Update from LSBID President Monica Blum: 4.22.20

Dear Lincoln Square BID Members and Friends:

 

I hope that you are staying safe and well as we navigate these challenging times. We are feeling somewhat hopeful, as Governor Cuomo's daily reports suggest that the COVID-19 numbers are getting better, although we know that we still have quite a long way to go. Sadly so many people have died as a result of this virus - we learned the other day that Judy Richheimer, our long term tour guide passed away from COVID-19. Judy led walking tours around Lincoln Square for many years and brought the history of our neighborhood to life with her wit, wonderful photos and amazing stories. We send our condolences to her family and friends.

 

Yesterday, we held our first ever virtual Board of Directors' meeting via Zoom! At the meeting we adopted a paired down - COVID-19 - FY '21 budget, which maintains the same assessment, but eliminates a number of programs. Property owners' assessment billing rates for FY '21 will be approximately the same as last year. The Board also approved the nomination of several new Directors and Alternates as well as reappointments to our Board.  We will be presenting these items to our membership at a Virtual Annual Meeting of the Membership on Thursday, May 14 at 9:00am (as previously announced).  We will be posting more information, including the registration link, on our website. This meeting will be held via Zoom and you will have to register to attend and be eligible to vote or to submit a proxy.

 

Today is Earth Day and Earth Week! The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is celebrating Earth Week virtually with fun nature-themed activities and live broadcasts on their Facebook and Twitter. Click here to view all of NYC Parks' Earth Week events. If you're unable to get outdoors, you can also visit Lincoln Square virtually through our Flickr. Our great photographer, Filip Wolak, has been visiting Lincoln Square multiple times throughout the past month to capture images of our streets, spring garden maintenance and open businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has taken fantastic photos so far and will continue to cover the district. Check out Filip's photos in our COVID-19 Flickr album here.

 

Two of Lincoln Square's local institutions are bringing culture and a sense of community to people's homes during this time. New York City Ballet (NYCB) canceled their Spring 2020 performances at Lincoln Center, but has now launched a fantastic "Digital Spring Season" bringing NYCB to your home screens with a full slate of performances, online classes, and more. Check out the full programming for the NYCB Digital Spring Season here. And, the American Folk Art Museum (AFAM) has launched a Community Quilt Project. Signature quilts are typically a collective undertaking with each block created by and/or named for a different member of a community. In the spirit of collaboration, AFAM invites you to create your own squares and add them to a quilt for the project. Click here for more information on the Community Quilt Project and to find out how you can contribute your own quilt square.

 

Attention small businesses: the Facebook Small Business Grants Program is still accepting applications. Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to help small businesses during this challenging time. To be eligible for the grant, you must have between two and 50 employees and be in business for a year. Applications close May 6! Learn more about the program and apply here. You can also visit our site for a list of other financial resources that you may be eligible for.

 

And, as a reminder, under new guidance issued by New York State, non-essential retail establishments can fulfill delivery orders placed remotely via phone or online. Only one employee may be physically present at the business location to fulfill orders. Here is a sample notice businesses can use to notify their customers and neighbors. 

 

Lastly, are you looking for ways that you can give back to the Lincoln Square Community? Goddard Riverside runs the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center at Amsterdam Houses, an organization with which we have worked for years and is steps outside our district. It is our understanding that there are many people, including many seniors, living in Amsterdam Houses or who are affiliated with LSNC who may need assistance, including food, so Goddard has set up a direct relief fund for our neighbors. Please consider making a donation to support the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center by clicking here.

 

For up-to-date information, visit our website at www.lincolnsquarebid.org. And, please continue to reach out and let us know if there is information that we should be aware of, and if you have suggestions as to how we can better serve you.

 

Sincerely,