New York City lawmakers have repealed a decades-old law that would have required businesses to upgrade their storefront roll-down security gates to be at least 70% transparent. The City Council voted Tuesday to reverse the measure, which was set to be enforced starting July 1, just as some business owners reported spending thousands of dollars on the mandated upgrades.
The original law, passed in 2009 as an anti-graffiti measure, had prompted concern among business owners who questioned the necessity and cost of replacing functional gates. With enforcement looming, many businesses invested in new, semi-transparent grilles to avoid potential fines of $1,250.
Gustavo Rodriguez, manager of a Key Food grocery store in the Bronx, stated that his store spent approximately $70,000 on new grilles, despite his belief that the older gates were more effective against break-ins. "Why make us change something we didn’t need to change?" Rodriguez questioned.
Abdul Abdullah, owner of Stadium Souvenirs near Yankee Stadium, also lamented the expense of new gates, despite having durable older doors. Similarly, George Manesis, owner of Billy’s Sports bar, indicated he narrowly avoided a $90,000 bill by not proceeding with the upgrades after receiving city guidance.
City Council member Susan Zhuang emphasized the financial strain on small businesses, noting that upgrades could cost "$10,000 or more per store, at a moment when our shops can least afford it." The Department of Buildings has stated it will inform business owners of the changes to prevent further confusion.
The repeal means businesses will now only be required to comply with the transparency requirements when replacing a gate for other reasons. The city aims to provide businesses with more flexibility in choosing security measures that best suit their needs. However, some owners, like Rodriguez, remain concerned that the new, lighter, and more transparent gates could inadvertently attract thieves.