2/3/99
provided through OPENAIR-MARKET NET
Feb, 10, 1999 release of new vending law
On Feb. 10th the City Council will release the final draft of its new vending law, Int. #110 [available on the web at http://leah.council.nyc.ny.us/leg98/int0110.htm]. The new law was written by the City's most politically connected Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) working with attorneys from the City Council. While the Council Members sponsoring this bill claim it is intended to resolve the vending issue "fairly", Int #110's sole purpose is to destroy today's vendors and turn over vending to corporate interests [key architects of the bill are Council Members Freed, Fisher and Dear and the Downtown Alliance's Director, Carl Weisbrod].
Their latest tool for eliminating vendors is the warrant system, a new requirement which will result in fiercely competitive bidding for vending spots, as is now the case in all N.Y.C. parks. To get an idea of the ramifications of the warrant system, the 1/25/99 City Record announced a successful bid for one tee shirt vending stand in Battery Park. The winning bid? $525,000. The food carts in front of the Met are now bid out at over $400,000. Disney, McDonalds and the BIDs have been lobbying to get control of vending and to use it as a form of advertising. ABCTV [Disney] already has ads on numerous food vending carts in the Downtown and Midtown areas. With this system in place none of today's independent immigrant vendors will have any chance to successfully compete in the bidding for vending locations.
Feb. 24th City Council public hearing on the vending issue
On Wed. Feb. 24th the City Council will hold a public hearing on the vending issue and on Int. #110. Advocates from various aspects of vending will testify as will BID representatives and members of the Giuliani administration.
Robert Lederman, President of A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artists' Response To Illegal State Tactics) (718) 369-2111;
Email: ARTISTpres@aol.com; Homepage <http://www.openair.org/alerts/artist/nyc.html>