Corona Plaza in Queens was once a lively and vibrant space, filled with taqueros cooking fresh tortillas and vendors selling Central American crafts while the sounds of cumbia and train traffic filled the air. It was even recognized as one of the top 100 places to eat in the city. However, recent sanitation sweeps have disrupted the plaza, with stalls being removed and vendors facing penalties for operating without permits. This has led to protests and the disappearance of the beloved food stands and agua fresca.
The city’s actions have shed light on a longstanding issue faced by small businesses in New York. The current cap on new vendor permits is artificially low, resulting in only a handful of the numerous vendors operating legally. While the regulations are in place to ensure safety, they have hindered the city’s vibrant street food scene, which is a significant part of its identity as a global food hub and a haven for new entrepreneurs.
Recognizing this, elected officials and merchant groups are urging the city to create a faster and more accessible pathway for vendors to legitimize their businesses. They also want to address safety and overcrowding concerns, which are shared by many vendors. These hardworking, immigrant women have played a crucial role in revitalizing a neighborhood that has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
However, getting permits has proven to be nearly impossible for many vendors. The total number of available mobile food vending permits has been capped at 5,100 for years, and these permits are rarely relinquished once obtained. This has led to an undercount of the actual number of street vendors in the city, estimated to be around 20,000 by the Street Vendor Project.
Past encounters with authorities over permits have been contentious, with incidents of produce being discarded and violent clashes. While the City Council passed a law to release more food vendor permits, the rollout has been slow, leaving over 10,000 vendors on the waiting list. The current system has also given rise to prohibited practices, such as vendors renting permits from third parties.
Merchants at the plaza are rallying for change, supported by elected officials like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Donovan Richards, Queens borough president. They demand licenses and a more efficient process from the city, expressing frustration over the plaza’s overcrowded and dirty conditions. Some locals have expressed concerns, calling for better organization among the vendors.
There is hope for improvement, as public agencies have already taken steps to address issues like littering through initiatives like a shared community trash bin managed through a WhatsApp group chat. Additionally, the city’s Department of Transportation plans to introduce a concession agreement that would allow a nonprofit company to oversee vendors and ensure compliance with city rules.
However, skepticism remains as the future management of Corona Plaza is uncertain. Some view the area as a lower priority due to its lower-income demographics. It is critical for the city to prioritize the needs of these hardworking vendors and find a solution that will allow them to operate legally while preserving the unique character and vibrancy of Corona Plaza.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
