As the Congestion Relief Zone is about to launch on Sunday, January 5, 2025, the MTA is sharing the attached digital toolkit. The toolkit includes:

1. Congestion Pricing Briefing Presentation

2. Congestion Relief Zone Factsheet

3. Discounts & Exemptions Brochure

4. E-ZPass Brochure

5. Congestion Pricing Social Media Toolkit

6. Fare Discounts Brochure & Translations: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean

7. Fair Fares Palm Card & Translations: English, Spanish

8. Access-A-Ride Brochure

9. Borough-Based Improvements Palm Cards

Congestion Pricing Public Webinars! The Congestion Pricing Public Webinar series is underway. The MTA are hosting a series of public webinars throughout December for the public to learn about congestion pricing. Your constituents can learn more and sign up at mta.info/crzwebinars.

NEWSLETTER LANGUAGE:

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

The MTA is hosting public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs Congestion Pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is eligible for discounts and exemptions, and how to prepare before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A. Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. Most vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $9 in the peak period or $2.25 overnight, once daily. Discounts or exemptions may apply– visit mta.info/discounts for more details.

E-ZPass is the best way to pay the toll. Drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass transponder and account. If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up to date with your current license plate number to ensure you are charged the E-ZPass toll rate and receive any peak period crossing credits. For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.

Please be advised that on or around Monday, December 16^th, the W4th St Station elevator located at the NE corner of W3rd St/6^th Avenue will be removed from service through Q3 2025 for replacement.   This is the elevator that provides street access to the mezzanine level for A/C/E service and access to B/D/F/M service.

This is Phase II of a project to replace three elevators at the W4th St Station complex.  The Phase I elevator that operates between the downtown A/C/E platform to the mezzanine and downtown B/D/F/M platform will return to service before the street elevator is removed from service.

Service notifications are posted at the station to inform customers of the upcoming change in elevator status.  Customers should visit www.mta.info/elevator-escalator-status for travel alternatives.

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

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.

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.

Let Your Voice Be Heard – Budget Priorities Survey:
Each year Community Boards submit proposed priorities for inclusion in the following year’s City Budget.  CB2/M wants to hear from you on what priorities you would like to see included in the City’s FY2026 Budget (FY 2026 runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 – the Budget process starts early).  What programs, initiatives or Agency budgets would you want to receive more funding or support?

Please respond to the Survey by clicking HERE – be sure to indicate your response relates to Community Board 2 – Manhattan.

The Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) recently released a Service Needs Assessment survey to better understand the needs of older adults, so they can live the quality of life they deserve. Please take a moment to complete the survey to ensure all of our city’s diverse communities are represented. All responses to this survey are anonymous; however, NYC Aging will be randomly selecting 50 households for the chance to receive one Visa gift card worth $50; those who would like to be considered for this drawing should provide contact information by September 30, 2024. And by completing the survey, you may be entered into our drawing and may win a $50 gift card. For more information, call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469). Please download flyer in English, Spanish or Chinese.

The Department of Sanitation is advising property owners and managers that beginning November 12, 2024, all trash must be set out in a bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid. This Rule will apply to:

• single-family homes
• two-family homes
• buildings with up to 9 apartments

Initially you may use a compliant bin (55 gallons or less with a secure lid) that you already have, but starting June 2026, you MUST use an Official NYC Bin.
To learn more, please download the flyer here.

New York City’s Local Law 1 of 2024 just went into effect. The bill lets tenants get a City inspection of neighboring vacant apartments with hazards. Click here for more information.

The Department of Transportation has adopted regulations for the new Dining Out NYC program.
To review the adopted regulations, click here.
For depictions of what the new permissible sidewalk cafe and roadway cafes will look like, click here.

For complete details concerning the Dining Out NYC Regulations, the LPC proposed rules and public hearing, and the schedule of upcoming CB2 Outdoor Dining Working Group meetings, please visit the Outdoor Dining Working Group page of the CB2 website here.

The MTA’s public comment period on the congestion pricing structure (here’s a PDF link with the final specifics) will be open until 3/11, and can be submitted in a range of ways:

• Online: https://contact.mta.info/s/forms/CBDTP
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: CBD Tolling Program, 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, NY, NY 10004
• Phone voicemail: 646-252-7440
• Fax: (212) 504-3148 labelled “Attention to CBDTP Team.”

•  Thursday, 2/29, at 6 pm
•  Friday, 3/1, at 10 am
•  Monday, 3/4, at 10 am
•  Monday, 3/4, at 6 pm

The GrowNYC Compost Program strives to make composting second-nature for all New Yorkers by operating residential Food Scrap Drop-off sites and partnering with community composting facilities to make compost locally. Part of a larger network of over 200 Food Scrap Drop-off sites in NYC, the GrowNYC Compost Program currently operates 52 food scrap drop-off sites serving 7 thousand regular weekly participants, diverting over 25 tons of food scraps from landfills each week.

See updates on GrowNYC locations, and check the citywide map for more options.

• Curbside Parking and Sidewalk Access Restrictions from February 26 – March 09, 2024 (Monday – Friday from 7am to 3:30p). Please click here for more details.

DEP is offering a $100 incentive credit to encourage customers to enroll in autopay. This limited time opportunity will only run for three months, until Nov. 15, so interested customers should sign up immediately. Those who enroll in autopay are required to receive e-bills, which eliminates physical paper bills and is therefore a more environmentally friendly alternative. DEP is launching this savings program as a follow-up to the successful amnesty program that forgave interest charges for customers who paid their overdue water bills.

Autopay allows customers to pay their bills automatically on the due date, or a specific date each month, and avoid the hassle of remembering to pay on time. The autopay feature automatically deducts a customer’s balance or payment amount from their bank account or credit card. Approximately 100,000 accounts, or 12% of DEP’s customers, are currently enrolled in autopay. This initiative aims to increase enrollment, which will help keep accounts current, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce the volume of bill inquiries to our call center, borough offices and correspondence unit.

Customers are eligible if they sign up for autopay using their My DEP account through Nov. 15. They must be enrolled in monthly billing, e-billing and cannot be delinquent on bills. If a customer has multiple accounts, all accounts can be eligible for the non-refundable $100 one-time credit, if all the program requirements are met.

Plus, setting it doesn’t mean forgetting it—customers will receive monthly notifications that their payment is scheduled and paid. Customers are required to stay current on their bills and be enrolled in autopay, e-billing, and monthly billing for six months after the $100 credit is applied to the account. If any of these qualifying actions are altered, the $100 credit will be revoked.

Additional info can be found at nyc.gov/dep/autopay, on our social media channels @NYCWater, or by calling DEP Customer Service at (718) 595-7000. (Please note that only property owners can enroll in autopay, monthly billing, and e-billing. DEP staff cannot enroll customers’ accounts into these services.)

EPA’s Environmental Justice Community Change Grants 

At the recent Brownfields 2023 conference, I learned about EPA’s Environmental Justice Community Change Grants that will be announced later this fall.  Full details are not yet available, but I wanted to alert NYC community-based organizations (CBOs) to the opportunity so you can begin thinking about applying and partners you might work with.

These are the details available so far:

Funding: $10-$20 million per grant
Eligibility: CBOs, in partnership with other CBOs, universities, or local governments

Deadlines: rolling applications; projects must be completed by September 2026.
Project categories:

• Climate resiliency and adaptation.
• Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events.
• Community-led air and other (including water and waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation.
• Investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure.
• Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.
• Reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution.
• Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in governmental processes ($1-3 million grants.)

EPA has posted the latest info at https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program and a set of frequently asked questions.

Further, a preview of these grants will be featured at the beginning of the upcoming National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call on September 19, 2023 at 2 pm.  These calls are free and open to the public.  See below for instructions to register and get the Zoom link.

NYSDOT ADVISORIES FOR THE NYC REGION, AS WELL AS NYCDOT, MTA, AND PORT AUTHORITY-NY/NJ ADVISORIES – through May 5, 2024
Please click here for more information.

Please be advised that the MTA will be closing the street stair to the 14^th St 1/2/3 Station at the SE corner of 14^th St/7^th Ave on or about Monday, February 12^th through mid – March 2024 for repairs and improvements.  This work is part of the overall 14^th St ADA project.

LATEST UPDATES ON START-UP, TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND FULL ROADWAY / STREET CLOSINGS

Gridlock Alert Days

• For the latest Gridlock Alert Days from the NYC DoT, please click here.

Start Up Advisories:

• ADA Pedestrian Ramp Construction Begins Fall 2024. For more information, click here.

Travel Advisories: 

• For the NYS DoT Traffic Advisory for December 6^th through December 9^th, please click here.
• Lane Closures Planned This Week at the George Washington Bridge, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, Bayonne Bridge and Goethals Bridge, December 6 – 12, please click here.

Full Roadway Closures

• Bedford St bet Grove St & Barrow St, Thursday 12/12/24 – Thursday 1/10/25 (excluding 12/23/24 – 1/1/25), 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
• Mercer Street between West 3rd and West 4th Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic, due to a crane operation at 251 Mercer Street, December 7-8 & 14-15 2024, from 8am to 6pm Saturday and 9am to 6pm Sunday
• Harris Water Main-Full Roadway Closure for West 12 Street Week of 12/2-12/11/24, between 5 ave & 6 ave during the hours of 9am-3pm Monday-Friday for the installation of a new water service.
• Bedford Street between Grove Street and Barrow Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from  November 13 – December 12, 2024, from 9am to 4pm, 1-2 weekdays.
• 81 Charles Street – through December 31, 2024, between: Bleecker Street & West 4th Street .
• MacDougal Street between West 8th and Washington Square North in Manhattan from December 8th through January 6th, 2025 from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday though Friday, for operations on the construction of a new building at 179 MacDougal Street.
• MacDougal Street between West 8th Street and Washington Square North, 11/9 through 12/7.
• West 4 Street between Greene Street & Mercer Street on 11-09-2024 to 12-08-2024 for Boom Operations.
• 609 Greenwich Street (FRC’s on Leroy Street between Greenwich Street & Hudson Street) – November 20, 2024 to December 31, 2024, to place concrete pump in order to complete work on the 9th floor and roof.
• Jane Street between West and Washington Streets, November 11th through December 10th.
• Charlton Street between Hudson and Greenwich Streets – weekends through December 15.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Walk-in testing is available at no cost to you at these NYC Health + Hospitals locations.

Click to access: NYC.gov/COVIDTEST

Hudson Park Library is now open as a Grab and Go location!  Patrons can start placing their holds by calling the branch at 212-243-6876 or logging into their account on nypl.org and choosing “Hudson Park” as their pick-up location.

Their grab-and-go service allows patrons to pickup and return materials while safely maintaining distance from others. The process is contactless: Once your items are ready for pickup, they will immediately be checked out to your account. This way, all you have to do when you get to the library is grab your items from the holds shelf—then go! There is no need to stop by the circulation desk for checkout. The same goes for returns—rather than visiting the desk, there will be a designated bin where you can return any items you currently have.

The new hours are: Monday: 11-6; Tuesday: 11-6; Wednesday: 12-7: Thursday: 11-6; Friday: 11-5; Saturday: 11-5; Sunday: Closed.

Learn more about the NYPL Grab and Go program.

We would like to announce the formation of the CB2 Equity Working Group to signify our commitment to ending the widespread systemic injustice and violence targeting Black people in America; and to share this letter — our promise to you that we will uphold racial justice within CB2.

Read the Equity Working Group introduction letter.

As New York City continues to see reductions in COVID-19 cases, restaurants are being allowed to serve people outside.

Read DOT’s outdoor restaurant dining rules and regulations.

Please click: Permanent Open Restaurants committee materials.