Q: What’s the problem?
A: DOT’s Open Streets has created an unregulated, anything-goes party zone in a mixed residential/commercial district in Chinatown/LES, inviting hundreds of revelers, 7 days a week.
- Program was implemented without input from local businesses / residents of low-income, mostly immigrant neighborhood to enable COVID recovery for a few select bars & restaurants.
- Street Closure creates unnecessary safety issues, rerouting ambulances and firetrucks.
- Street Closure has negatively impacted several Canal St. storefronts that deal in heavy appliances and require curbside delivery/pickup, leading to decreased sales.
- Lack of guidelines for outdoor seating - Open Streets Businesses place as many tables and chairs as they want, leading to massive crowds and noise.
-Lack of oversight and enforcement have led to a “Bourbon Street” like atmosphere, leading to open air drug-dealing, open container drinking, amplified music, illegal bbqs and gatherings.
- Open Streets participating businesses have proven that are incapable of abiding by simple DOT Rules such as moving barricades for emergency responders, and concluding outdoor service by 10pm. DOT does not enforce their own rules.
- Open Streets Businesses put outdoor tables on the north AND south side of Canal St, blocking Emergency Access and creating a safety hazard.
Q: I love Open Streets! How is DOT’s Open Streets Program on Canal Street different?
A: Fewer cars on the road and neighbors gathering is a positive thing! But it is not the reality here on Canal Street aka “Dimes Square” - a corner of Chinatown that has exploded in popularity since the pandemic.
-While other Open Streets are staffed, programmed with family-friendly activities, and monitored, the Canal Street program features none of the above. There are no community tables for people who want to enjoy the open street without purchasing an expensive cocktail - all tables belong to participating restaurants.
- While other Open Streets programs have reasonable, common-sense hours (ie: nearby Stanton Street’s hours are 10am-6pm, Sundays only), the Canal Street program is runs from 3pm-10pm, 7 days a week.
- While other Open Streets programs are run by local BIDs, non-profits, schools, or community groups, Canal Street’s permit is held by with Cervo’s, representing bars and restaurants, many of whom are highly successful serial entrepreneurs that do not serve the neighborhood.
- Our neighborhood has actually seen an INCREASE in car traffic since the implementation of Open Streets, especially on weekends with car services dropping off Open Streets revelers. The idling car services create confusion and dangerous conditions for pedestrians.
Q: But don’t the bars and restaurants on Canal Street need the business?
A: Do they?
“But even with more places to go, and double the space with
indoor-and-outdoor seating, every Dimes Square spot was even
more packed. ‘I’ve talked about Clandestino so many times in
interviews because it’s good for them to get business—but now, I
don’t think they need the business,’ Shteyngart said.”
Q: How does DOT’s Open Streets accelerate gentrification and displacement?
A: The participating bars and restaurants do not cater to the local demographic of Chinatown, where 28% of residents live below the poverty line*.
Let us consider 28 Canal Street - where a mom&pop eatery that once fed the neighborhood with affordable meals was pushed out due to rent increases, as Open Streets attracted massive crowds to this corner of Chinatown.
28 Canal is now home to a business that has multiple locations, participates in Open Streets and is known for “Pouring Rare and Eclectic Wines for $20.”
Q: How does DOT’s Open Streets affect local businesses that are not bars and restaurants?
A: Only a few select businesses benefit from Open Streets, others are negatively impacted:
- Businesses on Canal St. report a decrease in sales due to the lack of curbside pickup/delivery.
-Businesses on Ludlow St. have reported outsiders attracted to the large Open Streets crowds coming to the neighborhood to set up their own barricades for illegal and unpermitted block parties.
-Businesses on Canal St. complain of cleaning up broken bottles and glass every morning during Open Streets.
-Bars and Restaurants on Orchard St. report requiring to hire additional security to handle the influx of drunken revelers attracted to the area by Open Streets.
-Businesses on Orchard St. report increased potholes and parked cars being sideswiped due to delivery trucks being rerouted due to the Canal Street closure.
Q: What should DOT do to fix the problem?
The DOT should work with the Community and Canal Street Merchants by adopting the Canal Open Streets Community Working Plan - common sense guidelines that will ensure a more equitable and successful 2025 season.
Urge the DOT to adopt the Working Plan by emailing epincar@dot.nyc.gov.