News

Items of Interest from the August 21st Eblast

ITEMS OF INTEREST

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.

FAIR HOUSING GROWTH STRATEGY – DRAFT REPORT

This summer, the City released the draft report Fair Housing Growth Strategy as required by Local Law 167 of 2023. This is a draft document intended for public comment. View ways to engage with the draft report, including attending virtual briefings, submitting a written comment, or speaking with a team member one-on-one.

The Fair Housing Growth Strategy answers:

How much housing does New York City need to support a healthier and more affordable housing market?
How should that housing be distributed to advance fair housing goals?

With the Fair Housing Growth Strategy, the City is conducting detailed analyses of this kind for the first time. The report consists of three sections:

A long-term Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) to evaluate the scale of New York City’s housing need
Housing Production Targets (HPT) to establish equitable growth targets*
A Strategic Equity Framework (SEF) to identify obstacles to fair housing and complementary investments and strategies that help communities accommodate growth.

To read the draft report, 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 August 21^st, the Whitney  Free Friday Nights program includes
Free Dance Classes with the Ailey Extension, as well as opportunities to tour the Whitney Biennial 2026. For more information and free tickets, please click here.

BOROUGH BOOK CLUB

Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the Manhattan Borough President, invites you to join in the second Borough Book Club on Tuesday, September 15, from 5:30–6:30 PM at Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

This month, we’re reading The Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America by Michael M. Grynbaum. To register to attend, please click here.

LIGHT UP CHINATOWN & BUILDING UPGRADE FUND

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the Chinatown Partnership LDC are administering two new programs designed to respond directly to community-identified needs: The Building Upgrade Fund, and Light Up Chinatown. The projects are designed to build upon the neighborhood’s rich heritage, enhance public safety, and support the small businesses that define the community’s character.

For the dates and times of public outreach sessions to learn more about these programs, please click here.

MOVIES ON THE COBBLES

Movies on the Cobbles is a free outdoor public film series hosted at Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. Presented in partnership by the Meatpacking District BID and Rooftop Films. Location: Gansevoort Plaza; Cost: Free and open to the public. For more information, please click here.

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’re 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.

DEMENTIA SERVICES WEBINAR

NYC Department for the Aging invites you to the “Dementia Services 101 Webinar” on August 27^th.

This session will provide an overview of the NYC BOLD Program, highlight services available to people living with dementia and their caregivers, and share a list of local resources and support services. Thursday, August 27^th from 10 to 11 am. To join the webinar at the start of the meeting, please click here – no pre-registration should be required.

FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR START-UP BUSINESSES

The Startup NYC project of Manhattan Legal Services provides free legal services to low-income entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelance workers and nonprofit organization in New York City.

To learn more, please click here (for English) and acqui (por Espanol).

DRESS FOR SUCCESS – EXPANDED SERVICES

Dress For Success of Greater New York City is expanding its service outreach to include “Professional Styling.” During an appointment, a trained volunteer will help (women) participants pick out a complete professional outfit with a view to making the participant feel “confident, polished, and ready for what’s next.” To learn more, please click here.

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.

RE: FOOD INSECURITY:

FROM THE NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The NYC Department of Health has two programs that help make healthy food more affordable for New Yorkers with low incomes, including those with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which are Health Bucks and Get the Good Stuff.

Health Bucks are $2 coupons redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at all 100+ NYC farmers markets. Health Bucks are distributed several ways including:
- As a SNAP incentive at NYC farmers markets: For every $2 spent in SNAP benefits, shoppers get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day.
- Through nutrition and health programming: Organizations that serve New Yorkers with low incomes can apply for a limited number of Health Bucks to distribute through nutrition and health programming. Note, we have received over 650 applications for 2026 Health Bucks and any programs that apply going forward will be added to a waitlist.
- By elected officials and organizations that purchase Health Bucks.
Get the Good Stuff offers a $1 for $1 match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans at participating grocery stores. The program is fully electronic and customers with SNAP can sign up and get a Get the Good Stuff pink card at participating stores’ customer service. See here for a list of participating stores.

FREE SUMMER MEALS

NYC Public Schools are again providing free summer meals for everyone aged 18 years and under through September 4^th. The meals are available at various schools, pools, parks and playgrounds during the week, and even include food trucks at certain locations on weekends. For a list of sites, and to learn more, please click here.

FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO CLAIM YOUR $120 FOOD BENEFIT

Families with children are encouraged to take advantage of the summer food benefit program for New York families. The program aims to help families feed their children when school is on break. A quarter of the money last summer went unspent, and instead of going to families in need, that money went back to the federal government. As food insecurity rises, the state is making a push to ensure that eligible families get their $120 per child in Summer EBT benefits.

FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION EVENTS

The Department for the Aging is hosting free fresh produce distribution events to help older adults access healthy fruits and vegetables. For more information, please click here.

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)

FRESH PRODUCE FROM FARM TO SENIOR

Council Member Carl Wilson’s fresh produce program is in full swing. For only $10, constituents can receive fresh produce direct from the growers. The next sign-up dates are Monday and Tuesday, August 24 and 25, for pick-up on September 1^st. For pick-up locations and dates, and all details, please click here.

NYC PARKS STEWARDSHIP – Climate Week

Climate Week takes place across New York City from September 20 – 27. Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event that includes an array of partners across the city coming together to discuss solutions to impact climate change. There is a wide variety of events happening across New York, organized by Climate Group throughout the entire week, which also coincides with the United Nations General Assembly. To learn more, please click here.

YOUTH EVENTS FROM THE NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS

Registering for New York Road Runners Youth Events Is Free. New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit organization behind the TCS New York City Marathon and more than 60 adult races each year, also hosts over a dozen free youth events annually in conjunction with select adult races. These events provide young runners with a fun, inclusive, and memorable race-day experience. The youth events are 100% free to register, including participant swag, and offer age-appropriate race distances for youth ages 2–18 (varies by event). For more information, please click here.

NEW RESOURCE LOCATOR FOR FAMILIES

KidsRoster, a new Manhattan-based marketplace will be launching soon to help families discover, compare, and book children’s experts, programs, classes, and support services in one place. The marketplace will include tutoring and academic support, test prep, executive-function support, enrichment, STEM and robotics, cooking, music, sports and swimming, camps and programs, as well as developmental and licensed support services such as speech and occupational therapy.

Use of KidsRoster will be free (not all services listed on it will be free). To learn more, please click here.

DOB IN YOUR COMMUNITY

The NYC Department of Buildings on Saturday, August 22^nd will offer Office Hours at Hunter College, 904 Lexington Avenue to assist property owners and small businesses with construction consultation, resolving violations, and more. To learn more and to register, please click here.

NONPROFIT LAND REUSE LEARNING COHORT

The Nonprofit Land Reuse Learning Cohort is a FREE six-month virtual program designed to help nonprofits and community organizations effectively lead brownfield site reuse projects – with a strong focus on community-centered engagement. The program seeks 10–12 passionate individuals representing nonprofits and community groups to join a 6-month learning series on transforming brownfield sites into thriving community assets. Ideal participants are eager to learn, collaborate, and drive change. The series includes an orientation and six 2-hour virtual sessions held monthly from October to March. For more information, please click here.

WORKSHOP “DECIDE: A BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN”

WIBO, the Workshop in Business Opportunities, is sponsoring a free monthly virtual workshop, Decide: A Business of Your Own. The next workshop is on Thursday, August 27^th at 7 pm. To learn more, please click here or visit WIBO’s website here.

AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

The NYC Health Department offers no or low-cost vaccinations at clinics across the city. Learn more and schedule an appointment here. For more information, please click here.

FREE WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Andromeda Community Initiative, a Long Island City-based workforce development organization, offers hands -on training leading to certifications for careers in construction, building maintenance, environmental remediation, and the green economy. For more information, please click here for a flyer on environmental remediation training and here for a flyer on green construction training.

ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE

The NYC Health Department launched a new public awareness campaign encouraging New Yorkers to keep themselves and their family healthy by signing up for low- to no-cost health insurance through the department’s free health insurance enrollment services. Through the campaign, the department seeks to expand health insurance coverage among underserved communities, making affordable health services more accessible to those who need them most. For more information, please click here.

SOCIAL SECURITY

For the latest edition of The Star/La Estrella – the Social Security Newsletter, please click HERE (for English) or por favor, haga clic AQUI (for Spanish)

FROM THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

September is National Preparedness Month! All month long, the Ready New York program will be at events across the city sharing preparedness resources, to help keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe.

Check out a few of the events below:

Family Emergency Preparedness Day
- When: Saturday, Sept 19 | 11 AM – 3 PM
- Where: Staten Island Children’s Museum (1000 Richmond Terrace)
- Details: Free admission! Featuring Ready Girl, cape coloring, a bounce house, face painting, balloon artists, and safety info from city agencies and partners.
NPM Climate Week at Flushing Public Library
- When: Monday, Sept 21 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Where: Queens Public Library at Flushing (3rd Floor IRC Room)
- Details: Explore climate challenges in northern Queens with Ready New York, Guardians of Flushing Bay, and the MinKwon Center. Features hands-on demonstrations, preparedness resources, and family activities. (Available in English & Mandarin)
Pet and Service Animal Preparedness Fair
- When: Sunday, Sept 27 | 11 AM – 2 PM
- Where: Madison Square Park (23rd St & Madison Ave)
- Details: Learn how to keep your pets safe during evacuations and seasonal hazards! Enjoy free microchipping, puppy bowls, and other goodies from local animal welfare partners.

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.

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 WEEKEND WORK

Switch replacement work will require weekend and late night weekday service changes on the 1/2/3 lines and the 4 line in our District in August. The best way to stay informed of these changes with through the MTA’s customer real-time email and text alert system, or for the latest on weekend service, through the MTA Weekender newsletter.

Weekend of August 22-24, starting from 12AM Saturday – 5AM Monday:

There will be no 2/3 service between Manhattan and Brooklyn
- 2 trains will operate between Eastchester-Dyre Av and 34 St-Penn Station
- 3 service will be suspended
- Use nearby A/C/E, N/Q/R, D/F or take the 42 St S or 14 St L to the 4/5/6
1 trains will operate between Van Cortlandt Park-242 St and 14 St
- For service in Manhattan customers can use A C E R S or 7 trains
Free S3728 shuttle buses will operate between 148 St and 135 St in Manhattan, replacing 3 service
4 trains will operate between Woodlawn and New Lots Av
5 trains will operate between Wakefield-241 St and Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College
- In Brooklyn 5 trains will make local stops between Borough Hall and Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College (Note: Hoyt St will be skipped)

N/Q/R/W Service Changes in Queens and Manhattan:

On weeknights, 8/25-8/28, Monday – Friday 11:30 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.

N trains will operate in two sections:
- Between Queensboro Plaza and Ditmars Blvd.
- Between Stillwell Av and Times Sq.

For service between Queens and Manhattan, take the 7. Transfer at Queensboro Plaza and/or Times Sq-42 St.

On the weekends of: 8/21-8/24, 8/28-8/31, starting from Friday 11:30 p.m. – Monday 5:00 a.m.

N trains will operate in two sections:

- Between Queensboro Plaza and Ditmars Blvd.
- Between Stillwell Av and Times Sq.

During the day, R trains will operate via 63 St in both directions between 57 St in Manhattan to 36 St in Queens.
For service between Queens and Manhattan, take the 7. Transfer at Queensboro Plaza and/or Times Sq-42 St.

On weekdays from 8/24-8/28:

W service is suspended (Monday 8/24 5:01 a.m.– Friday 8/28 11:30 p.m.)
Select R trains will operate via 63 St in both directions between 57 St in Manhattan and 36 St in Queens. Riders can use N/R as alternatives.

No trains at N/Q/R/W stations in Manhattan, weeknights, August 31- September 4th, Mon to Fri, 9:30pm to 5:00am.

N will run local in two sections:

Between Ditmars Blvd and Queensboro Plaza
Between Stillwell Av and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr, and via the R to/from Court St

Q will run between Stillwell Av and 96 St, and will be rerouted:

Via the D between Dekalb Av and 47-50 Sts
Via the F to/from Lexington Av/63 St

Evening R will run between 95 St and 71 Av, and will be rerouted:

Via the D between Dekalb Av and W 4 St
Via Court Sq F to/from Queens Plaza

Late night R shuttle will run between 95 St and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr (express between 36 St and Atlantic Av- Barclays Ctr.)

B and W service will end early.

Travel Alternatives:

In Manhattan, use nearby stations on 8Av A/C/E, 7Av 1/2/3, 6Av D/F/Q/R and Lexington Av 4/5/6 lines.
For service between Manhattan and Queensboro Plaza, take the 7
For service between Manhattan and Brooklyn, take the 2/3/4/A/C/D/F or the rerouted Q/R.

NYS TRAVEL ADVISORY

For the NYS DOT Travel Advisory for next week, please click here.

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:

Eighth Avenue at Horatio Street – through August 29.
Grove Street at West 4^th Street – through August 28.
Hester Street at Mott Street – through November 4.
Seventh Avenue South at Perry Street – through August 20.
Thompson Street at Watts Street – through August 28.
Thompson Street between Sullivan Street and LaGuardia Place – through August 28.
West 3^rd Street between Bleecker Street and Washington Square South – through August 28.
West 12^th Street at Greenwich Street – through August 28.

PORT AUTHORITY ADVISORIES

For the PANYNJ Travel Advisory for next week, please click here.
Path Train SmartLink Cards Are Being Phased Out
- Starting September 1^st, SmartLink Cards will not longer be accepted on the PATH system.
- Access will be through the TAPP fare system.
- Riders are encouraged to use up any remaining balance on a SmartLink card now.
- For more information, please click here.
Holland Tunnel lane closures for coming week:

- From Sunday, August 23rd, through Thursday, August 27th, from 11:00 pm each night to 5:00 am the following morning, one eastbound lane will be closed.
- From Sunday, August 23rd, through Thursday, August 27th, from 11:30 pm each night to 5:30 am the following morning, one westbound lane will be closed.

Also with respect to the Holland Tunnel, please note that Exit 3 in Manhattan (just south of Canal Street) will remain closed for pavement repair. Brooklyn bound traffic will be directed to use Exit 4. Completion is expected the first week of September.

FULL ROADWAY CLOSURES

Bleecker Street between Sullivan and Thompson Streets – through August 29.
Charles Street between West 4^th and Bleecker Streets – August 29 through September 6.
Charles Street between West 4^th and Perry Streets – through September 30.
East 12^th Street between University Place and Broadway – on September 12.
Elizabeth Street between East Houston and Bleecker Streets – through August 25.
Jane Street between Washington and Greenwich Streets – through September 4.
Jane Street between West 4^th Street and Greenwich Avenue – through September 2.
Mercer Street between Washington and Waverly Places – August 25 through August 28.
Mulberry Street between Jersey and East Houston Streets – weekends through August 23.
Perry Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets – weekdays and Saturdays through October 30.
Sullivan Street at Spring Street – beginning August 17 through August 20.
Thompson Street between Sixth Avenue and Grand Street – through October 31.
Washington Street between West 11 and Bank Streets –August 24-25.
West 10^th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – weekends August 15 through September 13.
West 11^th Street between West 4^th and Bleecker Streets – August 19 through September 17.
West 11^th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – through October 1.
West 12^th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – weekends through August 30.
Wooster Street between Prince and Houston Streets – August 10 through August 31.

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.

… and …

Henry Hudson Parkway Exit at West 79^th Street Boat Basin: For approximately another 6 weeks, the NYCDOT Division of Bridges will continue conducting intermittent overnight operations on the W. 79th Street traffic circle. The W. 79^th Street exit ramp from southbound Henry Hudson Parkway will be closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

Motorists may exit southbound Henry Hudson Parkway at W. 95th Street and then follow the detour signs.

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.

Thursday, September 3^rd, at 11 am

(agenda item 1) THE STRANGERS CLUB NY LLC dba Dear Strangers to maintain, operate, and use a roadway cafe for a term of four years adjacent to the proposed revocable consent is for a term of four years adjacent to 147 W. 4 St in the borough of Manhattan.

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.