Next year the city has big plans to re-imagine Astor Place and Cooper Square. The plans are pretty far-ranging, with streets getting closed off and additional greenery planted, but there is one thing the new Cooper Square won't have if Community Board 3 has their way: Food vendors. Last night the board's Parks Committee voted on a resolution against any efforts by the city to install food vendors in the triangle between Third and Fourth Avenues.
The concerns from the board are twofold. First, they worry that vendors in the space might take money away from local businesses (and you know Trilby can use a hand), and second there is a concern that late night food options in the area would attract too much attention at night.
"I have visions of Astor Place turning into the Meat Market," committee member Carolyn Ratcliffe said, according to DNAinfo. "We want more public space, but we don't want the area turning into a zoo."
Somebody apparently also talked about vendors' waste feeding the already large rodent population. But as long as the people who pour out bags of bread in the park seemingly every day keep showing up, we doubt that vendors would make or break the situation.
The board is hoping that by making their opinion heard now—well before the construction begins—their chances of being listened to by the city will be greatly improved.
