Saving Newsstands

Crain’s Insider is reporting today that the City has delayed, at the request of Judge Michael Stallman, the awarding of its street furniture bid so that the Judge can have time to release his decision on the lawsuit brought by newsstand operators. A decision is expected later this month.

The judge’s request has led to speculation that his decision would offer some relief to the newsstands whose suit argues that the street furniture contract will potentially force up to 75 newsstands to close and will leave operators with no equity in their stands. In essence, three hundred small businesses will be turned into tenant farmers for one major telecom plantation owner.