Sheds Down: NYC Unveils Plan To Quash ‘Sidewalk Sheds’ That Have Spoiled Streetscape For Decades

New York City officials introduced a comprehensive plan this week aimed at reducing the number of unsightly “street sheds,” which have plagued the city’s sidewalks for decades. Different from the pandemic outdoor dining sheds, these structures are constructed by property owners over sidewalks, often remaining in place for extended periods without completion of essential facade work on the buildings.

Mayor Eric Adams and Buildings Department Commissioner Jimmy Oddo revealed the initiative, aptly named “Get Sheds Down,” inspired by Adams’ vision of “Get Stuff Done” for the city. The plan constitutes a sweeping overhaul of rules governing sidewalk construction sheds and scaffolding, intending to expedite the removal of these eyesores while reimagining and redesigning the necessary ones.

Although these sidewalk sheds serve the purpose of protecting pedestrians from falling objects, some property owners neglect to remove them even after completing the required facade work, resulting in approximately 3% of the city’s sidewalk space (nearly 400 miles) being covered by scaffolding.

Currently, there are around 9,000 permitted construction sheds, some up for an average of 500 days, with approximately 1,000 standing for three years or more. Under the new plan, the city will aim to dismantle the sidewalk sheds more efficiently and, when possible, replace them with less intrusive alternatives, such as safety netting.

The initiative will incentivize property owners to expedite facade repairs and remove sheds with expired permits. Financial penalties will be expanded for property owners in specific central business districts, capped at $6,000 per month until the sheds are removed.

To assist building owners with affordability concerns for repairs, the city will introduce a loan program. The plan also involves reducing the duration of a shed permit from 12 months to 90 days, requiring property owners to renew permits four times per year to maintain proper compliance.

Furthermore, the plan includes a review of Local Law 11, which mandates facade inspections every five years for buildings over six stories. The goal is to explore less frequent and less burdensome inspection strategies without compromising pedestrian safety.

At a news conference, Mayor Adams expressed the need to restore the visual beauty of the city and eliminate these unsightly structures that have detracted from the city’s aesthetics for far too long.

{Matzav.com}