanding the program in the coming weeks.”
The 22 locations consist of 2.62 miles of NYC streets, and the mayor anticipates another 10 to 20 corridors will be approved by mid-July.
The following streets will be blocked off to vehicular traffic for restaurant use in outdoor dining:
- Bronx: Arthur Ave
- Brooklyn: 5th Ave., Reed St., Dock St., Main St., Washington St., Anchorage Pl.
- Manhattan: Doyers St., E 101 St., Gansevoort St., 9th Ave, 13th St., Little W. 12th St, Broadway, Orchard St., Broome St., W. 46th St., Mulberry St., Hester St.
- Queens: Bell Blvd., 41st Ave
- Staten Island: New Dorp Ln.
