Community Alerts 3.6.24

As of March 5, applications are open for Dining Out NYC. All eligible food service establishments are welcome to apply citywide. Restaurants that are actively participating in the temporary Open Restaurants program need to apply by August 3 in order to continue operating outdoor dining setups. Once their application is approved, outdoor dining setups will need to comply with the permanent Dining Out NYC design requirements within 30 days. An online application, information about the new guidelines and resources available to help can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/diningoutnyc. Businesses can call 212-839-4500 with any questions.

The New York Road Runners will host the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon on Sunday, March 17, at 7:00am. The race begins on Washington Ave near the Brooklyn Museum and ends on West Drive (Central Park) near 68th Street. Within the BID, Central Park West from 59th Street to 72nd Street will be closed the day of the race between 6:00am and 1:00pm, and the area will be a no parking zone beginning at 9:00am on Saturday, March 16. Find the race map here.

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 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.

Business opportunities valued at or above $100,000 are published in The City Record Online, and anyone can sign up to receive email notifications about new solicitations in their fields of interest. Sign up to receive email notifications from the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Service about these opportunities here. 

On February 11, a new law went into effect in New York State. Businesses are now required to clearly post the cost of purchasing items with a credit card, including any surcharges. Businesses are also not allowed to impose a credit card surcharge greater than what they are charged by the processing company. Learn more here, or find additional guidance from the NYS Department of State’s guidance document. 

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

• 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 is now accepting tax returns, 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.

For updates on everything free textile recycling events to climate change and energy discussions, sign up for the UWSR Eco Letter. This free e-newsletter comes from Upper West Side Recycling six times a year. Read the March/April 2024 newsletter here, and learn more about UWSR and sign up for their newsletter here. 

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.