Exclusive | NYC restaurateurs frustrated as city issues only 40 outdoor dining permits with thousands still in limbo: Extorted money from us

There’s a backlog of more than 3,600 applications for outdoor dining sheds in the Big Apple — thanks to the city’s “cumbersome,” convoluted new approval process, The Post has learned.The city has only issued permits for 40 dining spots as officials scramble to hand out temporary licenses and restaurant owners worry about the big investments they made ahead of the April 1 al fresco season.“The city extorted money from us,” said Tom Avallone, manager of Nick’s Bistro in Forest Hills, Queens.“We were obligated to apply for the permit and pay the fee by Aug.

3 or we would have had to take down the old shed before November … [now] there is nothing we can do until we know what’s gonna happen.”Avallone said he still hasn’t heard back regarding the eatery’s roadway dining permit, which has prompted him to freeze hiring for the spring until he knows how many seats he’ll have.“Are we gonna be up and functioning on April 1?” Avallone said.“Can we start building [the dining shed] in the last two weeks of March so we can be ready to serve our customers on April 1? There are so many unanswered questions right now.”To get a roadway dining permit eateries must get an OK from the Department of Transportation, local community board and the city comptroller’s office.

For sidewalk dining restaurants also need a thumbs up from a local council member, according to the new regulations unveiled by the City Council last year.The lengthy process for roadway dining unveiled by the City Council in 2023 requires approval from the Department of Transportation, local community board and the city comptroller’s office.For sidewalk dining that process also requires a thumbs-up from a local council member.The process is such a maze that the DOT is now planning to issue conditional licenses because of how long it’s taking to make a call on the applications.“Given the application timeline, [the Department of Transportation will work with restaurants to ...