Brian Lear on WNYC.

Now let's turn the page from national politics and take a walk down the New York City streets,

which are set to undergo a big change in the coming weeks.

If you recall, during the early days of the pandemic,

the city took steps to save its restaurant industry

by opening up outdoor dining to all restaurants,

with very few exceptions and very few restrictions,

in an effort to provide cooped-up New Yorkers places to safely eat,

restorateurs erected elaborate street dining setups,

many of which still line our curbs today.

But the days of outdoor dining in New York City, as we know it, are numbered.

Despite the new layer of vibrancy, these street dining setups have added to our avenues.

Disgruntled neighbors have long fought for their removal, and soon enough those critics will have their wishes largely granted.

As of August 3rd, which is less than two weeks away, it's next Saturday, the city's Dining out NYC program will begin that process of regulating

many of these shed-like dining establishments that we've come to know over the last four years.

And changes are coming to the sidewalk dining setups as well, not just the ones that actually go

into the road. Joining me now to talk about the changes,

coming to outdoor dining in New York City,

how restaurants are preparing for the Dining Out NYC program

to come into effect, the new one,

and the setups you might want to check out

before they're turned down, torn down,

...