Community Alerts 6.8.23

Air Quality Health Advisory

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory citywide until 11:59 PM on Friday, June 9.

The Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene & NYC Emergency Management advises everyone to limit outdoor activity as much as possible while the advisory is in effect. Vulnerable populations, including those with heart or respiratory problems, children & older adults may be especially sensitive to current air quality conditions. It is strongly recommended that organizations cancel or postpone outdoor events, or move these activities indoors. Alternate Side Parking is suspended today, June 8, and tomorrow, June 9.

NYC Emergency Management and the Health Department recommend taking the following steps:

• Stay indoors and keep windows closed.
• If you have an air conditioner, turn off the fresh air intake. Prevent outdoor air from getting inside.
• If you have an air purifier, keep it turned on.
• Wear a high-quality mask, like an N95 or KN95, if you have to go outside.

Each New Yorker will be able to receive two free N-95 masks at all NYPD Precincts. You can find your precinct and sector here. In Manhattan, you can also get masks at FDNY Division 1 at 100 Duane Street, FDNY Division 3 at 207 W 77th Street, and East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center at 158 East 115th Street. Masks are also available at these subway stations: Grand Central 4/5/6, Fulton St 4/5, Penn Station 1/2/3, and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer E/J/Z.

For more information, click here.

Traffic Advisories

For about the next nine weekends, 60th Street will be partially closed between Broadway and Columbus Avenue due to a crane operation. Only one lane will be open to vehicular traffic. 

There is roadway paving scheduled in Lincoln Square on Thursday, June 8, on Columbus Avenue between West 62nd Street and 9th Avenue. There is no parking overnight from about 6:00pm to 6:00am on those streets. Please note that schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or emergencies. Click here to visit the City's weekly resurfacing schedule.

There is no parking on West 60th Street between Broadway and 9th Avenue from 12:01am on Saturday, June 10, through 11:59pm on Sunday, June 11.

On Saturday, June 10, there is no parking on West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West from 6:00am - 4:00pm.

For more information, call 311. 

2023 Primary Election on June 27

The New York City primary election is on Tuesday, June 27. Here are a few dates you should be aware of. Monday, June 12, is the deadline to update your address and request an absentee ballot (online or by mail). Saturday, June 17, is the deadline to register to vote, as well as when early voting begins, which runs through Sunday, June 25. You can view additional important dates here or here. You can register to vote or check your registration status here. To learn more about the primary, including candidate information, click here.

Central Business District Tolling Program

The Final Environmental Assessment and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Central Business District Tolling Program are now available on the Project website here. The official 30-day public availability period concludes on June 12, 2023. You can read Governor Hochul’s announcement here. 

Permanent Open Restaurants 

New York City Council has finalized a bill that establishes a permanent outdoor dining program, which is anticipated to become law this summer. Additional requirements for siting, setups, and materials will be established via the rulemaking process expected to be completed by December 2023. No changes are required right now to your existing outdoor setups but please ensure that they are fully compliant with current NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) program siting guidelines! SBS is working closely with DOT to develop clear, plain-language guidance for restaurant owners and operators to ensure they understand details of the finalized bill, next steps in the process, and an overview of proposed additional program requirements.

Older Adult Tech Clinic

On Tuesday, June 20, from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Council Member Gale Brewer will host an Older Adult Tech Clinic at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (62nd St. & Broadway). There will be one-on-one help with laptops, smartphones, tablets, and basic software. To RSVP for a slot in one of the three hours available, call (212) 873-0282. 

DSNY Public Hearing and Comment Period on Proposed Rules

The Department of Sanitation has released a draft rule to require all food service establishments to place food garbage in sturdy sealed containers rather than garbage bags. DSNY will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule, which will take place via Webex at 10:00am on June 22, 2023. Click here for more information.

SBS FY22 BID Trends Report

The NYC Department of Small Business Services recently released its FY22 BID Trends Report. Check out the digital report here.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for NYC Children Starts June 28

Starting Wednesday, June 28, all NYC children ages 18 and under will be eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch Mondays through Fridays at meal sites across the City, including the Upper West Side’s Martin Luther King Jr and Brandeis High School campuses. For details including days of week and meal times (which vary across locations), visit the DOE Summer Meals website.