Community Alerts 2.22.24

NYPD’s 20th Precinct holds monthly Build the Block meetings to allow the community to meet with the precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers and discuss public safety concerns. This month’s Sector A meeting will be held tonight, Thursday, February 22 at 6:00pm at Gateway School (211 West 61 Street). For accommodations, please contact P.O. Ali at (929) 294-5312.

Construction Updates:

According to the MTA, there is tentative construction planned on Broadway between W 60th and W 61st Street between February 20 and March 4. For details about the scheduled tasks, as well as other construction locations, find the latest Central Business District Tolling Program Construction Bulletin here.

Congestion Pricing Hearings:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) public comment period for theproposed tolling structure for Central Business District Tolling, New York’s congestion pricing program, is now open. The agency is accepting written and audio comments and will hold four hybrid virtual/in-person public hearings in February and March. For all details about how to submit comments or attend a public hearing,visit the MTA website here. The first hearing will be accessible online at mta.info/CBDTP on Thursday, February 29, at 6:00 pm, with additional hearings on Friday, March 1, at 10:00am and Monday, March 4, at both 10:00am and 6:00pm.

By planning ahead, you can make sure that your business is prepared for emergencies. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can help you create a business continuity plan to manage unexpected disasters. You will learn how to:

• Stay in Business: Identify your key business functions, employees, and documents
• Protect your Investments: Understand how to protect your assets and navigate insurance processes
• Be Ready for Action: Create a business continuity plan for your business 

Reserve your spot for the upcoming webinar (Friday, February 23, at 11:00am) here today. 

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing to amend its rules to define the term “adjacent” as it relates to vehicle idling as set forth in section 24-163 of the Administrative Code. DEP will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule online. The public hearing will take place at 11:00am on March 7, 2024. To participate in the public hearing, find meeting details here.

The Department of City Planning (DCP) will host a series of public information sessions on components of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal from 6:30pm - 8:30pm on the following dates:

• Tuesday, February 27: Diverse Housing Types (ADUs, Conversions, & Shared/Small Homes)
• Wednesday, March 27: “Missing Middle” Housing Types (transit-oriented development and “town center” zoning)
• Wednesday, April 17: Overview of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Proposal

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is the third of three City of Yes initiatives to update New York City’s zoning; the first, for Carbon Neutrality, was adopted by the Council in December; the second, for Economic Opportunity, is currently being considered by community boards and borough presidents, and will come before the City Planning Commission for a hearing and vote later this winter.

The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 29, and the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) wants to make sure all eligible New Yorkers use the NYC Free Tax Prep. New Yorkers who earned $85,000 or less for families or $59,000 or less as single filers in 2023 will be eligible to file for free with an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer using NYC Free Tax Prep. The services are also available for self-employed filers, such as small business owners, freelancers, and gig workers. 

NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for lifeguards. Completing the Lifeguard Training program and working as a lifeguard is a great way to strengthen swimming skills, work as a team, learn CPR, and work at some of NYC’s most iconic locations.Learn more and register for the qualifying test here.

Need to know about upcoming bridge and street closures? Visit DOT’s webpage for theweekly traffic advisory andweekend traffic advisory.