Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Dear Lincoln Square BID Members and Friends:

As many of you already know, after almost 30 years, I have decided to step down as President of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID), the organization I founded in 1996. After much reflection, I know the time is right. I am delighted to announce that, following an exhaustive search, Ralph Memoli, our Executive Vice President who has worked alongside me for the past 25 years, has been selected to succeed me as President, effective August 1, 2026. I will remain involved during the transition and continue to assist with special projects as needed.

When I began at the Lincoln Square BID, I had little more than a typewriter, a borrowed desk, and a visionary Board of Directors who believed in creating something special for this neighborhood. Together, we built an organization that has helped transform Lincoln Square into one of New York City’s most vibrant and desirable communities. Those of you who remember the neighborhood in 1995 know just how much it has changed. Lincoln Center was already a cultural anchor, but Lincoln Square looked very different from the neighborhood we know today. Together, we invested millions of dollars to make it cleaner, safer, more beautiful, and more welcoming while supporting business and residential growth.
 
Over the years, we celebrated many successes and navigated more than a few challenges. We moved into a modern office, recovered from a devastating flood that temporarily displaced us, adapted through the pandemic, witnessed the evolution of our commercial district, transformed our public spaces, and watched our residential community continue to grow. Through it all, the Lincoln Square BID has remained focused on serving this neighborhood. I am especially proud of what we have accomplished together. Our streets are spotless and inviting thanks to our outstanding Clean Team and the Goddard Riverside Green Keepers. Our neighborhood feels safe thanks to our dedicated Public Safety team and our partners at the 20th Precinct. Through our programs and events, we’ve worked hard to make Lincoln Square not only a wonderful place to live and work, but also a fun and unique destination. None of this would have been possible without our exceptional Board of Directors, whose commitment to investing in this neighborhood has never wavered, or our talented and hardworking staff. We have built strong partnerships that have benefited this community, and I have personally enjoyed working with dedicated colleagues throughout city government during my tenure.

I have complete confidence in Ralph Memoli as he assumes the presidency. Ralph has been an indispensable partner for the past 25 years, and he certainly doesn’t need training wheels. With your continued support, I know he will lead the Lincoln Square BID to even greater success. I leave knowing the organization is in excellent hands. Please join me in welcoming Ralph to this new role.

As I reflect on this decision, I realize how fortunate I have been to spend my entire career in public service. Before founding the Lincoln Square BID, I worked in the nonprofit sector, served as a congressional aide, was elected to my local school board, worked at the Department of Investigation, earned my law degree while attending night school, and later served in City Hall as an Assistant to the Mayor and in senior leadership positions at several city agencies. My final position before joining the BID was Executive Director of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Appointments. I had the privilege of serving under six New York City mayors and working alongside many extraordinary public servants. In 1981, I even married one of them. Looking back, I can honestly say I loved every minute of my career in public service.

Most importantly, I want to thank all of you. It has been a privilege to work with so many remarkable people and dedicated community organizations over the years, and I am deeply grateful for your friendship, partnership, and unwavering support. Together, we built far more than an organization—we helped shape a neighborhood and a community, and we had a great deal of fun along the way. I look forward to spending more time with my family, swimming every day, and finally enjoying some well-earned time off.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this extraordinary community. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Monica Blum, President
Lincoln Square Business Improvement District

Photo Credit: Carlos Alayo

Lincoln Square is officially getting its soundtrack back.

The Lincoln Square BID’s Summer Jazz Sensations returns for its fifth season, bringing free live lunchtime jazz to Dante Park every Wednesday from June 24 through September 16. From noon to 1:30pm, Broadway and 64th Street will come alive with world-class jazz in the heart of the neighborhood, inviting all—workers, residents, and visitors alike—to enjoy the music.

Each week delivers something fresh—new rhythms, new energy, and standout performances from acclaimed, Grammy-nominated, and emerging artists from the tri-state area and beyond. It’s an easy summer ritual: step outside, grab lunch nearby, and let the music set the pace for the afternoon.

And the experience extends beyond the performances. Select concerts will feature bites and sips from neighborhood favorites, including Le Botaniste, Rosa Mexicano, Breads Bakery, P.J. Clarke’s, and Wonder, along with intermission stretch sessions led by the West Side Y, turning a midday break into a full seasonal reset in Dante Park.

This year’s Summer Jazz Sensations lineup features:

• June 24: Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet
• July 1: Rutgers University Emerging Artists Ensemble, led by Kenny Davis
• July 8: Lucia Jackson & The Ron Jackson Trio
• July 15: Corcoran Holt Quintet
• July 22: Jason Tiemann Trio
• July 29: Steve Davis featuring Abena Koomson-Davis
• August 5: Jason Marshall: Baritone Saxophone Extraordinaire!
• August 12: Eric Person: A Centennial Tribute to Miles and Coltrane
• August 19: Nancy Kelly
• August 26: Leonieke Scheuble and Midnight Special
• September 2: Pucci Amanda Jhones
• September 9: Bobby Sanabria
• September 16: Lou Watson

Note: In the event of rain, concerts are rescheduled to Friday immediately following each Wednesday performance.

For more details, including performer bios, read the full press release here.

Summer Jazz Sensations is supported in part by Council Member Gale Brewer and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District hosted its 29th Annual Meeting at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center to celebrate another successful year of Lincoln Square’s programs, services, and community impact. With more than 100 attendees, the morning gathering welcomed property owners, nonprofit leaders, businesses, residents, City officials, and neighbors. Guests enjoyed coffee and pastries from The Independent Cafe (located inside the Atrium), along with cookies donated by Le Botaniste (156 Columbus Avenue), before taking their seats to watch a lively recap video highlighting the BID’s holiday programming.

Gary Jacob of Glenwood Management, Chair of the Board of Directors, opened the program, followed by welcoming words from Dr. Mariko Silver, President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The Hon. Julie Menin, Speaker of the New York City Council, delivered engaging remarks about her work and that of the City Council, sharing that there will be no funding cuts to libraries and cultural institutions and no increase in taxes. She also discussed the important role of business improvement districts and their collective impact on the city.

The meeting included key business matters. Vice Chair of Finance Alan Locker presented the FY 2027 Budget and FY 2026 Annual Report with financial statements. The Annual Report and the 2026 Summer Jazz Sensations flyer were distributed to attendees. Treasurer and Chair of Nominations Wendy Mosler then led the election of nine Directors and Alternates to the Board. The BID is pleased to welcome Richard Horovitz and his Alternate, Douglas Markel, of 15 Central Park West, along with several returning members.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal presented Monica Blum, President of the Lincoln Square BID, with a proclamation declaring May 5, 2026, “Monica Blum Appreciation Day” in recognition of her 30 years of service to Lincoln Square and New York City. He also discussed grant opportunities for nonprofits and plans to bring on someone dedicated to supporting small businesses. Council Member Gale Brewer spoke about the Broadway Malls, the ABC/Extell site, and the many qualities that make the neighborhood so unique, while also looking back on Monica’s lasting contributions to Lincoln Square. 

The BID recognized several exceptional team members: Clean Team Member Eloy Bravo and Public Safety Officer Pavel Chukhay and Supervisor Shaun Johnson for their hard work and dedication to keeping Lincoln Square clean, safe, and welcoming. An award was also presented to Chief Frank Lettera, Supervisor Hector Caban, and the New York City Department of Sanitation in appreciation of their continued partnership and support. 

Before adjourning the meeting, Board Chairman Gary Jacob delivered remarks honoring Monica Blum for her extraordinary commitment and nearly 30 years of service to the Lincoln Square BID since its founding in 1996. Gary praised Monica’s dedication, integrity, and lasting impact on both the organization and the Lincoln Square neighborhood, noting the dramatic transformation of the district over the past three decades. He recalled that in 1996 the Broadway Malls were filled with litter and weeds, trash lined the curbs, and crime rates were high, while today Lincoln Square is recognized as one of the cleanest, safest, and most livable neighborhoods in New York City.

Gary highlighted several accomplishments achieved under Monica’s leadership, including the BID’s first cleaning contract with Goddard Riverside in 1997, the ongoing restoration and maintenance of all ten Broadway malls as well as Richard Tucker and Dante Parks, the creation of the MLK After-School Program, decades of advocacy work on behalf of the neighborhood, and 20 successful years of Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square. He also emphasized Monica’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the district’s sidewalks and public spaces remain safe, clean, and welcoming every day. On behalf of the Board and the broader Lincoln Square community, Gary expressed deep gratitude for Monica’s remarkable legacy and acknowledged the enduring foundation she has built for the future of the organization. He concluded by thanking Monica for everything she has done for Lincoln Square and offering best wishes as she prepares to begin her next chapter. 

Monica then closed the program noting that this year’s Annual Meeting marked a major milestone for the organization, with City Council approval of a new assessment formula that includes a modest residential assessment of approximately $0.06 per square foot beginning July 1, 2026, ensuring everyone who benefits from the BID contributes fairly to its quality of life programs and services. She also spoke about her nearly 30 years of working to transform the neighborhood into a thriving district with more than 26 million annual visitors, over 25,000 residents, vibrant public spaces, and declining vacancies. As she prepares to hand over the baton to new leadership, Monica expressed gratitude to the Board, partners, staff, and her family, while giving special recognition to Ralph Memoli, the BID’s Executive Vice President, whom she called her “secret weapon.” Monica praised Ralph’s 25 years of service and partnership, noting that his operational expertise, financial stewardship, and tireless management of the BID’s day-to-day operations have been instrumental to the organization’s success and stability, ensuring that “nothing falls through the cracks.”

The Annual Meeting was a wonderful morning for the Lincoln Square community, with many attendees saying it was the best one yet. Take a look at some memorable moments from the Annual Meeting on our Flickr album. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a success, and we look forward to another great year ahead!

Photo Credit: Carlos Alayo

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District is holding its 29th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 9:30 am at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium at 1887 Broadway (between West 62nd and West 63rd Streets).

We will be joined by the Hon. Julie Menin, Speaker of the NYC Council, and possibly other elected officials. We will also review our FY ’27 budget, present our Annual Report, elect Directors and Alternates to our Board, and discuss key accomplishments.

To attend the Annual Meeting, you must RSVP and register. Owners of real property, residential owners (i.e., condo owners), nonprofit owners, commercial tenants (including those who own or work in a business), and residential tenants (renters or co-op shareholders) within the boundaries of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District may be eligible to vote in the election of Directors at our Annual Meeting.

To confirm whether your address is within the BID boundaries, please refer to this map of the BID or this list of residential buildings. This is a free event. Please check back soon for the list of nominations and the proxy form (for those eligible to vote but unable to attend).

Click here to to confirm your attendance and register to vote.

We hope to see you on Tuesday, May 5th.

Photo Credit: Mike Monti

We want to hear from you! What do you love about Lincoln Square, and how can we make this neighborhood even better?

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID) is dedicated to keeping this vibrant Upper West Side community clean, safe, beautiful, friendly, and fun. From our daily sanitation and public safety services to seasonal programming and marketing, our work is guided by the people who live, work, and visit here. We also strive to keep locals and visitors informed about what’s happening in the area.

This year’s survey gives you the chance to share your thoughts on marketing, sanitation, and public safety initiatives, as well as neighborhood programming. Your feedback shapes our priorities. Whether it’s recognizing our Clean Team and Public Safety Officers, or sharing thoughts on Summer Jazz Sensations, Magical Lights, WinteRamble, or other BID events, we value your perspective.

The survey takes just 10–15 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous, and those who choose to provide contact information will be entered into a drawing to win one of four $100 gift cards to a local eatery. Your input matters. Thank you for being part of our community!

Take the survey here.

This Black History Month, Lincoln Square is celebrating African-American culture and creativity with a diverse lineup of performances, music, and cultural programs. From live jazz and innovative showcases to virtual discussions and exhibitions, February offers many ways to explore and honor Black heritage in the area.

Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd Street) will host The Future in the Now: Young African-American Creators on Thursday, February 12, at 7:30pm, a showcase highlighting emerging Black artists working at the intersection of music, technology, and multimedia storytelling. On Thursday, February 19, at 7:30pm, the Atrium presents Black History Is for Everyone: Voices of a People’s History, a performance inspired by Brian Jones’s new book, featuring spoken word and music. The program explores Black history and challenges our understanding of race and nation. Later in the month, on Thursday, February 26, at 7:30pm, the venue presents The Sistas With Transistas: A Transformative Evening of Sound, Story, and Sistahood, featuring live performances, spoken word, and storytelling that celebrate Black sisterhood, creativity, and community.

Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to two weekends at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Broadway at 60th Street). On Friday and Saturday, February 20–21, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and bassist Endea Owens present newly commissioned works offering contemporary interpretations of Africa’s influence on jazz. Friday and Saturday, February 27–28, Caribbean Crossroads features Carlos Henriquez and Obed Calvaire with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with contemporary jazz and special guests to celebrate the vibrant sounds of the diaspora. For at-home viewers, The Metropolitan Opera offers on-demand performances highlighting African-American composers, performers, and works.

The Riverside Library branch (127 Amsterdam Avenue, between 65th and 66th Street) of the New York Public Library (NYPL) adds to Black History Month programming with a virtual teen comics chat on Thursday, February 12, at 4:00pm, exploring Black History Month alongside romance and the Lunar New Year. More broadly, the NYPL is marking the month across its system with programs, recommended reading lists, and resources for all ages that highlight Black history, culture, and creative voices. Readers can also explore these themes at the Strand Bookstore (2020 Broadway between 69th and 70th Street) through its Black Stories of Friendship collection, celebrating African-American voices and connections.

The NYPL’s exhibition Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way, on view through Saturday, February 21, at the Library for the Performing Arts (40 Lincoln Center Plaza), examines the pivotal role Black performers, composers, and creators played in shaping Broadway, highlighting moments of innovation, resistance, challenge, and lasting influence on American theater. On Saturday, February 21, at the American Folk Art Museum (2 Lincoln Square), see Alexandria Eregbu’s Blue Magic, an immersive sonic and textile performance celebrating Black heritage and creative traditions. Blending poetry, field recordings, folk music, and indigo‑dyed textiles, it explores the deep histories of the color blue, ancestral memory, and material culture.

This Black History Month, the Store at MAD (2 Columbus Circle) is highlighting a curated selection of work by Black designers and makers, showcasing pieces rooted in craft, imagination, and cultural expression across a range of materials and creative perspectives. After exploring Lincoln Square’s Black History Month programming, visitors can continue the celebration with a meal at Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, inside David Geffen Hall). Chef Onwuachi, a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Chef, serves inventive Afro‑Caribbean–inspired cuisine rooted in heritage and bold flavors. Tatiana has earned acclaim from The New York Times and was named Best Black‑Owned Restaurant in 2025 by Travel Noire.

Just outside Lincoln Square, visitors can engage with history through The New York Historical‘s (170 Central Park West) talks and gallery tours, including programs on the Gay Harlem Renaissance (Saturday, February 14, at 11:30am) and Malcolm X (Tuesday, February 17, at 6:30pm). NYC Parks is hosting a tour of Seneca Village, a 19th-century African-American community, on Saturday, February 14, at 1:00pm, providing a glimpse into Manhattan’s rich historical past. For those looking to explore further, the NYC Tourism Black Experience in NYC guide offers maps, stories, and cultural highlights across the city, helping visitors discover Black history and heritage beyond Lincoln Square.

With performances, discussions, exhibitions, and community programs, Lincoln Square and its nearby cultural institutions offer a vibrant array of ways to celebrate Black History Month this February.

Photo Credit: The Metropolitan Opera

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (LSBID) is seeking proposals from qualified firms through this request for proposals (RFP) to provide Sanitation Services and Area Maintenance to the LSBID. The RFP can be found by clicking here. 

The LSBID will hold a pre-bid conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. for those firms interested in submitting proposals. While not mandatory, the conference will give proposers the opportunity to ask questions. Please do not call the office, as individual questions will not be entertained prior to the pre-bid conference. If you plan on submitting a proposal and would like to attend the pre-bid conference, please RSVP by emailing Aquilino Cabral at acabral@lincolnsquarebid.org and Summer Smith at ssmith@lincolnsquarebid.org. Please provide your name, company name, and contact information when RSVPing. Only those who RSVP will be able to attend. Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025. MWBE businesses are encouraged to apply. To learn more about the Lincoln Square BID, visit lincolnsquarebid.org. 

It’s time to mark your calendars for Holidays in Lincoln Square!

Our Magical Lights at Dante and Richard Tucker Parks are coming back! The kick-off event will take place on Thursday, December 4, at Dante Park when we will light up Lincoln Square. Also save Wednesday, December 17, for our 4th Annual WinteRamble—an illuminated community procession with the Frost Giant puppets (pictured) from Processional Arts Workshop. The BID will also turn on the enhanced holiday lights in our ten Broadway Malls from West 60th to 70th Street and will be organizing other festive activities for the holiday season. 

If you’re interested in volunteering at any of these events, please contact us at info@lincolnsquarebid.org. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, but save the dates now! 

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District is always working to improve its operations to foster a clean, safe, and beautiful neighborhood. To further this goal, the BID is thrilled to welcome two talented new members—Summer Smith and Scott Etkin—to its small, dedicated team.

Summer started in August as the BID’s Information & Economic Data Manager. In this role, she is diving into New York City’s property and building databases to ensure the BID can best serve the businesses and property owners in the area, as well as locals and visitors to the district. She is also compiling detailed data and reports to improve the BID’s sanitation, maintenance, beautification, and public safety services, and is tracking our retail availability.

Summer comes to the BID directly from receiving her Master’s degree in Urban Planning at Columbia University. While there, she studied with our colleague, Matt Bauer, the President of the Madison Avenue BID, and gained hands-on experience at the NYC Department of Buildings. She also spent countless hours at the city’s Department of Finance looking through microfilms of old property deeds for her thesis on covenants as an alternative form of land use control. Originally from New Jersey, Summer left for college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is enjoying life back on the East Coast, lives on the Upper West Side, and enjoys exploring new breakfast places and going on walks in Riverside Park, where she indulges her love of all things flowers and plants (currently her favorite type of flower is peonies).

Scott joined the BID in late August as a Marketing & Communications Manager. He is helping to spread the word about all the great things happening in the neighborhood—such as the BID’s Summer Jazz Sensations series of free concerts in Dante Park—and will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive marketing and communications program to support local businesses, cultural institutions, and BID services. Scott’s professional background is in consulting—he has ten years of experience working at firms that specialize in public relations and software design.

As a native New Yorker, he has long been interested in local issues and how the city works. It’s this interest—particularly in small businesses, sanitation, parks, and transportation—that led him to write in his spare time for West Side Rag, a local news site. Over the past three years, he has contributed more than 300 articles about notable residents and changes happening around the Upper West Side neighborhood. Scott lives with his wife and their dog in the West 70s, just north of the district. They love to get dinner at Le Botaniste and see the amazing students from Juilliard perform at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.

If you see Summer and Scott on the street, be sure to stop and say hello! They would love to hear about your favorite spots in Lincoln Square and what local issues matter most to you. To contact them directly, they can be reached at ssmith@lincolnsquarebid.org and setkin@lincolnsquarebid.org.