Help Us Fix
Canal Open Streets!
This street closure in Chinatown is disruptive to our neighbors and legacy small biz - promoting gentrification & cultural erasure and the privatization of our public spaces under the guise of “green space.” Tell DOT things need to change!
“Remember Ming’s Cafe? Sing Sing Beauty Salon? The affordable bodega at 139 Division?”
Who Profits?
Select restauranteurs & hospitality giants.
Chinese-owned businesses are shuttering to make room for nightlife-oriented businesses that cater to huge Open Streets crowds.
Meanwhile, legacy small businesses can’t get their trash picked up or recieve their deliveries.
Open Streets should benefit everyone, aunties & uncles included - not just those that can afford an aperol spritz.
We are losing retail diversity and affordability as our neighborhood becomes an expensive entertainment district.
The Canal Open Streets needs to be fair and equitable for ALL businesses and residents - thus we support the DOT’s move to operate the Open Street as a Short Term Concession.
Q: What is a Short Term Concession?
A: A Short Term Concession is an operating model meant to “serve as a tool for engaging communities by offering services and amenities that enhance public spaces, supporting local businesses and cultural activities while activating NYC DOT spaces.” Sounds great to us - we support any move by the DOT to return public spaces to the public while still supporting local businesses!
Q: What about Canal Open Streets operating as a Long Term Concession?
A: In his interview with Hellgate, Nialls Fallon of Canal Street Merchants noted that he has worked to address concerns from the community, yet moving to a Long Term Concession would demonstrate a complete disregard for his neighbors wishes for a more balanced operating schedule (4 day max). We’ve lived through the chaos of a 7-day Open Street, and even the DOT agreed that it wasn’t working.
Q: How is a Short Term Concession different from the way the Canal Open Streets Operates now?
A: Currently the Canal Open Street operates under very general rules that don’t address major issues around crowds and safety. An STC would be the answer to many of community concerns.
Short Term Concessions are limited to 29 operating days. In 2025 the Open Street operated for 104 days - meaning local businesses couldn’t get their deliveries and residents had to put up with noise for a 1/3 of the year. Moving to an STC would be a fair balance community concerns with revenue generating opportunities for businesses.
Concessionaire must provide a city-approved site plan that notes hydrants, tree pits, ADA curb cuts, etc. Currently the Open Streets has no seating guidelines and privatized dining tables and chairs are regularly seen blocking hydrants and curb cuts. Safety and accessibility is key to a functioning neighborhood!