News

Items of Interest from the October 9th Eblast

ITEMS OF INTEREST

LAST CALL! CB2 WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR PRIORITIES FOR NEXT YEAR’S CITY BUDGET
Please share your ideas for budget priorities for the City’s Budget for 2027-28 by answering the survey found by clicking here.

ITALIAN HERITAGE-COLUMBUS DAY / INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

The dual holiday is observed on Monday, October 12^th this year.
The Department of Sanitation reminds us that there will be no trash, composting or recycling collection that day. Residents who normally receive collection on Mondays may place their materials on the curb on Monday evening for collection during the next cycle.
As a City holiday, most City government offices (including the CB2M District Office) will be closed.

FDNY OPEN HOUSES

On Saturday October 17^th or Sunday October 18^th more than 200 Firehouses and EMS locations will open their doors to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm or from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for the 2026 FDNY Open House. Come meet the dedicated FDNY firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who serve our communities every day. Visitors will have an opportunity to: Learn Important Fire and Life Safety Tips; See exciting Demonstrations; Learn about careers with the FDNY; Tour firehouses, engines, ladder trucks and EMS Stations . To learn more, please click here.

CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARADE

Save the Date – Saturday, October 31^st from 3-6 pm. Sponsored by NYU and CB2, the Children’s Parade is the daytime (PG-rated) alternative to the celebrated nighttime parade for adults. In Washington Square Park and on West 3^rd Street – with fun for the whole family. For more information, please click here.

OUTDOOR DINING – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES

The Department of Transportation has published proposed amendments to the Rules governing the Dining Out NYC Program. The proposed rules amendments will be the subject of a public hearing on Monday, November 9^th at 10 am. The hearing will be online-only. For the notice of the public hearing that includes details on how to join online, as well as the substance of the proposed rule changes, please click here.

FREE FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE WHITNEY

The Whitney Museum offers free admission from 5–10 pm on Fridays, with special programming throughout the Museum. On October 9^th, the Whitney  Free Friday Nights program features Live Music Sets: Marc Ribot, Che Chen, Talice Lee and Barry Weisblat; as well as opportunities to tour highlights of the exhibition “Untitled” (America) and The Lost World: The Art of Minnie Evans; as well as the Whitney Biennial 2026. For more information and free tickets, please click here.

Also at the Whitney:

At its Free Second Sunday on October 11, the Whitney offers free admission to its latest exhibition Roy Lichtenstein: Like New. The event includes hands-on activities, performances, and experiences for visitors of all ages. Advance (free) tickets are recommended.

NYC GROCERY INITIATIVE SURVEY

The Mayor’s Grocery Initiative team wants to hear from you. The survey asks a number of specific questions related to people’s grocery shopping experiences, and provides an opportunity for respondents to given open-ended feedback at the end. To access the survey, please click here.

NATURAL GAS ALARMS REQUIRED

As of January 1^st, NYC will require natural gas alarms and detection systems under Local Law 157 of 2016 DOB regulations. The requirements generally apply to residential occupancies classified as R-1 (hotels and transient lodging facilities), R-2 (apartment buildings and multifamily housing) and R-3 (One- and two-family homes). For more information, please click here.

DRAWING SESSION IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

Join artist Samsam Graves at the English Elm tree in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park on Sunday, October 11^th from 11:30 to 1 for a free drawing session, sponsored by Washington Square Park Eco Projects and Behold. To learn more, please click here.

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROJECTS

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s office is offering reimbursement grants to support local nonprofits and public schools with education or criminal justice projects. The deadline for applications is October 16. To learn more, please click here.

STREET TREE CARE

Council Member Carl Wilson is sponsoring a Street Tree Care clinic on Thursday, October 15^th from 3 to 5 pm at the NYC AIDS Memorial at 76 Greenwich Avenue. To learn more, please click here.

UPDATES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:

Breast Cancer – NYC Health– October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. NYC DoHMH reminds that routine screenings can help find breast cancer before it causes health problems. When breast cancer is caught earlier, it is often easier to treat and even cure. Most insurance plans cover cancer screening, often without a copay. If New Yorkers do not have insurance, they may be eligible to sign up for low- or no-cost health insurance. You can also get free assistance signing up for a plan. If New Yorkers, do not have a health care provider, cannot get insurance or insurance does not cover screening, call 311 to find a nearby New York City Health + Hospitals clinic and find any low- or no-cost care.

Respiratory Illnesses – NYC Health. Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV can spread through sneezing, coughing, and talking. Symptoms include feeling tired, feverish, and congested. They are more common in fall and winter when people spend more time indoors and close together. Steps to prevent getting and spreading respiratory illnesses include: Getting vaccinated; Staying home when sick; Covering coughs and sneezes; Wearing a mask; and Washing hands.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING AND PREVENTION

Join the NYC Health Department for a free virtual webinar: “Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention” pm Tuesday, October 20^th from 10 – 11 am. To join the webinar, please click here (no pre-registration required).

MANHATTAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STOREFRONT SURVEY

The C of C seeks to better understand the well-being of Manhattan’s storefront businesses through its bi-annual survey. Business owners are asked to respond to the survey, available here, through November 20^th. To learn more, please click here.

RE: FOOD INSECURITY:

FOOD TOWN HALL

Sponsored by the NYC Department for the Aging, The Food Town Hall will provide an opportunity for older adults and community members to share their experiences and provide feedback on the meals served at Older Adult Centers. Attendees will also have an opportunity to comment on NYC Aging’s Annual Plan Summary, which provides an overview of the services and programs offered by the agency.

The event is open to everyone, including older adults who do not attend an Older Adult Center, as well as caregivers, community advocates, and other interested community members. To learn more, please click here.

Manhattan Town Hall:
Wednesday, October 21, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Lenox Hill Neighborhood House
331 E 70th Street

FOOD INSECURITY RELIEF CENTERS IN COMMUNITY BOARD 2’s DISTRICT

For a list of resources available for those experiencing food insecurity, please click HERE.

To add to or correct information about available resources on our list, please email [email protected] or call 212-979-2272 (M-F 10 to 6)

SOCIAL CARE NETWORK

The Social Care Network offers assistance to Medicaid-eligible families with social needs, including food and nutrition support and housing assistance. To learn more, please click here.

UFT PARENT CONFERENCE 2026

The UFT invites parents to the 2026 Parent Conference on Saturday, October 17^th at 52 Broadway. Keynote Speaker will be NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. For more information, please click here.

PREP FOR PREP

Prep and PREP 9 are currently accepting nominations for eligible students. Students admitted to the program undergo a 14-month preparatory course and receive ongoing support through middle school, high school, college, and beyond. To learn about an information session, please click here.

MAYOR’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Scholarship opportunities are available for City employees who want to pursue a graduate degree. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) is accepting applications for the 2027-2028 Mayor’s Scholarship Program for graduate studies. This is a competitive program with a limited number of scholarships available. The citywide deadline for City employees to apply through their Agency Personnel Office is Friday, November 13^th. Some agencies might have earlier or later submission dates. Check with your Agency Personnel Office regarding agency-specific deadlines.

BID EXPANSIONS:

VILLAGE ALLIANCE SURVEY

The Village Alliance is exploring a potential expansion of services to include additional commercial blocks in the neighborhood. As part of this planning process, we’r’ asking businesses, property owners, and anyone who’s frequently in the neighborhood to share their perspectives on the area’s needs (e.g. more greenery, cleaner streets, etc.). For more information, please click here, here, and here.

Please respond to the Village Alliance’s Survey by clicking here.

UNION SQUARE PARTNERSHIP SURVEY

A Cleaner, Safer, More Welcoming Block

Union Square Partnership (USP) is exploring a potential expansion of its business improvement district, and is inviting residents, business owners, and property owners in the surrounding area to share their experiences and priorities through a short survey about neighborhood conditions and services. To take the survey, please click here.

COMMISSION ON GENDER EQUITY

The NYC Commission on Gender Equity’s next public meeting will be on Thursday, October 22 at 6 pm. The Commission seeks responses to its survey HERE to inform the discussion on “gender equity is economic justice: building an affordable city for all genders.”

COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

The Charter Revision Commission on Government Efficiency has now adopted a final report and proposed Charter amendments that will appear on the ballot in November. For links to the final report, propose Charter amendments, proposed ballot questions and more, please click here.

NYPL BRANCH EVENTS AND UPDATES

For the Hudson Park Branch Library, please click here.
For the Jefferson Market Branch Library, please click here.
Mulberry Street Branch Library, please click here.

Recommended Reading Lists from the Branch Libraries:

NYC BEST

The NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST) serves as a single point of contact between City agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs to help: streamline interactions with city agencies; navigate permit and licensing processes; connect you to government resources; educate you on city rules and regulations. To learn more, visit nyc.gov/NYCBEST.

REPORTING STORM DAMAGE

To report damage from the recent severe weather storms, please click here.

SATURDAY CITIZENSHIP CLINICS

CUNY Citizenship Now!’s next Saturday Citizenship Clinic is scheduled for October 17^th (in The Bronx). For more information, please click here.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK EVENTS

For updates from the Washington Square Park Conservancy, please click here.

HUDSON RIVER PARK EVENTS

For a calendar of events in Hudson River Park, please click here.

HIGH LINE PROGRAMMING

For the latest Free Events and program on the High Line, please click here.

SUBWAY SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

Due to communications improvements, there will be no L trains between Lorimer St, Brooklyn and 8^th Ave Manhattan, October 9-12, Friday 11:15pm to Monday 5:00am.

The L will run every 8 minutes (days/evenings) in Brooklyn between Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy and Lorimer St, the last stop.

Travel Alternatives: In Manhattan, free L92 shuttle M14A buses run between 14 St/8 Av, 14 St/6 F M and Delancey St-Essex St F M J stations.

For service between Brooklyn and Manhattan, use the A or J via transfer at Broadway Junction.

In Manhattan, free L92 shuttle and M14A buses make L stops along 14 St between 1 Av and 8 Av and connect with F M J trains at Delancey St-Essex St.

Also Planned improvements overnight (9:30 pm to 5:30 am) for the weeks of October 19-23 and October 26-30, there will be no D service between 59 Street – Columbus Circle and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. Shuttle buses will provide limited service between West 4^th Street-Washington Square East Broadway stations.

To learn more about weekend service changes, please subscribe to the MTA Weekender, a newsletter sent on Fridays that tracks planned weekend service changes on the subways, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad.

ADA Pedestrian Ramps
The NYC Department of Design & Construction is at work on reconstruction of ADA pedestrian ramps, installation of granite curbs, upgraded sidewalks, restored cobblestone areas, and improvements in street lighting at the following locations. For more information, please click here and here. Upcoming work on this project is expected at:

Bank Street at Greenwich Avenue – through October 16.
Bleecker Street at Perry Street – through October 16.
Bleecker Street between Mercer and Lafayette Streets – through October 16
Broadway between East Houston and Bond Streets – through October 16
Cleveland Place at Kenmare Street – through October 23.
East 10^th Street at University Place – through November 14.
Eighth Avenue at Horatio Street – through October 16.
Fifth Avenue at East 13^th Street – through October 16.
Greenwich and West 12^th Streets – through October 16.
Prince Street at Wooster Street – through October 16.
Seventh Avenue South at Perry Street – through October 16.
Varick at King Streets – through October 16.
West 10^th Street between Hudson and Bleecker Streets – weekends through November 1.

PORT AUTHORITY ADVISORIES

For the Port Authority Travel Advisory for the coming week, please click here.
Holland Tunnel lane closures for week of 10/12/26:

- From Tuesday, October 13th, through Thursday, October 15th, from 11:00 pm each night to 5:00 am the following morning, one eastbound lane will be closed.
- From Tuesday, October 13th, through Thursday, October 15th, from 11:30 pm each night to 5:30 am the following morning, one westbound lane will be closed.

FULL ROADWAY CLOSURES

Jane Street between West and Washington Streets – through November 4.
Perry Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets – weekdays and Saturdays through October 30.
Thompson Street between Houston and Bleecker Streets – through November 17.
Thompson Street between Sixth Avenue and Grand Street – through October 31.
Washington Square South between MacDougal and Sullivan Streets – [no dates provided]
Washington Street between Spring and West Houston Streets – October 17 through October 25.
Wooster Street between Prince and West Houston Streets – October 15 through October 30.

And farther uptown on the West Side Highway …

Gateway Tunnel Development – tunnel construction operations will require intermittent changes to traffic patterns on West 30^th Street and 12^th Avenue – as many as 5 to 10 times per day, weekdays and weekends through March 2027. For more inquiries about these route changes, please click here.

… and …

Re-Routing of the Bike Path / Greenway Along the Hudson – The bike lanes and pedestrian paths along the Hudson River have been re-routed for approximately 6 months to accommodate work for the Manhattan Tunnel Project. For more information, please click here.

DINING OUT NYC PUBLIC HEARINGS
Link for All Dates: Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91467302621
Meeting ID: 91467302621

Please note that CB2 only lists the DONYC public hearings

that include applications relating to our District.

[There are currently no public hearings scheduled for locations in CB2’s District]

NYC DoT Presentation – 6th Avenue Protected Bike Lane and Bus Priority Improvements

For the presentation by the Department of Transportation to Community Board 2 Manhattan’s Traffic & Transportation Committee on June 17, 2026, please click HERE.

51 Little West 12th Street BSA Variance Application

For the Applicant’s July 27, 2026 further revised submissions to the Board of Standards and Appeals, please click on the respective links below.

For the Applicant’s July 14, 2026 further revised submissions to the Board of Standards and Appeals, please click on the respective links below.

For the Applicant’s June 3, 2026 further revised submissions to the Board of Standards and Appeals, please click on the respective links below.

For the Applicant’s May 19, 2026 revised submissions to the Board of Standards and Appeals, please click on the respective links below.

For CB2M’s combined February 20, 2026 and September 18, 2025 submissions to the Board of Standards and Appeals, Please click here.

DoT Proposal to Redesign Lafayette Street/4th Avenue, Astor Place, East 8th Street and West 13th Street

CB2M May 21, 2026 Resolution in Support of the Proposed NYC DOT Street Redesigns, Subject to Modifications, for Lafayette Street/4th Avenue, Astor Place, East 8th Street and West 13th Street

For the CB2M May 21, 2026, Resolution, please click HERE.

For materials relating to the DoT Proposal to redesign Lafayette Street/4^th Avenue, Astor Place, East 8^th Street and West 13^th Street, please click on the following links:

DoT Presentation at CB2M Traffic & Transportation Committee Meeting 2026-03-24 – concerning proposals to redesign Lafayette Street/4^th Avenue, Astor Place, East 8^th Street and West 13^th Street

Resources concerning 2-way bike lane design:

NYC DOT Street Design Manual

NYC DOT Cycling at a Crossroads: the Design Future of New York City Intersections

National Association of City Transportation Officials: Designing Protected Bike Lanes

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Guide for the Development of Bike Facilities

DoT Flyers re:

388 Hudson Street

For the Presentation of “Hudson Mosaic” to the CB2 Land Use Committee on March 11, 2026, please click HERE.

For CB2’s Prior Resolutions concerning 388 Hudson Street, please click on the dates below:

NYC DOT’s PROPOSED CANAL STREET REDESIGN

DoT PROPOSAL TO REDESIGN CANAL STREET

The NYC Department of Transportation has proposed to redesign Canal Street from River to River.

For DoT’s Presentation to CB2 on July 21, 2026 Entitled “Phase 1: Canal Street West and Grand Street Redesign,” please click here.
For Community Board 2’s December 18, 2025 Resolution on the proposal, please click here.
For the Redesign Proposal, please click here.
For the recording of the Information Session co-hosted by Community Boards 1, 2 and 3 at which DoT presented the Redesign Proposal, please click here.
To respond to the DoT’s online survey concerning its Redesign Proposal, please click here.
Manhattan Bridge Crash Response / Safety Improvements Presentation, please click here.

COMPREHENSIVE EVENT PERMITTING GUIDE FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Click here to download the Comprehensive Event Permitting Guide for the City of New York.

DAPOLITO SEPTEMBER 2024 FORUM REPORT

Report – A forum to provide information concerning the proposed demolition of the Dapolito Center by the Landmarks Committee, CB2 Manhattan – September 30, 2024

The Landmarks Committee held a public forum concerning the demolition of the Dapolito Center on September 30. This meeting followed the approval of a resolution opposing the demolition by the Board at its September meeting.

The announced program for the meeting was to have a presentation on the history of the Center, a presentation by the Landmarks Commission of rules covering demolition of a contributing building in a Landmark District and demolition by neglect, and a presentation by the Parks Commission concerning the proposed demolition of the center. This was to be followed by testimony from the public with preference given to people from the neighborhood.

The history was reviewed by Dena Tasse-Winter from Village Preservation as scheduled.

The Landmarks Commission did not respond to the invitation. Susan Gammie read a summary of landmarks regulations concerning demolition of a building of historic and architectural worth in a landmarked district and demolition by neglect. This covered the same territory that would have come from a Commission representative.

The Parks Commission elected not to send a representative and Susan read a letter from the Commission saying that the question, especially the structural condition of the building, was still under study and review. They anticipate having a more information by the end of the year.

The public did not disappoint in fulfilling its part of the meeting. There was testimony from 20 members of the public, most of whom live in the neighborhood and 2 former residents. They ranged from a 4th generation woman from an Italian family through later arrivals with only two or three generations in residence to those who had arrived lately to begin professional work in New York.

There was an instance of a man who had used the pool in his therapy for Parkinson’s Disease and a young man who had grown up on Morton Street and who spoke movingly about how the Center had formed his life, ultimately inspiring him in adulthood to become teacher and life coach for young people. He concluded with a plea – “Save my childhood home.”.

We have a clear picture of the views of the public concerning the Dapolito Center through testimony that went well beyond the range of comments for a usual Landmarks Committee hearing. Landmarks regulations do not include the use of the building or interiors except those individually designated. With the purpose of the meeting to provide information to the public and hear their views, the public fulfilled its part.

It requires no divination to know that the members of the community want the Dapolitio Center campus to be restored and the programs that they love so much returned. No one complained that the pool was unsuited to Olympic Competition or that the NBA may find the court wanting. There was scant mention of the recreation facilities proposed for the affordable housing building on the adjacent water tunnel site. Those who spoke about this said that they did not want it to take the place of the center that they know and love.

The testimony was without exception passionately in favor of restoring the building and preserving the facilities and the full program’s remaining in it are a vital and necessary part of the community. This includes the building, the Keith Haring Mural, and the outdoor swimming pool as a campus. There is no separation of building and use in the minds of those who spoke. It is one thing – a community recreation center – the building and the programs indivisible – and they want their building and their programs back – and soon.

Chenault Spence

Chair, CB2 Landmarks Committee

NB: See INFORMATION ON THE TONY DAPOLITO RECREATION CENTER on the CB2 Manhattan website for documents relating to this report. The site is updated from time to time as new information is available.

INFORMATION ON THE TONY DAPOLITO RECREATION CENTER

The forum to provide information to the public concerning the Parks Department’s proposal to demolish the Dapolito Center was held on September 30, 2024. 140 members of the community, members of CB2 Board, and the Landmarks Committee attended. The Committee made informative presentations and the members of the public gave lively testimony with a unanimous plea that the building, together with its programs be preserved.

For the full report concerning the forum and information session on September 30, 2024 click here. (Link is not available, please check back.)
To provide written testimony concerning the September 30, 2024 forum, please click here.
For background information about the Dapolito Center and the potential demolition, including CB2’s September 19th resolution opposing demolition, please click here.