NYC Outdoor Dining Rethink Up To Next Mayor, De Blasio Says

NEW YORK CITY — A growing backlash by some locals to outdoor dining in New York City could prompt officials to reconsider making the program permanent — just not under Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration.

De Blasio fielded a call Friday during WNYC's "Brian Lehrer Show" from a Nolita resident who claimed outdoor dining structures in her neighborhood are widely hated and destroyed the streetscape.

Hizzoner listened to her concerns but disagreed — as far as he's concerned, outdoor dining is here to stay.

"You could argue, 'Hey, should we reassess it for the future?' I don't — that's not my view," he said. "If people want to do that in the next administration, they can."

The city allowed outdoor dining amid restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic that barred people from eating indoors.

The program proved immensely popular, with structures popping up on streets across the five boroughs, and city officials moved to make it permanent.

But an increasing number of community boards — 29 out of 51, according to a recent Eater report — opposed a measure to expand where dining patios can go.

Mayor-elect Eric Adams has expressed support for making outdoor dining permanent.

"With our city still reeling from the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus, I am glad to see this program will now be made permanent," he said in a January statement. "As someone who worked as a dishwasher early in my career, I firmly believe restaurants should be for all New Yorkers - not just a privileged few. This kind of practical policymaking must continue to guide our recovery, with a strong emphasis on equity, in the months and years ahead."

De Blasio, while he expressed support for permanent outdoor dining, did acknowledge that it could be tweaked.

"If there's, you know, places where more sanitation services are needed, or whatever, of course we can do that," he said. "But I really think it's been pretty magical for a lot of the city and I would support continuing it."