An Update from LSBID President Monica Blum: 5.27.20

Dear Lincoln Square BID Members and Friends:

As we reach day 67 of NYC on PAUSE, we are pleased to see nascent signs of increased business activity in Lincoln Square. We are hopeful NYC will soon be able to begin Phase One of the New York Forward Re-opening plan. We know that many of our businesses will find creative and safe ways to bring us the food, services and goods we’re missing during this PAUSE.  This week alone we have heard from restaurants that are either going to begin take-out and delivery services or are expanding their offerings. Click here to see what’s currently open, a list we’re updating regularly. There are more food options and some new openings focusing on essential services such as phones and financial planning. Plus, there is more and more to enjoy from home, and this includes great online events and virtual activities. Lincoln Center announced that they’re opening their vault, so don’t miss the dance focused offerings of Dance Week from Saturday, May 30 to Thursday, June 4.  It is a mini-season, which has some wonderful archival and new programming. Even if we can’t go to the Opera this year or enjoy a live musical performance at a theater, we’re doing our best to highlight the digital offerings from our local cultural institutions through our Events Calendar on our website.

Our Clean Team is out making sure that the sidewalks and parks are litter free and our Goddard Riverside Green’s Keepers (pictured above) - who were recently featured in I Love the Upper West Side - are back after a six week hiatus. They are out daily making sure our malls are litter free. Our landscaping company is also out in the district providing regular watering and ongoing maintenance so that our green spaces, Malls, planters, and parks remain lush and inviting.  Well-maintained green spaces and a sparkling clean neighborhood are important as our businesses re-open.  Our Public Safety team is also out on a daily basis serving as the eyes and ears of the NYPD, keeping track of business activity and performing rudimentary pedestrian counts.  All of these essential services are key to a strong neighborhood poised to come back.

As the weather gets warmer, and people are eager to get out and enjoy sun and companionship, we thought it would be helpful to share some recent articles with guidance and resources that you might find helpful and of interest.

Click here to read an article from The New Yorker about lessons we can learn from studies and healthcare workers about safe re-opening practices.

Also from the New York Times, here’s advice for safely reuniting your family’s oldest and youngest generations.

This article from the Wall Street Journal details some tips for business re-opening and reducing risks as lockdowns ease.

And finally, one of our residents sent along a “laughing out loud” video (in Dutch, but which does not require translation) describing a first hair appointment.Click here for a funny take on hairdressing during corona!  

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these difficult times.   Please send us your suggestions, ideas and snippets of humor – anything that helps you through this pandemic that you think might be worth sharing.

Sincerely,

Monica

Monica Blum, President
Lincoln Square BID

PS     Be smart! Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands!