Community Alerts 11.9.23

MTA Construction Update

MTA’s Bridges and Tunnels Division shared an updated Construction Bulletin, which notes where construction will take place between November 3 and November 16. The construction is part of the upcoming Central Business District Tolling Program. You can view the construction bulletin here. The only location in the Lincoln Square BID that will be affected at this time is 45 West 60th Street (Columbus Avenue). For inquiries about construction, please reach the MTA at (877) 201-4015 or CBDTPConstruction@mtabt.org. 

Protest Alert

We have been advised that there is a pro-Palestinian protest planned for Friday, November 10, 2023 at 5:00pm at Columbus Circle at the intersection of 8th Avenue, Central Park South and 59th Street & Central Park West. Protestors are expected to march to an unknown location. We have no further information at this time.  

Crane Operation

West 60th Street from Broadway to Columbus Avenue will be closed on Saturday, November 11 from 7:00am to 6:00pm due to a crane operation. There will be no parking, standing, or stopping permitted, and vehicles will be towed.

Veterans Day Trash Collection

NYC Sanitation will provide regular trash, curbside composting, and recycling collection on Veterans Day (Observed), Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11, 2023.

Public Hearing on Proposed Dining Out NYC Program

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed NYC’s streets, with many restaurants opting to provide outdoor seating for safer dining. Given the popularity of the program, Mayor Adams signed a bill that created Dining Out NYC—the city’s outdoor dining program. Before the program is fully implemented next year, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is receiving input on the proposed rules. To weigh in, join DOT’s online public hearing on the proposed rules on November 20, 2023 at 10:00am (details here) or email written comments on the proposed rules to rules@dot.nyc.gov.

Holiday Construction Embargo

Between November 15, 2023, and January 2, 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will be suspending all routine work on streets, except for emergency work or for work that is granted special permission. Any non-emergency permits issued prior to September 8, 2023, are hereby suspended for the dates and locations affected. Utility cover openings are also restricted unless an emergency authorization number has been obtained from DOT. DOT’s map shows that a holiday embargo is in effect in the BID along Amsterdam Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Broadway, and Central Park West, as well as 59th Street through 66th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Central Park West. 

Holiday and Winter Safety 

During the coming cold months and the holiday season, FEMA wants to make sure that residents are prepared to eliminate fire and life safety hazards. Register to attend a webinar on November 15 at 11:00am by the FEMA Region 2 National Preparedness Division and the U.S. Fire Administration on safety and how to prepare your in-home resilience. This event will include live captioning.

Bill to Amend the Nuisance Abatement Law

On November 2, 2023, the NYC Council introduced a bill that would amend the Nuisance Abatement Law to clarify the rules around the sale or delivery of cannabis and cannabis products without the appropriate permitting and licenses from New York State. The bill would make selling cannabis a public nuisance subject to permanent and preliminary injunctions, create stricter rules around selling, delivering, or providing cannabis to anyone under 21 years of age, and make these public nuisances subject to temporary closing orders and temporary restraining orders. Learn more via the NYC City Council website. 

Sign Up to Receive a Free Smoke Detector 

The Home Fire Campaign / American Red Cross is teaming up with FDNY to provide New Yorkers with free smoke alarms ahead of the winter season, when the amount of fires they typically see increases. Fill out this form to sign up for a smoke alarm and installation. 

How Would You Make Your Council District Better?

Participatory Budgeting is an approach to allocating government funds in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. About half of NYC’s Council Members, including Gale Brewer, participate. Have an idea of how to improve the area? Share your idea this fall via this map. Volunteers will further develop ideas into complete proposals over the fall, and district residents will be able to vote on proposals in April.