The city's latest attempt to tackle the ubiquitous sidewalk sheds that plague its streets is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of a comprehensive solution. The Department of Buildings has unveiled two new designs, a 'rigid' and 'flex' shed, which aim to replace the current steel-and-green eyesores that mar 360 miles of sidewalks. While these new models are less oppressive, they still fall short of addressing the root cause of the problem: Local Law 11, a 30-year-old regulation that mandates extensive facade repair and maintenance work, unlike any other city in the world.
The new sheds, designed by Arup and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, feature light blue and yellow paint jobs and partly see-through roofs, offering a more aesthetically pleasing alternative. However, they don't tackle the core issue of the law itself, which requires scaffolds to extend 20 feet beyond the job site, disrupting businesses and entrances not related to the work. This provision is a unique and pernicious aspect of New York's shed laws, which are primarily designed to benefit scaffold rental companies, a scandal that is exclusive to this city.
The city's planners should look to Chicago and Philadelphia for inspiration, where old and large buildings coexist with fewer sidewalk sheds. These cities have managed to protect passers-by from falling debris without the excessive scaffolding that plagues New York. The key difference lies in the laws that prioritize public safety over the interests of scaffold rental companies.
In my opinion, the new shed designs are a modest improvement, but they don't address the underlying issues. The city needs to reevaluate Local Law 11 and consider more comprehensive reforms to reduce the number of sheds and their impact on the urban landscape. This includes rethinking the law's scope and purpose, ensuring that it serves the public interest rather than the interests of a few companies. Only then can New York truly transform its sidewalks into more livable and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
