Community Alerts 4.3.25

The TUMI store at The Shops at Columbus Circle is temporarily on the second floor while their regular location is being renovated and expanded.

Alternate side parking regulations will be suspended for Passover on Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14. Parking meters will remain in effect. Download the NYCASP calendar.

As of April 1, ALL NYC residents are subject to fines if they do not separate organics from regular trash. About 40% of all residential waste is organic waste, which creates greenhouse gases in landfills as it decomposes. That’s why separating organic waste from trash and recycling can be a step towards solving the climate crisis. Learn more about the City's Curbside Composting program here.

The NYC Department of Sanitation will host free information sessions about the City’s mandatory composting rules on April 10 at 4:00pm and April 24 at 6:00pm. You can also watch a recorded info session here or this recorded webinar for building staff.

Still not quite sure how to start composting? GrowNYC is providing free comprehensive support for residents and building managers to participate in NYC’s mandatory Curbside Composting program, including: on-site assessments of waste sorting and collection areas; assistance in setting up collection spaces; training for building staff; and information sessions and workshops for residents. Apply here.

District Office Open House: Council Member Gale Brewer will hold her District Office Open House today, Thursday, April 3, from 4:30–7:30pm at 563 Columbus Avenue (at W 87 St). Stop by to meet neighbors and enjoy refreshments.

NYC Animal Care Centers Mobile Adoption Event: On Saturday, April 5, from 12:00-4:00pm, NYC Animal Care Center's Mobile Adoption event will take place outside of Council Member Gale Brewer’s District Office (563 Columbus Avenue at W 87 St). 

Voting Week for Participatory Budgeting: Each year, residents in Council Member Gale Brewer’s 6th District are able to identify and vote on ways to spend $1 million on capital projects in the district in the fiscal year. Residents of the district, ages 11 and older, can vote on the projects they want to see funded (no ID required) now through Sunday, April 6, in person or online (here). Learn about the ballot initiatives and where to vote here.

Decarbonize Your Building: On Monday, April 7, from 6:00pm–8:00pm, Fordham Law School (150 W 62nd Street, Room 3-01) will hold "Decarbonizing Your Building: A Workshop to Help You Strategize & Electrify," in partnership with Council Member Gale Brewer’s office. This free, interactive workshop is for owners, managers, and operators of residential buildings (including coop shareholders and board members). Learn from technical and financial experts about heat pumps and other high-performance technologies to make your building more efficient, and financial incentives, resources, and best practices for building decarbonization and complying with Local Law 97. RSVP (required) here.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation ("Parks”) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Renovation, Operation, and Maintenance of Snack Bars with Options for Mobile Food Units at three locations, including Verdi Square. Proposals must be submitted no later than Friday, April 4, at 2:00pm. The RFP is available for download on Parks' website. Download the RFP and click on the "Concessions Opportunities at Parks” link. Once you have logged in, click on the "download” link that appears adjacent to the RFP's description. For more information or to obtain hard copies (up to two, at no cost), prospective proposers may contact Lindsay Schott, Senior Project Manager, at (212) 360-3405 or Lindsay.Schott@parks.nyc.gov.

New York City students in grades 9-12 are invited to enter the PAL/NYPD “Police Commissioner for a Day” essay contest. This year's topic is: As Police Commissioner for a Day, what steps would you take with MTA officials to prevent and deter young people from participating in “subway surfing”? Essays must be submitted by April 25. The top winner will receive $500, a personalized plaque, and a $250 donation to their school. Learn more and apply here.

Free of charge and the only service of its kind in New York City, New York Foundation for Senior Citizens’ Home Sharing Program is a matching service that pairs “hosts” who have extra private spaces in their houses or apartments to share with responsible, compatible “guests” seeking suitable housing. Adults age 18 or older are eligible, but at least one of the participants must be age 60 or older. The program seeks to match persons for whom shared living arrangements would enhance their financial and/or social well-being, promote companionship, and relieve feelings of isolation. Learn more here.

OMNY Card vending machines have been added at the 59th Street-Columbus Circle subway station. You can find them at the following entrances: 58th & 8th Ave, Calabrese Plaza, 60th St island, and on the northwest side of 60th at Broadway. Learn more about OMNY here.