New York CityProposal 1

“We're particularly excited about ballot proposals one and three, to speed up outdoor dining permitting and fast-track the installation of street infrastructure that will both save lives and save commuters a great deal of time.”

— Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives

“Strongly Support”

— Reinvent Albany, written statement

“New Yorkers love outdoor dining, and our small businesses shouldn’t have to navigate an eight-month bureaucratic maze to make it happen”

— Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans

“Making the permitting process more efficient allows restaurant owners to spend more time investing in their businesses and less time navigating paperwork”

— Sandra Jaquez, President of NYS Latino Restaurant Association

“While all the ballot proposals are important, I am particularly thrilled to see proposals streamlining the approval process for pedestrian ramps, benches, and sidewalk cafés as well as modernizing city contracting to expand opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.”

— Pedro Suarez, Executive Director of Third Ave BID

“The reforms proposed by COGE will do just that. These proposals will make it simpler to enjoy lunch outdoors on a sunny day, find an affordable place to live, and to cross the street safely.”

— Ben Guttmann, Executive Director of Queens Economic Development Corporation

“Streamlining approvals for outdoor dining, accessibility ramps, benches, and sidewalk improvements, while modernizing City contracting, will help reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary red tape, and create greater opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.”

— Nina Flores, Executive Director of the Staten Island Business Outreach Center & Forest Avenue BID