Community Alerts 9.13.23

We are so proud of our clean district and are delighted that others are following our lead.

You can join the Great Broadway Sweep and help clean up the World's Most Famous Street. The Sanitation Foundation and WE❤️NYC are leading the biggest volunteer cleanup this city has ever seen, Monday, September 18, through Friday, September 22. There will be nine morning cleanups starting on both the north and south ends of the city and a huge celebration on Friday in Times Square hosted by Andy Cohen.

The cleanup closest to Lincoln Square will meet at 1700 Broadway at 54th Street. You can click here to learn more and sign up, and if you have any questions, contact volunteer@sanitationfoundation.org.

COVID-19 Updates

As of September 12, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get updated COVID-19 vaccines, which will be available by the end of this week at most places you would normally go to get your vaccines. You can read more about the CDC's recommendations for respiratory viruses here. Are you looking for a vaccination? Visit your healthcare provider, make an appointment at Duane Reade (1889 Broadway), or check out the City's vaccine finder.

Traffic Advisories

On Saturday, September 16, Broadway between West 60th Street and West 61st Street will be closed from 8:00am until 8:00pm due to a block party.

From Saturday, September 16, through Sunday, September 17, alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations are suspended for Rosh Hashanah. Parking meters remain in effect. 

On Sunday, September 24, Broadway between West 60th Street and West 61st Street will be closed from 8:00am until 8:00pm due to a block party.

On Monday, September 25, alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations are suspended for Yom Kippur. Parking meters remain in effect. 

For more information, call 311. 

Reminder: New Commercial Containerization Rules

As of August 1, all food related businesses, including restaurants, delis, grocery stores, bodegas, and caterers, must use rigid containers with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. This rule also applies to any business with five or more locations in New York City, regardless of what it sells. It is an important step in keeping our streets clean. For more information on the rule, visit DSNY's website here.

If you don't know the rule yet, attend one of DSNY's training sessions on Monday, September 18, at 6:00pm or Wednesday, September 27, at 3:00pm. 

Prepare for Hurricane Lee's Impact

New York City Emergency Management is continuing its monitoring and preparedness activities in advance of potential impacts from Hurricane Lee, a Category 3 storm currently located about 550 miles south of Bermuda. Although the storm poses no immediate threat to New York City, the agency is urging New Yorkers to remain alert and be prepared. Click here for key preparedness tips.

MTA Construction Update

MTA’s Bridges and Tunnels Division shared an updated Construction Bulletin, which notes where construction will be taking place between September 8 and October 2. The construction is part of the upcoming Central Business District Tolling Program. Central Park West will be the only street in the Lincoln Square BID affected at this time. You can view the construction bulletin here.

Con Edison 59th Street Station Permit Renewal

Con Edison has submitted an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for a NYSDEC Air Facility Title V Permit Renewal for Con Edison’s operations at their 59th Street Station. There is a virtual public meeting on this topic scheduled for September 19 at 6:30pm. You can click here to view the meeting announcement, and to learn more about the permit renewal, you can read this fact sheet.

National Preparedness Month 

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) – an annual initiative to raise awareness about preparing for emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2023 theme, set by FEMA, is "Take Control in 1, 2, 3" and focuses on preparedness for older adults. National Preparedness Month reminds us that the risks for older adults in emergency situations can be magnified by a host of factors—living alone, financial constraints, disability, or residing in isolated areas. Leave a lasting legacy – prepare for emergencies today! Check out NYC.gov/npm for events, preparedness guides, and more.

From Office to Housing: A Policy Update

While many employers are limiting their work from home policies, plenty of offices remain underutilized or empty. In response, the Adams Administration and the Department of City Planning (DCP) recently proposed three initiatives to make converting vacant office buildings into housing easier. Learn more about these citywide initiatives here.