Not sure what the market's actual name is -- it changes every couple of years -- but the one on the northeast corner of 9th St and 4th Ave in South Slope. For years they kept the fruit stands within the painted line by the building, but the last month the watermelon bins have been moved all the way down to the curb ramp for the crosswalk. I'm not anti-produce display and I don't want to be the person who calls 311 on a small business, but that particular corner is already terrible for sightlines: the crosswalk across 4th is right where trucks swing wide off the avenue, and when the bins are stacked three high you can't see a car turning until you're basically in the lane.

The bins also leak. The watermelon side drips down into the curb cut and the rinds end up kicked into the gutter, so on hot days the whole ramp smells like fruit going off. I've watched a woman in a wheelchair have to back up into the bike lane because the boxes blocked the landing pad, and parents with strollers just push into the street.

Does anyone know if this is a licensed sidewalk display? I know produce stands can get a sidewalk license, but I thought the protected zone around a crosswalk ramp has to stay clear. Is 311 actually useful for this, or do they close it out as 'no violation' because it's a permitted stand? I'd rather talk to the owner if that's the better route, but I've seen the same setup at a few other corners on 5th and 9th, so maybe it's just the norm now?

Yo that spot has been creeping into the crosswalk for a minute. I go by on a Citi Bike and it's not a big deal for me, but the stroller thing is real. If you call 311, use 'blocked crosswalk' not 'illegal vendor'. They actually seem to open a case for that and send sanitation or DOT? Can't remember which. The bodega on 10th is the same owners maybe? They'll just drag the bins back for 2 days and then they're out again. Honestly the whole block needs one of those neckdown things, but good luck.

I just moved to 9th St a few months ago and I didn't know there was a rule about displays at all. I bought a mango there last week and it was good. Do you mean the ramp right by the Q train steps? I usually just walk around but I've seen people with canes stepping off the curb. If the owner is nice maybe just ask? I don't want to be the new person complaining about something that's been there forever. Is there actually a painted line for the sidewalk stalls?

DykerNewbie, yes the sidewalk license usually has a required clear path -- often 8 feet or whatever the block width allows -- but the crosswalk ramp area is a separate ADA thing. The problem with 'just ask the owner' is that the guy will smile and move it and then the delivery on Tuesday puts it right back. I'd still say something once, because some owners don't realize the ramp landing is the issue until someone says it. Then if it's back, 311 app with a photo. The photo has to show the blocked ramp and not just the general stand or they'll close it. Zoning_zadie, I think the right category is 'sidewalk obstruction' and maybe 'crosswalk blocked' if it exists. Don't expect NYPD, it'll sit for a while but sometimes the Market Manager from DOT shows up.