Scaffolding

The NYC Hospitality Alliance has been advocating for the scaffolding (sidewalk sheds) reform. These structures are essential in protecting people from building construction and inspections, etc. However, it is no secret that scaffolding left up for an extended period has a devastating impact on restaurants and bars. The effects range from a significant loss of business, to the reduction of employee hours and layoffs, to a factor in some businesses closing. Some small business owners even suspect that unscrupulous landlords have kept up scaffolding to drive them out of business to get a higher rent-paying tenant or for them to sell or demolish the building. A law must be passed to require more aesthetically pleasing scaffolding and forbid it from staying up for unnecessarily long periods of time, without significant penalties. Tenants must also have a private right of action to recoup money in appropriate circumstances.