By Jacob Chen
A Coalition of mostly Village Block Associations and community groups have organized together as CUEUP, or Coalition United for Equitable Urban Policy determined to take on the efforts to make the Pandemic-era inspired outdoor eating sheds permanent.
The Coalition, which has filed a lawsuit to stop the City from enacting a permanent ordinance permitting the sheds to continue in existence describes itself as follows:
WHO WE ARE
The Coalition United for Equitable Urban Policy (CUEUP) is an alliance of neighborhood and block associations, organizations, institutions, businesses, and residents united for collective action and participatory policymaking to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all New Yorkers. We oppose Mayor Eric Adams’ permanent outdoor drinking and dining program.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
CUEUP supports our neighborhood restaurants, and wants them to not only survive, but thrive. However, we oppose making permanent the Open Restaurants and Bars program. Policies regarding the future of restaurants also directly impact the lives of residents and small shops, who must be part of the decision-making process. The top-down process that created the permanent program was unjust and undemocratic.
CUEUP also advocates for the uniform application of rigorous enforcement measures as part of any NYC Open Restaurants and Bars legislation in order to ensure the equitable treatment of all New Yorkers.
OUR GOALS
In order to maintain livable residential neighborhoods and mixed-use districts that support diverse small businesses and promote the health and safety of residents, workers, and visitors alike, we call for
The immediate and vigorous enforcement of the current regulations guiding Open Restaurants to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers
The repeal of NYC Local Law 114, which set the stage for a permanent Open Restaurants program
An end to the closed-door deal-making currently underway that eviscerated NYC’s zoning laws and will hand over public streets and sidewalks to the hospitality industry
Robust public discussion and community-based review and approval of any reshaping of our sidewalks and streetscapes
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Our allies in advocacy
8 St. Marks Place Tenants Association
West Village Residents Association
9th Street A-1 Block Association
Central Village Block Association
North Avenue A Residents Association
Sunnyside Gardens Preservation Alliance
Bedford-Downing St. Block Association
Chinatown Core Block Association
Orchard Street Block Association
West 15th St. Block Association
East 5th Street Block Association
Council of Chelsea Block Associations
CUEUP can be contacted at cueupny.com.
Jacob Chen is a student at Beacon High School.
