Vallone Chairs Economic Development Committee Hearing Focused on Tourism Recovery

On Thursday morning, Council Member Paul A. Vallone and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer co-chaired a joint hearing of the Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations Committees focused on the recovery of New York City’s tourism industries and arts and culture during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. There, Vallone’s legislation seeking to create an Office of Tourism Recovery was supported and discussed by fellow Members, industry leaders and advocates.

Tourist numbers have plummeted since Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency on March 7th, 2020. Since March, the city’s tourism economy has shed over 200,000 jobs. Hotel occupancy rates fell to just around 15% in late March, and as of earlier this month those rates improved to just around 38%, well below the industry standard. Broadway, a massive economic driver, has been shuttered since March, and our restaurants have been limited to takeout or outdoor-dining. Council Member Vallone acknowledged that long term economic recovery planning now is critical to ensure success in the years ahead.

“The prolonged fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave its mark on every sector of the city’s economy, but nowhere is it more pronounced than in our once-vibrant tourism, arts and entertainment sectors,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Acknowledging the difficult recovery ahead, my bill seeks to create a dedicated office that would report directly to the Mayor and support tourism recovery throughout the city over the course of the next five challenging years. Proactive efforts like these will ensure the “City that Never Sleeps” stays dynamic, vibrant and wide awake in this new reality.”

In testimony, Hotel Association of NYC President Vijay Dandapani highlighted that hotels, which have historically provided over 50,000 jobs to New Yorkers, are now down to just 10,000 employed. Dandapani said Vallone’s legislation “would be a welcome addition to the very-much needed recovery efforts at the City level to support the future of tourism in NYC.”

“With the impact of COVID-19, the industry has been all but destroyed, with many hotels closing and others holding on by a thread,” said Dandapani. “We badly need relief if we are going to survive the coming months and years to provide the 50,000 jobs that we provided prior to COVID, and we welcome any support that the City might be able to give.”

Read Coverage at Crain's New York

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"NYC makes outdoor dining permanent"

New York City’s popular Open Restaurants program, which more than 10,300 eateries have enrolled in since June, has been extended year-round and made permanent, Mayor de Blasio announced Friday. So too is the Open Streets: Restaurants program, which lets eateries use more space on 85 car-free streets around the city on certain days.

Open Restaurants has saved at estimated 90,000 jobs citywide, according to the Mayor’s Office.

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Restaurants will be allowed to use tent enclosures and heaters to keep diners warm. They also will be able to extend their seating to the front of adjacent properties, as long the neighboring landowner formally agrees and commits not to charge a fee for use of the space.

"The extension of the Open Restaurants program, which has seen great success on Bell Boulevard and Douglaston Plaza here in Northeast Queens, is a victory for our small businesses and our communities," said City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside), chairman of the Committee on Economic Development. "Cutting obstructive red tape and setting clear health and safety guidelines for our city’s thousands of restaurant owners and the thousands more they employ will help ensure both the long-term health of New Yorkers and of our economy."

Read the full article at Queens Chronicle

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ICYMI: "Northeast Queens councilman’s resolutions demand accountability from Con Edison"

"Queens residents endured one of the most challenging summers in recent memory, facing storms, power outages and a global pandemic.

Con Edison’s weeklong response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which arrived in New York City on Aug. 4 profoundly impacted the borough, was quickly condemned by public and elected officials alike and prompted Councilman Paul Vallone to call for emergency City Council hearings on the vulnerabilities exposed in existing emergency preparedness and infrastructure.

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During the hearings, Vallone introduced two resolutions which seek to push Con Edison to make needed service improvements, better prioritize restoration efforts across the five boroughs, and take accountability for damage sustained on private property during weather events.

“Con Edison’s failure to quickly restore power to tens of thousands of Queens residents in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias meant that the borough hardest hit by COVID-19 also became the hardest hit by this weather event,” Vallone said. “A borough-by-borough approach to Con Edison’s emergency response, advance identification of vulnerable utility infrastructure, and accountability for damage to private property during storm events are just a few ways we can take action now and prevent a similar unacceptable outcome in the future.”

Read More at QNS

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Governor Cuomo Signs Legislations Allowing All New Yokers to Vote By Mail this Fall

The Board of Elections has provided a fully online application as well as email, paper mail, fax, and phone options. The information and links to access them can be found below:

Online Application

PDF/Paper Applications can be found here in 5 languages

Email Application to [email protected]

Fax application to 212-487-5349

Mail Application to your local borough office

Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)

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Free COVID-19 Testing

Make sure you get a FREE COVID-19 test before you spend time with vulnerable New Yorkers.

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need insurance.

⦿ Text 'COVID TEST' to 855-48 to find the closest testing location or visit nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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Douglaston Plaza Selected to Expand Outdoor Dining!

This summer, the Mayor announced that Douglaston Plaza was selected as one of 15 more citywide locations to have expanded weekend outdoor dining options, under an initiative that combines the popular Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs.

The expansion of the Open Restaurants program to include Douglaston Plaza in Northeast Queens is a great victory for our small businesses and our community! I thank the Douglaston LDC and Rebecca Gellos, Chris Campese, Victor Dadras and Ravi Thakur, who have been working hard to coordinate with my office and the Mayor's team to expand this successful program to Douglaston.

Let’s all celebrate by grabbing some coffee and enjoying dinner at our wonderful Douglaston Plaza!

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Bayside’s Bell Boulevard Expands Outdoor Dining!

Bell Boulevard was selected as one of the first business corridors in the city to participate in the new “Open Streets: Restaurants” program, which combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants initiatives. The new program allows expanded seating options for restaurants on select corridors throughout the five boroughs on weekends by collaborating with a local partner (in this case the Bayside BID) to facilitate street closures.

Bell Boulevard, between 39th and 41st Avenues will be fully closed for restaurant use 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 10 pm. on Sundays.

Expanded seating will last into the fall. An emergency clear lane will be maintained down the middle of the street to make sure that these streets remain safe and passable for emergency vehicles.

"I'm thrilled to share the news that Bayside's Bell Boulevard was selected to participate in the Open Streets: Restaurants initiative, which gives restaurant owners the power to expand their operations on the weekends and offer more diners food service in the open air, giving New Yorkers a safe way to enjoy a meal out while supporting their favorite local eateries," said Council Member Paul Vallone, who also chairs the Committee on Economic Development. "I thank the Bayside BID for their partnership and welcome this economic boon for our local restaurants, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery for New York City!"

Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

Patch

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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Governor Cuomo announced that indoor dining in NYC will resume at 25% capacity on Sept. 30. Reopening indoor dining in New York City with safety precautions is the right call and a major step that will boost the local economy and help our restaurant owners and the thousands of New Yorkers they employ get back on their feet while keeping diners safe. Given the fact that surrounding counties are already offering indoor dining at up to 50% capacity, I urge the Governor to raise the threshold for our Queens and NYC restaurants as soon as it's safely possible.

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Open Restaurants Program

The City has announced guidance for the Open Restaurants program, which allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets as New York City begins Phase 2 of reopening.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery.

Read more and apply here!

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Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses

and their Employees

The City of New York will distribute 4 million face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees as we move toward reopening the local economy. To get these resources to you and your employees, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs.

If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your employees, visit this City website to find a distribution partner located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, most organizations have varying hours for pick up.

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and Margaret Loughlin have stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand if you are able!

Find more information on GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:

For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:

Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hands.
When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from others.
If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid unnecessary gatherings.
Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed. Follow our Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving COVID-19 situation at https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Starting Friday, April 3, 2020, three free meals are available daily for ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 Meal Hubs across the 5 boroughs.

Locations in Northeast Queens include Bayside High School, MS 158, PS 169 Bay Terrace and PS 107 Flushing.

To find a location near you visit http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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New York State Issues Guidance on

COVID-19 Paid Leave Law

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill S8091 to provide paid sick leave and job protection for workers during the COVID-19 crisis (“COVID-19 Leave”).

This leave is provided in the event that a worker, or their minor children, are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.

Find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and benefits here:

https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/new-york-paid-family-leave-covid-19-faqs

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