NYC's New Sidewalk Sheds Spark Online Mockery Amid Cost Concerns

New York City's latest sidewalk shed designs are facing online ridicule for their distinctively sloped roofs. However, a design expert suggests the more significant challenge lies in determining who will bear the cost of these updated structures.

David Burney, an associate professor at Pratt Institute and former city construction commissioner, stated that while the new designs represent an improvement over existing ones, their widespread adoption hinges on cost. "Unless they make it mandatory, it’s hard to see who’s going to pay for it?" he questioned.

The prototypes, unveiled under former Mayor Eric Adams in November, were intended as alternatives to the traditional hunter green pipe-and-plywood scaffolding. Two such prototypes are now installed outside the Department of Buildings headquarters in Lower Manhattan, designed by the firm Practice for Architecture and Urbanism.

One of the new designs features a transparent, slanted roof made of polycarbonate decking, intended to allow more light onto the sidewalk. The other prototype utilizes rockfall netting, designed to catch debris while still permitting sunlight to pass through. These designs have drawn commentary, with some critics questioning the practicality of the sloped roofs, particularly regarding water drainage. Reality star Spencer Pratt and former City Councilman Justin Brannan both posted remarks on social media, with Pratt humorously suggesting the roofs were designed to drain water into buildings and Brannan quipping about a "left" slant.

Burney dismissed the drainage concerns, stating, "They can easily handle the draining. I don’t think it’s a problem." However, he expressed reservations about the rock netting design, noting that it would reduce protection from rain and sun for pedestrians. "One benefit you do get is when it’s raining or really sunny you can walk under the shed and get some protection," Burney said. "So if they take that away that will be one more reason to hate sidewalk sheds."

The primary concern for Burney, however, remains the financial aspect. Conventional plywood sheds typically cost between $125 and $180 per linear foot, according to contractor Prime Scaffold. A spokesperson for the Department of Buildings indicated that while the new designs prioritize affordable and readily available materials and are reusable, they will likely require a greater upfront investment compared to traditional models. Burney recalled a previous initiative to improve sidewalk shed aesthetics that failed to gain traction because owners were not mandated to use the more expensive options, and he anticipates a similar outcome if the new designs are not made compulsory.

"The owners don’t want to pay for it," Burney stated. "The contractors don’t want to pay for it."