Honestly, I’m more excited about this than any construction project in the city. It’s an absolute travesty that the city has allowed so many construction sheds to take over the sidewalks. Praying this gets implemented without delay or obstruction:
A quick summary:
Try to use netting instead of a shed where possible
Redesign the current sheds
Increase fines on building owners who refuse to do the required building work (up to $6k/mo); higher fines in the central business district
Create low-interest loan program for landlords to complete work
Explore whether or not inspections can be done less frequently
I agree with you that this is more important than any project. Heck, more important than all the projects put together even (imo).
But this has been proposed, periodically, many times before, only to fall into oblivion for some reason until the next proposal. So I’m not holding my breath this time.
But there are extra rules and restrictions now for how long they can stay up:
Five bills in one:
The legislation requires the Department of Buildings (DOB) to study and recommend new shed designs to the City Council by September 30, 2025. Under the law, more color options for sheds would be allowed, construction fences would be required to match adjacent shed colors, lighting underneath would be increased, and the minimum height would be raised to 12 feet.
Another bill would shorten the time for shed permits for facade repairs from one year to three months, except for demolitions, building alterations, or new construction. The legislation would also establish new penalties for property owners who delay repairs to sheds that occupy the public right-of-way. These penalties would be enforced starting with the second permit renewal, increasing based on the age and size of the shed.
The legislation would require DOB to review the frequency of the Facade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) and recommend changes to the Council by December 31, 2025. It would also extend the time between inspections from every five years to every six to 12 years and delay the first required inspection of any new building from five to nine years.
Introduction 660-A doubles the required lighting beneath sheds and mandates using LED lights. It would also require lights within 20 feet of windows or glass doors to be adjustable or shielded to avoid disturbing nearby homes and businesses.
Intro 661-A would bolster enforcement of facade repairs by imposing penalties on property owners who fail to submit construction documents to the DOB within five months of completion, do not file proper permit applications within eight months, or fail to complete repairs within two years.
On second look, I think the rendering shows something like a metal grate, so rain would just go through the shed, not be diverted by it. I could be wrong.
I’m concerned that if something does fall (the whole point of the sheds, after all) it would just bounce off the slanted shed and into the building, causing damage and potentially even going through a window. That doesn’t seem great. If there’s an unseen structure to mitigate that, great.
I do like the idea of a slanted shed for making it feel less dark and enclosed for pedestrians.
I like that the recommended design has fewer poles and no horizontal crossbars at human height. I wish this aspect were a legal requirement. When sidewalks get really busy under some of the current sheds, it can feel like a real gauntlet where I fear for my elbows.
