Community Alerts 11.26.24

NYC DOT First Deputy Commissioner Receives Sloan Public Service Award

Congratulations to NYC Department of Transportation First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione on receiving a 2024 Sloan Public Service Award! Presented by the Fund for the City of New York, these prestigious awards—often called the “Nobel Prize of NYC Public Servants”—acknowledge the contributions of civil servants who exhibit an extraordinary level of commitment to the public. Congrats to First Deputy Commissioner Forgione and all the other outstanding winners!

Greenmarket Holiday Schedule

The weekly Greenmarket in Richard Tucker Park will be open on Wednesday, November 27, and closed on Thursday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. Make sure to plan ahead and complete your shopping on Wednesday. The market will resume its regular schedule on Saturday, November 30.

Elevator Replacements at 66th Street-Lincoln Center Subway Station

To improve customer experience and modernize the transit system, the MTA is replacing elevators at various stations. Construction for the 66th Street-Lincoln Center Subway Station has begun. Two elevators that provide access to the 1 Train will be closed and removed for replacements through mid-2025. One elevator is located at street level of 66th Street and Broadway (south side), providing access to South Ferry. The other is located at street level on 66th Street and Broadway (north side), providing access to Van Cortlandt Park-bound platforms. If you have questions, contact the MTA by calling (212) 430-1525 or emailing 37ElevatorsProject@gmail.com. To learn about the status of other elevators or escalators, visit the MTA's website.

Updates from the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

New Rules for Setting Out Residential Trash Now in Effect

All properties with 1-9 residential units are now required to use bins (55 gallons or less) with secure lids to set out trash. You can use a compliant bin (55 gallons or less with a secure lid) that you already have, but starting June 2026, you MUST use an Official NYC Bin. The NYC Bin is available for purchase at www.bins.nyc or by calling 1-855-NYC-BINS for a significantly lower price than similar bins at retail stores. Learn more about NYC Bins here. Join one of DSNY’s weekly online info sessions to learn more about residential containerization across the city.

Recycling and Composting

NYC Bins are also available to order for recycling (blue and green bins) and composting (brown bins), although they are not required. Curbside Composting is now mandatory citywide. However, there is a warning period until spring 2025, after which NYC residents will be subject to fines. Set out your leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper in bins (55 gallons or less) with secure lids and labeled as compost. Extra leaf and yard waste can be put in paper lawn and leaf bags or clear plastic bags.

Final Reminder for Restaurants

Any establishment that does not remove its roadway setup by the end of the day this Friday, November 29, will be subject to fines. Under legislation passed by the New York City Council, the roadway outdoor dining season operates from April 1 through November 29 each year, while sidewalk outdoor dining continues year-round. The Dining Out NYC Marketplace is available as a resource to help businesses find storage, setup, and rental solutions for their outdoor dining furniture and materials. Restaurants can visit the Dining Out NYC website for more information, which includes an FAQ on program rules, the Setup Menu with design options for compliant outdoor dining setups, and access to the optional Dining Out NYC Marketplace for purchasing or renting outdoor dining materials and services.

Required Signs for NYC Restaurants & Bars Guide

The NYC Hospitality Alliance, in partnership with the NYC Department of Small Business Services, updated and released "Required Signs for NYC Restaurants & Bars", a guide that outlines the signage you need to display in your restaurant or bar. You can request your copy here and find many additional resources at the City’s NYC Restaurant Resource Guide.

Businesses: Avoid Federal Fines

As part of the Corporate Transparency Act, businesses need to report information about the individuals who own or control them by December 31, 2024. Any newly formed businesses must do the same within 90 days of being registered with the state. Businesses will be fined for not registering the appropriate information. Completing the form is free. You do not need to pay to process this one-time filing for your business. Businesses may be subject to civil penalties of $500+ for each day that they have not completed the filing requirement. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will host several sessions in the next month, where you can learn which companies need to file, the contents and timing of the filings, and the process of completing such filings. RSVP for an upcoming info session here.

NYC Funds Finder for Businesses

Do you need financing for your small business? NYC Funds Finder from the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) provides free access to loan and grant resources. SBS has partnered with Next Street to make affordable financing more accessible to all NYC entrepreneurs, including women and minority-owned businesses. The NYC Funds Finder provides custom lists of loans and grants for your business through our Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) partners and other responsible lenders, free one-on-one financial counseling, and help with documentation preparation.

Get Involved in NYC Local Government

Interested in getting involved in local government? Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s office is hosting a "Get Involved in Local Government" webinar on December 5 at 5:00pm, where you can hear from local leaders who are doing important work to shape their communities. You can also get involved by attending a community board meeting, volunteering at your local school, or simply contacting your elected officials to share your concerns! The Manhattan Borough President also coordinates the Manhattan Volunteer Corps, which provides additional volunteer opportunities. 

Utility Scam Awareness

Earlier this month, Con Edison and other utility companies observed International Fraud Awareness Week. Con Edison is urging customers to stay vigilant and learn to identify the tactics scammers use to pose as company employees. Scammers often demand personal information and create a sense of urgency to trick their targets. Signs that the person contacting a Con Edison customer is a scammer include calling customers and instructing them to buy a pre-paid card; demanding payment via apps like Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle; or having customers give up their Con Edison account number, Social Security number or other personal information. Phone scammers can even manipulate caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate Con Edison number. Once a customer makes a payment, scammers often claim the transaction failed and demand additional payments, leading some victims to lose thousands of dollars. To avoid these scams, customers should always use the approved bill payment options available on Con Edison’s website.

Traffic Advisories

Need to know about upcoming bridge and street closures? Visit DOT’s webpage for the weekly traffic advisory and weekend traffic advisory.