FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, (347) 361-9983

New York, N.Y. – Citizens Union today released the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh in response to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s announcement of new initiatives to reduce the number of sidewalk sheds across New York City and speed up façade repairs, including major investments in repairs at NYCHA developments and updated rules governing façade inspections and shed placement:

“Sidewalk sheds were designed to be temporary protections for pedestrians, but in too many cases they have become semi-permanent fixtures that darken sidewalks and diminish the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

“In our report Sidewalk Shed Reform in New York City, Citizens Union documented how the current regulatory system can allow sheds to remain in place for years. The Mamdani administration’s efforts to reduce unnecessary shed coverage, strengthen oversight, and push building owners to complete repairs more quickly are important steps toward fixing that problem.

“We are particularly encouraged by the focus on removing long-standing sheds at NYCHA developments, where residents have too often lived with these structures for years. Investments in façade repairs and stronger enforcement to ensure sheds come down promptly will help restore light, open space, and safer streets for New Yorkers.”

To read Citizens Union’s report Sidewalk Shed Reform in New York City, click here.