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CB2 committees coordinate on Canal Street, raise concerns about pop-ups and sidewalk lines
Summary
Traffic and street-activity committees reported progress coordinating a joint Canal Street session with DOT and neighboring community boards; members emphasized recurring problems with pop-ups, sidewalk cafes and customer lines that obstruct narrow sidewalks in Little Italy and SoHo.
Members of Manhattan Community Board 2’s Traffic and Street Activities committees told the Executive Committee they are coordinating a multi-board Canal Street meeting with the Department of Transportation and neighboring community boards to present proposed changes and solicit public feedback.
Traffic committee members said they plan a public meeting near Canal Street and will invite DOT, CB1 and CB3 to participate. The goal is to present planned work, gather public input and use “sticky-note” style engagement tools so residents and businesses can mark concerns. Committee members said the issue is complex because Canal Street spans multiple community-board boundaries and involves competing uses of limited public space.
Separately, the Street Activities and SLA committees reported a steady stream of pop-up events, sidewalk cafes and business lines that encroach on narrow sidewalks, particularly in Little Italy and SoHo. Committee members described a growing problem where restaurants and popular destinations draw long customer lines that combine with sidewalk cafes and pop-ups to block the pedestrian clear path. Committee chairs said they have required some applicants to relocate lines into protected curbside areas with barriers when the sidewalk cannot remain clear.
Committee members recommended a unified board position on competing uses of sidewalk space — distinguishing when a business may use sidewalk space for a sidewalk cafe, when a separate curbline or protected barrier is required for queuing, and when lines should be discouraged. Several attendees suggested electronic queuing systems as a mitigation strategy.
Ending: Committees will pursue a joint Canal Street public meeting with DOT and neighboring boards and will continue to develop consistent board language and stipulations on sidewalk lines, pop-ups, and curb-line applications.
