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.
FINAL 2026 MANHATTAN INSTALLMENT OF SUMMER STREETS
The final Summer Streets event from the Department of Transportation will again close 22 miles of roadway to vehicular traffic on Saturday, August 15th. The route in CB2M’s District runs along Lafayette Street/4th Avenue from Canal Street to 14th Street. The complete route starts on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, and continues all the way to Inwood in Upstate Manhattan. For more information, 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 14th, the Whitney Free Friday Nights program includes
DJ Sets: Kristine Barilli and Cruz Valdez, as well as opportunities to tour the Whitney Biennial 2026. For more information and free tickets, 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.
SUMMER AT THE LIBRARY
The NYPL offers summer programming including the “Big Summer Book Club: Discussions & Activities” and more.
“Big Summer Book Club: Discussions & Activities
“Have you started reading N. K. Jemisin’s The City We Became yet? Throughout the summer, the e-book and audiobook are available with no wait times! Join branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island for discussions and activities related to the book. Our book club will culminate in an August 17 celebration with The Public Theater featuring readings, performances, and public conversation at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park!”
For more details, 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.
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 4th. 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 SENIORS
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 1st. For pick-up locations and dates, and all details, please click here.
FREE BACKPACK FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Join Assembly-Member Grace Lee, NYS Senator Brian Kavanagh, Council Member Harvey Epstein and Grand Street Settlement on Friday, August 21 from 11 am to 4 pm at 80 Pitt Street (Rivington and Stanton Streets) for a Back-To-School party that includes a free backpack loaded with school supplies and much more. For details and to register, 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 22nd 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 27th 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.
NETWORKING TO ACTIVATE PARKS
The Partnership for Parks and the City Parks Foundation are sponsoring an evening workshop on best practices for building a network to activate and support parks on Thursday, August 20th from 6 to 7:30 pm. For more information, 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.
The upcoming subway service interruptions include:
Weeknight Overnights through from August 17th – August 21st from 10PM-5AM:
- 1 trains will operate between Van Cortlandt Park-242 St and 34 St-Penn Station
- 2 trains will operate between Eastchester-Dyre Av and 34 St-Penn Station
- 3 service will be suspended
- 4 trains will extend to serve New Lots Av starting at approximately 9:15 PM
- 5 trains will operate between Wakefield-241 St and Flatbush Av
- In Manhattan, free S3728 shuttle buses will operate between 148 St and 135 St replacing 2 and 3 service.
Weekends of August 15-17, and 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/R/W Service Changes in Queens and Manhattan:
On weeknights 8/19-8/21, 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 four weekends of: 8/14-8/17, 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.
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:
- Bank Street at West 4th Street – through August 18.
- East 8th Street at Greene Street – through August 21.
- Grove Street at West 4th Street – through August 26.
- Hester Street at Mott Street – through August 28.
- Seventh Avenue South at Perry Street – through August 20.
- Waverly Place and Mercer Street – through August 21.
PORT AUTHORITY ADVISORIES
- For the PANYNJ Travel Advisory for next week, please click here.
- Path Train SmartLink Cards Are Being Phased Out
- Starting September 1st, 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.
- The Port Authority will host a virtual information session about this transition on Wednesday, August 19th at 6 pm. To register or for more information, please click here.
- Holland Tunnel lane closures for coming week:
- From Sunday, August 16th, through Thursday, August 20th, from 11:00 pm each night to 5:00 am the following morning, one eastbound lane will be closed.
- From Sunday, August 16th, through Thursday, August 20th, 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 4th and Perry Streets – through September 30.
- Crosby Street between East Houston and Bleecker Streets – August 11 through August 18.
- East 11th Street between Fifth Avenue and University Place – August 11 through August 18.
- East 12th 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.
- Mulberry Street between Jersey and East Houston Streets – weekends through August 23.
- Perry Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets – weekdays and Saturdays through September 26.
- Spring Street between Renwick and Hudson Streets – on August 15.
- Sullivan Street at Spring Street – beginning August 17 through August 20.
- Thompson Street between Sixth Avenue and Grand Street – through October 31.
- West 10th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – weekends August 15 through September 13.
- West 11th Street between West 4th and Bleecker Streets – August 19 through September 17.
- West 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – weekends through August 30.
- West 13th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues – August 8 through August 16.
- West Broadway between Canal and Grand Streets – weekends through August 15.
- 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 30th Street and 12th 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 79th 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. 79th 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 3rd, 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.