Vendors who were banned from Brooklyn Bridge now also banned from DUMBO

Parks Department evicts unlicensed souvenir sellers from Washington Street

January 11, 2024 Mary Frost

Parks Police instruct unlicensed vendors to remove their carts and equipment from Washington Street in DUMBO on Thursday, Jan. 11. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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DUMBO — The Parks Department evicted almost all of the souvenir vendors from Washington Street in DUMBO on Thursday. It was the second eviction for the vendors since Jan. 3, when the city kicked them off the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway.

The bridge vendors’ mass migration to DUMBO resulted in sidewalks so crowded that pedestrians sometimes had to walk into the street to get around the tourists and tables, residents had complained.

A half dozen Parks Department police took up residence next to Anchorage Plaza Wednesday night, when the evictions began, and returned Thursday morning. The police directed unlicensed or improperly-licensed purveyors of T-shirts and tote bags to cart away their belongings, which included oversized carts and gas generators.

By 10 a.m. Thursday the majority of the vendors were gone, leaving behind just two merchandise sellers (the limit per block) and three art vendors, who don’t need special vending licenses.

One vendor who was allowed to stay was a Brooklyn resident who sells paintings and photos of NYC landmarks.

After being ordered to leave by Parks Police, these unlicensed vendors pushed their cart away from Washington Street in DUMBO Wednesday evening, Jan. 10. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

He said he knew the law and had the proper tax certificate, “So they have to let me stay.” But he criticized the city for what he called lack of clarity regarding where vendors could and could not sell. “They say only two or three vendors can be here. Where can the other vendors go?” (Update: a previous version of the story contained a quote by the vendor which he has asked the Eagle to remove.)

Many of the souvenir sellers were not operating legally, said Jimmy Ng, a member of the steering committee of the DUMBO Action Committee (DAC). Ng told the Eagle on Jan. 8 that some vendors had set up on tables as large as 12’x5’ feet, which obstructed the sidewalk (the legal size is 8’x3’). The gas cans, tents and funky wiring were also worrisome. “It’s a matter of public safety,” he said.

DUMBO resident and disabled veteran Michael Seri, himself a vendor, said vendors want to work as a team with the DUMBO BID, which could be a “win-win.” Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

After the influx, DAC and the DUMBO BID had reached out to Councilmember Lincoln Restler, and Restler’s office arranged a group call with the NYC Department of Sanitation’s Street Vending Enforcement unit and the Mayor’s Office.

The Parks Department has oversight over the stretch of sidewalk in front of Anchorage Plaza. While currently being used by the Department of Transportation as a parking lot and equipment storage area, the entire plaza recently reverted to Parks use. Parks issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Jan. 2 for the plaza’s temporary transformation into a recreation, sports or performance space, and the RFP includes the option to operate up to three mobile food units.

Vendors wrapped their carts in preparation for departing Washington Street in DUMBO. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

City says it is helping vendors find other places to sell

“In one week, we have gone from having a crowded, unsafe Brooklyn Bridge with people packed together like sardines to a safer, more walkable bridge,” Liz Garcia, deputy press secretary for Mayor Adams, told the Brooklyn Eagle.

“We have been continually monitoring conditions on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, and we are communicating directly with these vendors to help them identify existing, designated spaces where they can legally vend,” she said, adding, “Our administration will continue to help street vendors make a living outside of the shadows, and city agencies will continue to educate them on rules and regulations so that our public spaces remain safe and vibrant.”

Restler told the Eagle on Thursday that his office has been in “active communication” with City Hall and city agencies.

“Parks has been educating vendors about legal vending rules and plans to initiate more enforcement action today against illegal activity,” he said. “We are committed to implementing short- and long-term solutions with the Adams administration to ensure quality of life of DUMBO residents and appropriate opportunities for vendors.”

The Parks Department posted this sign on Washington Street on Jan. 11 warning vendors that their merchandise could be removed if they don’t possess the required Parks permit. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Vendors unhappy but DUMBO residents relieved

DUMBO resident and disabled veteran Michael Seri is one of the vendors booted from the Brooklyn Bridge. He set his table up on Thursday in front of Clumber Corner Park, across the street from where the evictions were taking place.

“Look, it’s New York City. It’s a little crowded — it’s supposed to be crowded. Move to Peoria if you don’t want crowds,” Seri told the Eagle. “I’ve lived in DUMBO seven years, and I know Alexandria Sica, president of the DUMBO BID. We [the vendors] want to contribute to DUMBO, work as a team. We could hand out flyers to people about where to go, where to eat, where to do their business in DUMBO. It could be a win-win for everybody.”

Ng, however, said he was relieved by the city’s fast action regarding the vendors.

“We (residents) are deeply appreciative of Councilmember Lincoln Restler’s office, [and] the Park Department’s, City Hall’s and DSNY’s actions to address the illegal and unsafe vending on Washington St. in DUMBO,” he told the Eagle on Thursday. “Based on recent enforcement action, we are encouraged that many illegal vending conditions have been addressed, which restores safe and navigable sidewalks back to residents and visitors.”

Ng added, “As residents, we will continue advocating to ensure that these newly safe conditions persist in the long-term after this brief period of heightened attention through ongoing dialogue and partnership with our elected officials, the city, and street vendors. As before, we welcome the sharing of our community space with any and all vendors, as long as they do so in a safe and legal manner.”