Weekday Open Street Hours Coming To Forest Hills' Restaurant Row

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Weekday street closures are coming to Forest Hills' Restaurant Row under another expansion of the city's Open Streets and Open Restaurants program, the Mayor's Office announced Wednesday.

Starting Thursday, drivers will be barred from 70th Road between Austin Street and Queens Boulevard during select hours every day to allow for more outdoor restaurant seating.

“Restaurants deserve every chance they can get to serve more customers this fall – and, as the weather gets cooler, New Yorkers deserve every chance they can get to enjoy outdoor dining,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The Open Streets: Restaurants program has been a success, and we’re proud to grow its reach and give restaurants more tools to make it through this crisis.”

Under the expanded hours, 70th Road will be car-free between noon and 11 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

The Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce will manage the street closures. Austin Street between 72nd Avenue and 72nd Road will continue to close to cars Fridays through Sundays.

“The open streets program has really helped the restaurants that have been able to participate,” Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “As we are not ready for full capacity indoor dining, being able to be outside with extended seats 7 days a week is a win for these restaurant owners. The community loves outdoor dining too!”

The program will continue through Oct. 31.