By Carlotta Mohamed
City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) introduced two new bills last week that would eliminate street vendor pollution and sidewalk obstructions threatening pedestrians’ safe passage in Flushing and throughout New York City.
Koo’s first bill, Intro 969, would prohibit all sidewalk obstructions in downtown Flushing and stoopline stands in certain areas. The second bill, Intro 970, would prohibit the use of under-fired char broilers at mobile food vending units citywide.
“We are overrun with sidewalk obstructions, and our sidewalks have become an obstacle course,” Koo said June 7. “As a small business owner, I have no objection to people innovating in order to turn a profit, but I wholeheartedly object to those who do so at the expense of their community.” Last year, the completion of a nine-foot-widened sidewalk on Main Street in Flushing gave critical relief to hundreds of thousands of commuters who use the transportation hub’s more than 20 bus lines, subways, and LIRR trains, as well as others who visit Flushing for its restaurants and shopping, said Koo, who owns the Starside pharmacy chain in Flushing.
That pace has now been occupied, however, by illegal street vendors and stoop line stands, where people are selling everything from health insurance, counterfeit handbags, bed sheets, pots and pans, fruits and vegetables, cell phones and even socks, according to Koo.
The Intro 969 bill would prohibit stoopline stands at the following locations: Main Street between Northern Boulevard and Sanford Avenue; Roosevelt Avenue between College Point Boulevard and Union Street; Kissena Boulevard between 41st Avenue and Barclay Avenue; 40th Road between Prince Street and Main Street; 41st Avenue between Main Street and Union Street; and 41st Road between Main Street and Frame Place.
Under the Intro 970 bill, general and food vending would be prohibited within the boundary of Northern Boulevard, east of Union Street, South Sanford Avenue and west of College Point Boulevard.
Licensed veterans and vending protected under the Constitution’s freedom of speech provisions would be exempt from the restrictions, and flat top grills would not be restricted, such as the griddles used in Halal trucks, Koo said.
“The under-fired char broilers used by street vendors are responsible for a significant amount of particulate matter in our air,” Koo said. “Not only are the grillers breathing this in, but it also impacts nearby residents, businesses, and others who must endure the clouds of smoke blowing in their windows and hanging over the street.”
Making the vendors more environmentally safe will reduce particulate matter and significantly improve the air quality in New York City, Koo said.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
