Pop-Up Cafes: The DOT’s Solution to Parking Surplus!

NY Post

The city wants to put more bars where there are usually cars.

The Department of Transportation is accepting applications to build a dozen of what it calls “pop-up cafes” in the parking lanes in front of restaurants.

Each “cafe” would be a public space transformed from July to November. They would be built on risers making them level with the sidewalk, have tables and chairs, and be ringed with a protective barrier of planters.

Construction could cost as much as $10,000 per site, and would be paid for by applicants for the businesses.

A test run of the program last summer (above) on Pearl Street in lower Manhattan included an espresso bar, Fika, and an Indian restaurant, Bombay’s.

“It helped business for sure,” said Fika barista Erin Steadman. “Normally, it was usually just commercial trucks and garbage in the front. It added a lot, and we were definitely more crowded than we usually are because of it.”

The city will accept applications for sites in all five boroughs for next year, with each permit requiring approval from a community board.

Permits will be issued to qualified applicants, with the sites evaluated based on geographical diversity, traffic safety and design considerations, according to a Department of Transportation spokesman.

Only restaurants that do not already have permits for sidewalk seating are eligible.

There are other stipulations. Applications will not even be considered if there is a moving lane of traffic directly next to the curb, a fire hydrant, an active bus stop or an active driveway.

Once approved, an eatery must install vertical elements, such as planters or umbrellas, so that the cafe is visible from vehicles, and use construction materials preferably from recycled products. It must also be publicly accessible.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Daniel Biederman, president of the Bryant Park Business Improvement District.

“The more sophisticated the sidewalk life of the city is, the better.”

Bob Gormley, district manager for Community Board 2, which encompasses Greenwich Village, SoHo, NoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, Hudson Square and Gansevoort Market, agrees.

“Our board looks favorably on this program, since we want to create more open space in the street,” he said.

“If the cost is a few parking spaces, depending on the location, it’s a good trade.”

7 Comments

  • huh

    i dont understnd. dont the restarants want parking so they get buisness if its not hard to park

  • Sara

    As if there isn’t a problem finding a parking spot already!! Where ARE we supposed to park our cars?? Are we supposed to do away with them? But then there’s the problem of too many bikes!! Is anyone offering suggestions??

  • ohis vorrff

    who pulls up to a store or a cafe .? we r not in the sticks or the country ..offcores during the off peak months…to manhatten u take the train ..in boro park u park on the side street and walk

  • Blurred women

    What’s with that? Don’t post if you don’t like it, but that’s just objectifying to women.