NEW YORK – New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin today called for permanent protections to ensure continued public access to the City-owned plaza adjacent to Guastavino’s, following allegations that the luxury private event venue had restricted New Yorkers from accessing the space and used it for private events.

In a letter sent today to Louis Rose, chairman of Rose Group Hospitality, Speaker Menin requested a meeting with Guastavino’s ownership to establish a clear and durable agreement governing public access, signage, and security practices at the East 59th Street plaza.

Following a public outcry and inquiries by the Speaker’s office to City agencies, Guastavino’s subsequently removed signage restricting public access and took steps to clarify that the plaza is open to the public. Speaker Menin is now seeking assurances that those changes will be permanent going forward.

“Removing the signs was an important first step, but now we need a clear and lasting resolution that ensures this plaza remains open to the public and that there is no ambiguity about its use in the future,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “New Yorkers should never have to fight for access to spaces that belong to them. I am requesting that Guastavino’s meet with us to come to an agreement that resolves this issue. If that cannot happen, the Council is prepared to consider what additional action may be necessary.”

The plaza has been the subject of a years-long dispute over public access. A recently filed lawsuit alleges that members of the public were repeatedly excluded from the space, that Guastavino’s represented it as private property, and that the venue used the plaza in connection with private events. News reports have also documented instances in which visitors were confronted by private security, including one incident in which a visitor was arrested by the NYPD for trespassing.

“We are grateful that Speaker Menin is following through on this issue and taking action to ensure that public space remains accessible to everyone,” said Sean Basinski, former attorney for Street Vendor Project and one of the named plaintiffs suing Guastavino’s. “We appreciate the Speaker’s leadership in helping ensure those commitments are honored going forward.”

The Speaker is considering filing an amicus curiae—also known as a friend of the court brief—in the ongoing litigation, clarifying the plaza’s designation as City-owned property and speaking to commitments made through the City’s land use process. Speaker Menin is first requesting a meeting with Guastavino’s to determine if the issue can be resolved without further intervention from the Speaker’s office.

The plaza has been owned by the City since 1900, when it was purchased as a part of construction of the Queensboro bridge.

###