Sunset Park BID Festival on 5th Avenue (2014)

In early May, CB 7's Economic Development Committee met with street vendors and property and business owners from 5th Avenue to discuss actions and hurdles that create conflicts between the parties.  The meeting came at the request from the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center.  At the April Board meeting, the organization detailed the difficulties many vendors have and asked for the Board's assistance.

At the same time, CB 7 is aware that many of the vendors are not plying their trade in a legal manner and this brings conflict with some brick-and-mortar businesses.

Part of the problem is the lack of available permits for vending, which is limited to 5000 city-wide, with the majority operating in Manhattan.  That leaves vendors in Brooklyn and other boroughs in a difficult position, as many have licenses from the Health Department to sell, but not a permit from the Department of Consumer Affairs to be a legal vendor.

Additionally, some business-owners view vendors as unfair competition as some may sell similar products with little overhead and saturation of vending activities can create a crowded commercial corridor.

The vigorous discussion is just an opening for a broader discussion and CB 7 has committed to hosting future meetings to try to bridge divides between the parties and to bring the appropriate city agencies into the discussion, as well.