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Sidewalk Shed Monitoring & Removal
NEW Sidewalk Shed Designs
In February 2024, the City commissioned two leading design firms, Arup and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), to reimagine pedestrian protection around buildings and construction sites. Each team developed three innovative sidewalk shed designs that enhance public safety, improve pedestrian experience, and contribute positively to the streetscape. The designs also prioritize cost-effective, readily available materials to encourage widespread adoption. Together, the six new concepts represent a significant upgrade from the traditional hunter-green pipe-and-plywood sheds that have long drawn public criticism.
Under the leadership of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, DOB is developing rules to make all six designs available for use citywide. The design specifications will be open source and publicly accessible online. The rules are expected to be finalized this year, with the new sheds beginning to appear across NYC in 2026.
PAU’s team included LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, Tang Studio Architect, Fisher Marantz Stone, RWDI, Dharam Consulting, and Langan. Arup’s team included KNE Studio, Core Scaffolding, and Reddymade.
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Design 1: The Speed Shed (designed by PAU)
Potential Use Case: A light duty shed that it is quick to deploy and quick to move. Good for short-term projects and emergency repairs. The design features an angled roof with netting, allowing natural light on to the sidewalk.
Design 2: The Rigid Shed (designed by Arup)
Potential Use Case: A heavy duty shed for major projects, like tower crane operations and high-rise construction. The design features a small footprint on the sidewalk and minimal obstruction for pedestrians.
Design 3: The Baseline Shed (designed by PAU)
Potential Use Case: A versatile shed that comes in both heavy and light duty variants, adaptable to building and sidewalk dimensions on a wide variety of projects. The design features an angled transparent roof, allowing light to shine on the sidewalk.
Design 4: The Air Shed (designed by Arup)
Potential Use Case: A light duty shed that is completely lifted off the ground and anchored into the building for façade repair and window replacement projects. The cantilevered design is reminiscent of a balcony, with virtually no impact on pedestrians below.
Design 5: The Wide Baseline Shed (designed by PAU)
Potential Use Case: A heavy duty shed for major projects perfectly suited for wide sidewalks on major thoroughfares. The design features heavy duty columns spaced far apart to minimize obstructions on the sidewalk.
Design 6: The Flex Shed (designed by Arup)
Potential Use Case: A light duty shed good for maintenance work and emergency repairs. With easily adjusted roof heights and column placement, the design features a small footprint on the sidewalk that can be modified to work around unique building elements, as well as sidewalk obstructions like street signs and bus stop shelters.
The Sidewalk Shed Monitoring and Removal (SSMR) Unit, part of DOB's Façade & Local Law Unit within the Structural Engineering Compliance (SEC) Division, oversees buildings with sidewalk sheds that have remained in place for more than five years. While these sheds are installed to protect pedestrians from potential hazards, their prolonged presence often indicates delayed maintenance, unresolved façade conditions, or stalled repair projects.
To safeguard public safety, SSMR inspectors conduct proactive façade inspections and take enforcement action when necessary to ensure building owners complete required repairs. The unit’s goal is to address underlying building conditions, facilitate the timely removal of sidewalk sheds, and help restore safer, more accessible streetscapes.
Contact SSMR
280 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 393-2551
Email: ssmr@buildings.nyc.gov