Posed Law Would Ban Sidewalk Vendors In Parts Of Flushing

FLUSHING, QUEENS -- Just six months ago, City Councilman Peter Koo snipped the celebratory ribbon on downtown Flushing's newly-widened sidewalks. But the Queens lawmaker said the extra space meant to ease the crowded sidewalks' congestion has since given way to more, this time at the hands of street vendors.

He claims illegal street vendors and stoop line stands have taken over the extra nine feet added to Main Street's sidewalks and then some "to sell everything from health insurance, counterfeit handbags, bed sheets, pots and pans, fruits and vegetables, cell phones and even socks."

On Thursday, Koo posed a law that would most ban most of those vendors and stands from selling their goods along certain streets in downtown Flushing.

“We are overrun with sidewalk obstructions, and our sidewalks have become an obstacle course," Koo said. "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."

The bill, he said, would prohibit all "sidewalk obstructions" - aka food and merchandise vendors without permits - in the downtown area between Northern Boulevard, Sanford Avenue, Union Street and College Point Boulevard.

Stoopline stands - Licensed to sell fruits, veggies, soft drinks and flowers directly outside of stores - would also be banned from certain downtown areas, including:

• 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
• 41st Road between Main Street and Frame Place

The ban would not apply to licensed veterans and other vending protected by the Constitution's freedom of speech, Koo said.

He posed the law alongside another bill to ban all New York City mobile food vendors from using under-fired char broilers on the grounds they emit too much air pollution. Koo cited a Department of Health testimony equating the pollution from a food vendor grilling meat for one day to that of a diesel truck making a round-trip from NYC to Denver.

“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," he said.

Koo said the legislation would not restrict flattop grills, such as those used in Halal trucks.

(Lead image: Koo cuts the ribbon on Flushing's newly widened sidewalks in November. Photo by Danielle Woodward)