Civic Roam

Powered by 🌱Roam Garden

Community District Needs Statement - FY21 - Manhattan Community District 5 - Content

  • Page Type:: Content
  • Metadata:: Community District Needs Statement - FY21 - Manhattan Community District 5 - Metadata
  • Roam Embed::
  • Obsidian Embed::
  • Text::
    • image Statements of Community District Needs and Community Board BudgetRequ Fiscal Year 2021 image 11ÂĄ1: Published by: PLANNING February 2020 ,•'',' Manhattan Community District 5 INTRODUCTION The annual Statements of Community District Needs (CD Needs Statements) and Community Board Budget Requests (Budget Requests) are Charter mandates that form an integral part of the City's budget process. Together, they are intended to support communities in their ongoing consultations with city agencies, elected officials and other key stakeholders and influence more informed decision making on a broad range of local planning and budget priorities. This report also provides a valuable public resource for neighborhood planning and research purposes, and may be used by a variety of audiences seeking information about New York City's diverse communities. HOW TO USE THIS REPORT This report represents the Statement of Community District Needs and Community Board Budget Requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. This report contains the formatted but otherwise unedited content provided by the community board, collected through an online form available to community boards from August to November, 2019. Community boards may provide substantive supplemental information together with their Statements and Budget Requests. This supporting material can be accessed by clicking on the links provided in the document or by copying and pasting them into a web browser, such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox. If you have questions about this report or suggestions for changes please contact: C DNEEDS_DL@planning.nyc.gov This report is broadly structured as follows: Overarching Community District Needs Sections 1 – 4 provide an overview of the community district and the top three pressing issues affecting this district overall as identified by the community board. Any narrative provided by the board supporting their selection of their top three pressing issues is included. Policy Area-Specific District Needs Section 5 is organized by seven distinct policy areas aligned with the service and program areas of city agencies. For each policy area, community boards selected the most important issue for their districts and could provide a supporting narrative. The policy area section also includes any agency-specific needs and a list of relevant budget requests submitted by the community board. If the community board submitted additional information outside of a specific policy area, it may be found in Section 6. Community Board Budget Requests The final section includes the two types of budget requests submitted to the City for the FY21 budget cycle; one list for capital and another for expense budget requests. For each budget request, community boards were able to provide a priority number, explanation, location, and supporters. OMB remains the definitive source on budget requests submitted to city agencies. D isclaimer This report represents the Statements of Community District Needs and Community Board Budget Requests of this Community District for Fiscal Year 2021. This report contains the formatted but otherwise unedited content provided by the community board. Budget Requests: Listed for informational purposes only. OMB remains the definitive source on budget requests and budget request responses. Budget Priorities: Priority numbers apply to expense and capital Budget requests from all policy areas. A complete list of expense and capital budget requests by this Board sorted by priority can be found in Section 7 of this document. Supporting Materials: Some community boards provided substantive supplemental information. This supportive material can be accessed by clicking on the links provided in the document or by copying and pasting the links provided in the Appendix into a browser. TABLE OF CONTENTS Community Board Information image Community District Profile and Land Use Map image Overview of Community District image Top Three Pressing Issues Overall image image image Summary of Community District Needs and Budget Requests Health Care and Human Services image image Youth, Education and Child Welfare Public Safety and Emergency Services image image image Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency Housing, Economic Development and Land Use Transportation Parks, Cultural and Other Community Facilities image Other Budget Requests image Summary of Prioritized Budget Requests image
      1. COMMUNITY BOARD INFORMATION Manhattan Community Board 5 image Address: 450 7th Avenue South, 2109 Phone: (212) 465-0907 Email: office@cb5.org Website: www.cb5.org Chair: Vikki Barbero District Manager: Wally Rubin image
      2. COMMUNITY DISTRICT PROFILE AND LAND USE MAP image image
      3. OVERVIEW OF COMMUNITY DISTRICT Manhattan Community Board Five (CB5) in the heart of Manhattan beats with the pulse of the City. With boundaries extending largely from Lexington to 8th Avenues and 14th to 59th Streets, CB5 is the City’s midtown central business district and the first and last impression of New York City for millions of commuters and tourists who pass through Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Herald Square, and Union Square every day. All but three subway lines traverse CB5, and with the Port Authority just outside our western border, the district is at the core of the City’s substantial pedestrian and vehicular traffic. New York City experienced a record number of visitors in 2018, over 65.2 million people, and it would be fair to say many of them came to see and experience New York City’s greatest business, tourist, entertainment and industrial landmarks all located within the confines of CB5. In order to service these visitors, hotel construction has boomed within CB5, particularly in the flower district and the Broadway corridor. The Broadway Theater District, the Museum of Modern Art, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the Flatiron Building are all found within CB5. The District generates substantial sales tax and other revenues for the City as it is home to world-class shopping destinations such as Macy’s, Saks, Tiffany’s, Cartier and Nordstrom (to name but a few). Over half of the district is in a business improvement district and three of the City’s most intensely utilized parks -- Bryant, Madison Square, and Union Square -- are here. Although we have one of the smallest residential populations of any of the City’s 59 Community Boards, we are among the fastest-growing. CB5 experienced explosive growth in both residential and commercial buildings. along with newly expanded footpaths, new traffic patterns and additional bicycle lanes. The extraordinary growth and popularity of CB5 create unique and substantial budgetary needs and corresponding opportunities.
      4. TOP THREE PRESSING ISSUES OVERALL Manhattan Community Board 5 image The three most pressing issues facing this Community Board are: Traffic The top three issues of concern within CB5 are homelessness (along with perceived public safety issues), congestion and sanitation. Congestion, from cars, bicycles and pedestrians, is also of huge concern to those who live and work in CB5. Congestion has arisen from myriad circumstances, including increased construction, newly installed pedestrian walkways, new bicycle paths, increased residential populations and increased visitor counts. Uber, Lyft have added to the yellow cabs and other for hire drivers transversing the district. Increased residential accommodation has created increased delivery needs and idling trucks can be seen at all hours of the day and night throughout the district. Many of the complaints received concerning congestion involve the non-enforcement of already existing regulation. CB5 hopes to see enforcement for cars and trucks that double park or “block the box”, cyclists who travel on the sidewalk or in the opposite direction of traffic, and pedestrians who walk in the bike lane. The closing of 14th street to private traffic is creating new traffic patterns and CB5 would like the City to collect data may be to understand the full impact on the neighborhood and City as a whole. Food carts, news stand, old phone booths and Links NYC all contribute to pedestrian congestion. CB5 discourages the creation of newstands within the District, seeks the removal of old phone booths, encourages enforcement against food carts and hopes that the siting of Links kiosk will be in line with the needs of the District. Trash removal & cleanliness Throughout the District, overflowing garbage cans and debris on the streets can be seen, particularly in the west 20s ad the west 50s. Large institutions, BIDS and citizens have all called for additional sanitation services to ensure the removal of street litter and the collection of full litter bins. The increasing tourism and pedestrian traffic in our district has triggered the need for corresponding additional sanitation services including significant improvements in the frequency of corner trash pick-up. Additional litter baskets, recycling and composting bins would aid this problem. CB5 welcomes the goals of the new commercial carting regulation, and hopes that the City will diligently collect data to measure whether this new measure achieves those goals. CB5 is an outlier in terms of its commercial carting needs, so it is particularly concerned at how the regulations, crafted for the City as a whole, will impact the large number of commercial businesses, large and small, throughout the district. Homelessness CB5 has seen an increased number of individuals panhandling, loitering and living on the streets of the district; a great number are located on the many plazas within CB5 or near tourist attractions and destinations. BIDS, business owners and residents have become seriously concerned with this situation. While stakeholders recognize that affordable housing is needed within the district to address homelessness, wrap around services, including mental health and substance abuse treatment are also necessary to ensure that those placed in housing can safely stay there. CB5 encourages shelter providers to craft solutions that meet the homeless where they are and to address their concerns regarding possessions, pets and significant others as a means of encouraging the homeless to seek shelter. image
      5. SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY DISTRICT NEEDS AND BUDGET REQUESTS HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Health Care and Human Services Services to reduce or prevent homelessness The most pressing healthcare and human service issue within the district is the provision of services to reduce or prevent homelessness. CB 5 has seen a great increase in the number of homeless people throughout the district. Access to health care and mental health, substance abuse treatment and prevention programs are important to assist in alleviating the plight of those on the streets. CB5 has directed many of its budget requests to these issues. Given the magnitude of the issues and its importance to CB5 stakeholders, the Board is assembling a task force to determine what it may do in its own way to address the problems. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Health Care and Human Services Needs for Health Care and Facilities The most pressing healthcare and Human service issue within the district is the provision of services to reduce or prevent homelessness. While the access to health care and mental health, substance abuse treatment and prevention programs are important to stakeholders within CB5, the great increase in the number of homeless people seen within CB5 mandates that there is a critical need for programs that address this dire situation. Needs for Older NYs The district has thousands of households that appear to be aging in place. There was a 26.4% increase in the 65+ age population between 2000 and 2010—bringing the district's population to nearly 6,000. Needs for Homeless The district has a growing street homeless levels. For both the street homeless and sheltered homeless, the City must identify pathways to permanent affordable housing for individuals and families. The existing shelter system, along with the emergency shelter program, must be improved to make them a palatable alternative to populations who select to remain on the streets (generally for safety and security reasons), and support services for mental health, substance abuse and placement out of the homeless system are also imperative. Needs for Low Income NYs No comments image Capital Requests Related to Health Care and Human Services Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 1/40 DHS Other facilities for Medical respite programs provide hospitals with the homeless an alternative to discharging homeless patients requests to the streets or to unequipped shelters. Medical respite programs seek to improve transitional care for this population and end the cycle of homelessness by supporting patients in access benefits and housing. 3/40 DHS Provide new One of the biggest issues we’re seeing right now homeless shelters or is that the safe haven system is not meeting the SROs demand, especially for women. Currently, there is no safe haven in NYC exclusively for women, which is barring many women from coming off the streets. 15/40 DHS Upgrade existing Advocates have indicated that this centralized facilities for the system alienates those who would avail of homeless shelter and by humanizing the process with smaller in take centers throughout the city more people could potentially be removed from our streets. 16/40 DHS Provide new Current safe havens do not allow for people do homeless shelters or be housed with animals, except for service or SROs emotional support animals. This causes a significant population to refuse shelter so as not to be separated from their pets. Advocates claim that should such a a pet friendly safe haven would encourage more homeless to avail of this shelter. 17/40 HHC Other health care Only half of the community air survey monitors facilities requests are undertaking a 24/7 data collection. In addition there is a monitoring gap between Prince Street and 37th Street, particularly in the southern portions of CB5 near 23rd St./Madison Square Park and 14th Street, Union Square. 38/40 DHS Upgrade existing City has meaningfully increased the funding for facilities for the both service initiatives and continues to do so in homeless the coming years. However outreach and informational campaign have not reached many corners of the city. If the services are not known, they will not be fully utilized. Expense Requests Related to Health Care and Human Services Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 6/24 DHS Expand street One of the most pressing issues facing the outreach district is homelessness and many of these individuals congregate in the Pennn Station, FIT and Port Authority area. These individuals have myriad problems including mental illness and drug addiction and additional outreach and services to work with this population can only help with these issues. 10/24 DHS, Other homelessness IT system handling shelter population requires HRA prevention program modernization to better handle the increased request population, specifically storing data electronically, mapping vacancies across shelters, storing data around optimal communities for a resident to be housed in and creating an algorithm to place ppl in optimal shelters for their rehabilitation 14/24 DHS Other request for These individuals face a myriad of problems, services for the programs and outreach from an array of homeless sources, both public and private. Establishing trust and confidence is difficult and the presence of a licensed professional who can work on a continuing basis to connect them with existing resources could be life-changing for these individuals. This presence also will help leverage the success of existing programs and interventions. 15/24 DHS, Other homelessness Fund grants that can be awarded to community HRA prevention program boards, business improvement districts, private request businesses and not for profit organizations who organize to create and operate programs in the district to address issues of street homelessness, connect individuals and families to resources, enhance resources available in the district, study the existence and success of shelters and other resources, and otherwise address the fact and perception of increasing numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness individuals on the streets in the district. Homeless is one of the greatest challenges facing the district. While many agencies and organizations are attempting to tackle this problem the encouraging other entities to help find solutions may create the next best way to address the issue. YOUTH, EDUCATION AND CHILD WELFARE Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Youth, Education and Child Welfare School and educational facilities (Capacity) Schools and educational facilities are the most important Youth, Education and Child Welfare within the district. We have seen a proliferation of new construction within CB5 but no correlation in the number of school seats being provided. Indeed, CB5 believes that the SEQR system in use is currently outdated and requires reform to reflect adequately the number of school seats needed not only in this district but also throughout the City. Additionally, CB5 believes that funding of the schools within and just outside the district are underfunded in respect to after school programming, internet connectivity, ADA accessibility and mental health care for students, all things that stakeholders within the district have found to be of vital importance. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Youth, Education and Child Welfare Needs for Youth Education CB5 requires an increase in school seats, without disrupting current funding levels for existing schools (both traditional public schools and charters). Charter schools may be able to play a role in this so long as they do not displace what would otherwise be zoned schools seats. We also require more adequate for universal pre-k. Lastly, we hope to see improvement in the quality of food available to NYC students. We urge the NYC DOE to go beyond federal standards for acceptable meals, and also remove junk food in vending machines on campuses. Needs for Youth and Child Welfare In collaboration with the Department of Education, we request an increase in after-school programs and childcare. image Capital Requests Related to Youth, Education and Child Welfare Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 21/40 SCA Renovate other site component The material currently on the rooftop playground creates a situation where the children cannot play on the surface for a day or two after rain. image 37/40 SCA Provide technology upgrade Currently not enough functional computers for all students to work at once. The provision of laptops will not only allow students to become proficient in the latest technology and allow their teachers to use current tools such as GoogleClassroom and DeltaMath but also allows students to prepare and submit college applications Expense Requests Related to Youth, Education and Child Welfare The Community Board did not submit any Budget Requests in this category. PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Public Safety and Emergency Services Traffic violations and enforcement Enforcement of violations is the number one public safety issue within CB5. Stakeholders have repeatedly noted that enforcement of violations are critically important and that what is needed within the district is not new legislation and regulation but enforcement of current rules. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Public Safety and Emergency Services Needs for Public Safety Maintaining levels of highly-skilled NYPD units and increased vigilance on grand larceny. As the highly-congested, prominent tourism hub, Homeland Security, NYPD and Port Authority have already determined that Midtown is an area the requires hyper-vigilance and thus we already have elite trained squads for counterterrorism and the like. Obviously, we believe that this shall remain, but we also understand that the strategic need for those kinds of crime prevention are determined by a coalition of city, state, and federal government and law enforcement agencies. Therefore, we feel for this exercise of budget needs it is more important to drill down on the local compstats. Grand larceny (e.g. pickpockets, street scams, robbery etc) is the largest issue facing CB5 and thus increased funding to combat this issue would be prudent. Needs for Emergency Services Growing community requires adequate emergency services With the many new residential and commercial developments coming online in and on the borders of CB5, the emergency services may become overly burdened as the ratio of person to EMS vehicle changes and the City must be cognizant of this and monitor for any increased budget needs. FDNY has asked for $280,000 to install additional fire alarms across the city and CB5 supports that request, in addition to their desire for additional funds for more trainings and CPR trainings. image Capital Requests Related to Public Safety and Emergency Services The Community Board did not submit any Budget Requests in this category. Expense Requests Related to Public Safety and Emergency Services Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 5/24 NYPD Increase resources There are currently three construction projects for other crime on the north side West 28th Street between prevention Seventh and Eighth avenues, one of which (GDS- programs NY) also fronts on Seventh Avenue. A fourth project is close to beginning at the long-empty Edison block-through site at the western end of the street. Individuals have taken up day-time residence on Seventh Avenue under the GDS-NY construction shed. In the evening, the sheds on 28th Street serve as gathering places for drug uses and loiterers. Additional patrols will help maintain some semblance of safety and decorum on the street. BIDS and other members of the District have identified an increase in pan handlers, the mentally ill and homeless populating the area around Penn Station and Times Square. This are some of the most densely congested areas 18/24 NYPD Other NYPD Continuing Support for noise abasement and facilities and enforcement: Resident surveys, 311 complaints equipment requests and anecdotal information show a strong need (Expense) for enhanced/expanded noise pollution abatement and enforcement programs. Additional resources include night inspections and enhanced enforcement, as well as outreach to the regulated community and residents alike about the requirements of the law, how it is enforced and penalties for lack of compliance. Noise complaints from traffic, from construction and from bars and nightclubs continue to be one of the biggest issues facing our district and it would be helpful to ensure that these 22/24 NYPD Assign additional Funding to provide additional Traffic Agents to traffic enforcement address Parking Violations officers CORE INFRASTRUCTURE, CITY SERVICES AND RESILIENCY Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency Water runoff and flooding Water runoff and flooding in many areas throughout CB5 has been identified, while trash collection, particularly in the West 50’s and West 20’s is also of concern. In its budget requests year on year, CB5 has identified with some granularity those areas where rainwater consistently pools and flooding occurs. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency Needs for Water, Sewers, and Environmental Protection No comments Needs for Sanitation Services Sanitation needs of our district are immense. The district needs significantly improved corner trash pick-up. There is also a need for more recycling and composting bins—especially in the residential sections of the District. Tourism in the city is at record levels, and we need to ensure Times Square and other key tourist destinations are kept at impeccably clean levels. image Capital Requests Related to Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 39/40 DSNY Other garbage collection and recycling infrastructure requests (Capital) For FIT in particular, we are especially concerned about trash the Megabus drop-off site on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street - the sole drop off for the entire city. (Passengers disembark after 3-6 hour bus rides with significant food garbage, and the trash can at the Megabus site often overflows onto the street.) Also, there appears to be a significant increase in trash in the gutters and on the sidewalks in the district which might be addressed with more frequent street cleaning. Complaints of overflowing baskets are particularly rife on 7th avenue from FIT all the way to 5t8h Street West 29th street has also been problematic with one resident claiming not to have seen one street cleaning in almost a year. It would be helpful if we had a schedule of pick up and cleanings Expense Requests Related to Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 3/24 DSNY Other garbage The new waste management proposal is not collection and well understood by small businesses in our recycling requests district and we would like to see outreach to these organizations so that they understand the new carting policy and can be part of the conversation as the waste management plan evolves; fund outreach to stakeholders on the design of the program, to research the efficacy of the system once its in place, to create a small hauler advocacy program would all enhance the new carting system. 7/24 DSNY Provide more frequent garbage or recycling pick-up For FIT in particular, we are especially concerned about trash the Megabus drop-off site on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street - the sole drop off for the entire city. (Passengers disembark after 3-6 hour bus rides with significant food garbage, and the trash can at the Megabus site often overflows onto the street.) Also, there appears to be a significant increase in trash in the gutters and on the sidewalks in the district which might be addressed with more frequent street cleaning. Complaints of overflowing baskets are particularly rife on 7th avenue from FIT all the way to 5t8h Street West 29th street has also been problematic with one resident claiming not to have seen one street cleaning in almost a year. It would be helpful if we had a schedule of pick up and cleanings and if this could b image 11/24 DEP Clean catch basins These catch basins are clogged, which results in odors from standing water and poor drainage when it rains. We get some very bad ponding conditions on the plazas in particular. We have reported them to 311 in the past but to my knowledge they have Specific locations include the northeast corner of Broadway and West 38th Street, Northeast corner of West 38th Street and Broadway, Northeast corner of Broadway and West 37th Street never been cleaned. image 19/24 DSNY Other garbage collection and recycling requests DSNY should be given adequate funding to effectively manage the city’s transition to a zoned commercial waste zone system, if such a system is required by the City Council. Manhattan CB 5 joins BP Brewer and other stakeholders who have expressed concern that the proposed Department of Sanitation Division of Commercial Waste be created and funded sufficiently to execute a clear organizational structure and delineation of responsibilities to promote communication among city agencies, the regulated community, large and small businesses, and other affected stakeholders. DSNY should be given adequate funding to ensure that the advantages and resulting efficiencies, customer service benchmarks, recycling, and other benefits promised from the commercial waste zone system in fact are created and c image HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Housing, Economic Development and Land Use Affordable housing creation Affordable housing is one of the single most important issues identified by stakeholders within the district. Not only for low and moderate-income families, but increasingly also for middle class affordable housing programs. The enormous amount of construction within the district and the loss of small buildings owned by individual landlords, the cost of housing vis-a-vis income and income inequality have all stoked interest in preserving and creating affordable housing programs. It is hoped that the newly adopted legislation governing certain rental property, which was supported by CB5, will help to retain affordable property within the district. The opportunity to gather data at the start of the implementation of these regulations is one not to be missed as the impact of these regulations can be used to guide future policy. CB5 opposes the use of mechanical voids as a means of gaining additional building height and is concerned with the proliferation of super-tall buildings. Super-talls not only create shadows throughout the City but also block the sightline views of iconic landmarks such as the Empire State building. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Housing, Economic Development and Land Use Needs for Land Use New Housing Affordable to a Wide Range of Household Incomes—From Central Park South to Union Square, the district is becoming an increasingly desirable place to life. This demand for housing stock in our district can has resulted in a significant increase in residential development, some of which is creating affordable housing units through the Inclusionary Housing Program. Unfortunately, the existing R10 Inclusionary Program is flawed in that it requires far too little affordable housing for the enormous benefit granted in the form of a zoning bonus. The City must alter the ratios to ensure that much more permanently affordable housing is created when new construction occurs. Needs for Housing Affordable housing is one of the single most important issues identified by stakeholders within the district. Not only for low and moderate income families but also increasingly, we have heard calls for middle-class affordable housing programs. The enormous amount of construction within the district and the loss of buildings owned by individual landlords to large corporate entities has helped fuel the concern regarding this issue. The cost of housing vis-a-vis income and income inequality has also stoked interest in preserving and creating such programs. Needs for Economic Development Our economy is increasingly bifurcated—with high wage financial services, corporate, law, consulting and tech jobs on the one hand, and low-wage retail and service jobs on the other hand. There needs to be careful consideration of how all city policies impact the economic wellbeing of the diverse members of the community. It is important to CB5 that our city's economic policy support a diversified economy within our district. One means of achieving this goal is ensuring that land use policies allow for the growth and flourishing of industries with living-wage jobs in fashion, light manufacturing and other sectors currently using the Class B and Class C office stock of the district. Workforce Development—The City should identify and pursue policies that enable low-wage workers (thousands of which are in our district) and the unemployed to meet the workforce needs in the city. The City should identify and pursue policies that enable our District workforce to develop skills that employers seek, to improve their career progression and income mobility - and for the lower wage workforce whose numbers are considerable - to enhance their economic stability. This includes the City adopting the principles and recommendations of the Mayor's Jobs for New Yorkers Task Force including the following: 1. Establish Career Pathways as the framework for the City’s workforce system; 2. Launch or expand Industry Partnerships in six sectors: healthcare, technology, industrial/ manufacturing, construction, retail and food service; 3. Invest in bridge programs that prepare low-skill jobseekers for entry-level work and middle-skill job training; 4. Triple the City’s training investment in career-track, middle-skill occupations, including greater support for incumbent workers who are not getting ahead; 5. Improve and expand CTE and college preparedness programs, adjust CUNY’s alternative credit policy, and invest in career counseling; 6. Increase work-based learning opportunities for youth and high-need jobseeker; 7. Create a standard that recognizes high-road employers who have good business practices; 8. Improve the conditions of low-wage work by expanding access to financial empowerment resources and pursuing legislative changes such as increasing the minimum wage;
      6. Maximize local job opportunities through the City’s contracts and economic development investments image Capital Requests Related to Housing, Economic Development and Land Use Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 2/40 HPD Provide more housing for extremely low and low income households The extra subsidy will help finance more new construction rental units at shelter rent allowance and create more units for the homeless which is needed given the number of homeless within the district. image 31/40 HPD Other affordable housing programs requests (capital) Supportive housing is imperative to help get people who are chronically homeless off the streets. Without the wrap around services to address their needs it is unlikely they will stay independent or become contributing members of the City. Expense Requests Related to Housing, Economic Development and Land Use Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 8/24 EDC Improve public As DCA & DOHMH debate increasing the markets number of cart permits, we would like to understand how these carts impact current businesses 9/24 DCP Study land use and Residents have indicated that they feel their zoning to better buildings sway and are concerned street match current use foundation weaknesses that will be magnified or future by the new transit rules for 14th street that will neighborhood see more traffic being routed to their streets. needs 12/24 NYCHA Other housing Emergency grant applicants may obtain rental support requests assistance in cases of impending evictions, assistance with home energy and utility bills, disaster assistance including moving expenses, and the purchase of personal items for health and safety. The City should build upon recent efforts to streamline this process to ensure more people are quickly connected to One Shot Deal. 13/24 HPD Provide or enhance Housing developments face two major rental subsidies expenses: expenses in building and expenses in programs ongoing maintenance. HPD can and has been funding subsidies attached to specific units within housing developments for the homeless. By increasing the level of this subsidy, more units for the homeless can be brought on line and be maintained adequately. 20/24 HPD Other affordable Limited dollar amount, % in rent increase, and housing programs length of time for depreciation on capital requests (expense) improvements projects (in existing rent stablized building) are some key restrictions that the new rent laws cover. Multi-year tracking of builing & unit conditions should start now, in year 0, to identify the positive/negative effects of the new laws. Will these restrictions reduce landlord's incentives to conduct building-wide capital improvements and unit-specific repairs? 23/24 SBS Other expense This would be similar to the Community Toilet commercial district Scheme that has been in operation in the UK for revitalization the past decade and recently adopted by requests Washington DC. There is a lack of public bathrooms in our district and an incredibly high percentage of public urination per documented 311 calls. 24/24 SBS Other expense Expand offerings under Chamber-on-the-Go commercial district revitalization requests TRANSPORTATION Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Transportation and Mobility Traffic congestion Our district has immense transportation needs given the dense concentration of businesses and the presence of Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and many subway stations within or just outside our borders. Commercial and office spaces make up roughly 65% of the district, bringing hundreds of thousands of commuters into the district and leading to severe congestion. Many stakeholders in CB5, along with advocates, have stated their wish for a comprehensive congestion plan to address congestion concerns. Accessible and safe public transportation is also extremely important given the large numbers of commuters, residents, and visitors in the district. MTA funding disputes between state and city officials continuously affect CB5, which is home to nine of the ten busiest subway stations (MTA Annual Ridership by Station Report). Furthermore, several highly frequented subway stations in CB5, such as the 4/5/6 at Union Square and S at Times Square, are not ADA compliant, limiting accessibility for residents and visitors alike. In addition, our district has a high traffic flow with several complex intersections, which are in need of improved traffic safety as evidenced by high annual collision rates, poor pedestrian safety, and several conflicting traffic patterns. The district welcomes the newly created bike routes, but the safety of bikers, pedestrians, and drivers depends on active enforcement of regulations. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Transportation and Mobility Needs for Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Our district has immense transportation needs given the dense concentration of businesses and the presence in (or bordering) our district of Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and many subway stations. Commercial and office spaces make up roughly 65% of the district, bringing hundreds of thousands of commuters into the district and leading to severe congestion. In addition, the impending L-Train shut down is expected to further increase congestion by shuttling commuters in buses across 14th street. Several transportation authorities in CB5 jurisdiction would like to see a comprehensive congestion plan implemented to address these needs while many wish the City to recognize the importance of private transportation to those with young children, the elderly and the disabled.. Accessible and safe public transportation is also extremely important given the large numbers of commuters, residents, and visitors in the district. MTA funding disputes between state and city officials continuously affect CB5, which is home to 9 of the 10 busiest subway stations (MTA Annual Ridership by Station Report). Furthermore, several highly frequented subway stations in CB5, such as the 4/5/6 at Union Square and S at Times Square, are not ADA compliant, limiting accessibility for residents and visitors alike. In addition, our district has a high traffic flow with several complex intersections which are in need of improved traffic safety as evidenced by high annual collision rates, poor pedestrian safety, and several conflicting traffic patterns. The district welcomes the newly created bike routes, but the safety of bikers, pedestrians, and drivers depends on active enforcement of regulations. Furthermore, several transportation authorities in CB5 would like to see increased road safety through projects such as replacing street lights and repairing sidewalks on 8th avenue. Needs for Transit Services Conditions on the 4/5/6 lines are extremely overburdened and the City and MTA must find ways to alleviate overcrowding to support a more efficient flow of riders. image Capital Requests Related to Transportation and Mobility Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 4/40 DOT Other Our district has the highest density of New transportation Yorkers and concentration of tourists, and there infrastructure are not enough public bathrooms to serve them. requests Our districts also has a extremely high number of 311 complaints from public urination. We also have a high amount of homeless population living on the streets that do not have access to public bathrooms. 6/40 DOT Repair or construct These curb repairs are needed near the 8th Avenue new curbs or M20/M104 bus stop 45th 46th pedestrian ramps 7/40 DOT Repair or construct This request has not been addressed from last new curbs or year. Very specifically, we would like to see this pedestrian ramps at the following locations: 28th and PAS, Penn Station on 7th Ave at 31st, 32nd, & 33rd, SE corner 40th & 8th, SE corner 39th & 8th, NE corner 42nd & 8th 8/40 DOT Repair or construct These locations are: 8th Ave at 550 8th Ave new curbs or (37th/38th), at 554 8th Ave (37th/38th), at 572 pedestrian ramps 8th Ave, at 590, 592, 594 8th Ave, at 614 to 616 8th Ave, Northern half of 8th Ave from 45th to 46th. We are requesting that the new grates should be similar to the grates in front of the Microsoft entrance at 11 Times Sq 8th (41st/42n) because they are flat with the sidewalk, stable (don’t bounce or wiggle), and blend in with the sidewalk (these grates don’t look like an obstacle to be avoided). 8th Ave sidewalks between Penn Station & PABT are very crowded. We need every inch of the sidewalk and do not need pedestrians queuing up to walk around subway grates. 9/40 DOT Other Repainting of crosswalks at: Union Square West transportation at 14&15 Streets Park Ave South/15 & infrastructure 16thEast/West 5th Ave & 15 St.: North-South requests Crosswalk on west side of 5th 10/40 DOT Repair or provide Traffic congestion is an issue that is repeatedly 5th Avenue new street lights mentioned by people within the district and lights for buses would significantly improve traffic. 11/40 DOT Repair or construct Congestion is a problem within the districting it new curbs or is growing because the number of visitors is pedestrian ramps increasing, there residential population is increasing and the homeless are also occupying a lot of space, particularly along the 8th avenue corridor. This work has already begun at 39th street west but should span from 34th st to 49th on 8th avenue 12/40 DOT Reconstruct streets The bike lane design here is confusing and should be improved in this area to lessen cyclist- pedestrian conflicts. It would be also helpful to remove unessential concrete islands from 34th St which remain from when Broadway was not pedestrian only. Funding should be provided to find a design which would allow pedestrians to walk on a wide sidewalk on Sixth Ave along the both parks’ Sixth Ave fence. Currently, the passage is very it is very narrow (2ft) along Greeley Sq and pits pedestrians against the uptown bike path along Herald Sq. 13/40 DOT Roadway Water has pooled within the same location for maintenance (i.e. over a year at times forcing bicyclists into the pothole repair, street. This is one of the only through way bike resurfacing, trench lanes in the area. restoration, etc.) 14/40 DOT Upgrade or create Pershing Square West has been repaired and new plazas looks great; it would be great if the rest of the Plazas could follow suit. 18/40 DOT Upgrade or provide This initiative would help congestion. 42nd Street new Select Bus Service (SBS) routes 19/40 DOT Improve traffic and Congestion is a big problem in the district and pedestrian safety, this is one tool to help solve the issue. Traffic including traffic often comes to a standstill in the 6th, 7th and calming (Capital) 8th avenue area where traffic blocks the box and impedes other traffic flow as well as pedestrian flow. 20/40 DOT Install streetscape Bikes are being chained through the district on improvements lampposts and pocket parks. The provision of bike corrals would make this situation less unsightly. 22/40 DOT Repair or provide Replacing existing street lights with City Lights Broadway new street lights design and increase number of street lights on 34th 42nd Broadway between 34th and 42nd 23/40 DOT Upgrade or create new plazas NYPL and Bryant Park pedestrian improvements Avenue Of The Americas, Manhattan, New York, NY 24/40 DOT Repair or provide The repair would help ease street congestion new street lights and curb access 25/40 DOT Install streetscape Create/enhance an ongoing program in the improvements department to promote/require green infrastructure initiatives throughout the district, but particularly in areas of greatest pedestrian traffic such as around Penn Station, Herald and Greeley Squares, and Times Square. These green infrastructure initiatives should include rain gardens, stormwater management, greenstreets, etc. to create a variety of sustainable green infrastructure practices in public and private streetscapes in the district. 32/40 NYCTA Repair or upgrade Repair leaks in the 1 train 50th Street Station subway stations or other transit infrastructure 33/40 NYCTA Improve Subway Elevator access to both 4/5/6 platforms accessibility of at Union Square/14th St Station, MadisonSq transit 23rd St R/W Station, Bryant Park 42ndSt infrastructure, by B/D/F/M/7 Station providing elevators, escalators, etc. 34/40 NYCTA Other transit Provide additional electric Buses to be used on infrastructure the routes in CB5 requests 35/40 DOT Other capital traffic Congestion and traffic are a big issue through improvements out the district and installing these clocks would requests give the public some indication of 36/40 DOT Other capital traffic FIT strongly supports the addition of a plan to improvements take off the street the many long-distance buses requests currently using curbside pick-up and drop-off sites throughout the district and in CB4. These buses can be accommodated within the new PABT or in a separate structure, but the issue must be included in the EIS scope and advance simultaneously with the PABT project. 40/40 NYCTA Improve accessibility of transit infrastructure, by providing elevators, escalators, etc. The new elevators and escalators from the mezzanine level down to the 7 platforms bypass the 4-5-6- platforms so most transferring commuters will congest the 4-5-6- platforms to access the two current stairwells down to the 7 platform. Expense Requests Related to Transportation and Mobility Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 16/24 DOT Other expense traffic improvements requests Comprehensive Street Use plan - 5th and 6th Aves from 14th to 59th Sts image 17/24 DOT Other expense traffic improvements requests Create/enhance an ongoing program in the department to promote/require green infrastructure initiatives throughout the district, but particularly in areas of greatest pedestrian traffic such as around Penn Station, Herald and Greeley Squares, and Times Square. These green infrastructure initiatives should include rain gardens, stormwater management, greenstreets, etc. to create a variety of sustainable green infrastructure practices in public and private streetscapes in the district. image 21/24 NYCTA Other transit service requests Eliminate Enhanced service image PARKS, CULTURAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES Manhattan Community Board 5 image M ost Important Issue Related to Parks, Cultural and Other Community Facilities Community board resources (offices, staff and equipment) The issue of funding for the Community Board office has been of particular concern to CB5 and has been its number one budget request for the last three years. The participation of ordinary individuals in the processes that determine how we live in the city is vital, particularly in a time where increasingly such participation is being chipped away. Accordingly, CB5 believes that funding a Board office that can hire competitively and that can robustly handle stakeholder requests is of primary importance. image image C ommunity District Needs Related to Parks, Cultural and Other Community Facilities Needs for Parks Parks—Privately managed parks are an important feature of the district. There is a need to maximize use of public spaces for recreational use by residents and workers within the context of allowing these management organizations to have self-supporting financing mechanisms to cover maintenance and park programming. Privately- Owned Public Spaces—The Department of City Planning and DOB need to coordinate to ensure that properties receiving density bonuses through provision of a plaza are fulfilling all of their obligations to afford a true public amenity. The City should make unexpected inspections of all privately owned public spaces each year, issue warnings to owners violating the terms of their bonus and remove the DOB occupancy permits for bonuses floor area for owners who do not bring their plazas into compliance within a reasonable time frame. Needs for Cultural Services No comments Needs for Library Services CB5 is home to six branches of the New York Public Library, including two of the four research libraries in New York. The New York Public Library facilities serving the district continue to need additional funding to meet the demand for its services. In the fiscal year 2016, CB5 libraries had 4,769,129 visits, some of the highest levels of use in the City. Libraries in our district provide Internet access to low income residents, out of school programs, early literacy, and events for senior citizens. Needs for Community Boards The issue of funding for the Community Board office has been of particular concern to CB5 and has been its number one budget request for the last two years. The participation of ordinary individuals in the processes that determine how we live in the city is vital, particularly in a time where increasingly such participation is being chipped away. Accordingly, CB5 believes that funding a Board office that can hire competitively and that can robustly handle stakeholder requests is of primary importance. image Capital Requests Related to Parks, Cultural and Other Community Facilities Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 5/40 DPR Provide a new, or DPR should fund the renovation, construction new expansion to, a and operation of public restrooms at parks building in a park throughout the district. The lack of these facilities is a major contributor to street pollution.The recent public advocate publication on this issue highlighted the lack of public facilities within our parks. Herald and Greeley Square, Fr. Duffy Park and Union Square are areas in which public bathrooms could be considered. 26/40 DPR Provide a new or Locations include 57th Street on the west side expanded park or and 29th street on the east side, west 30th playground street, renew the neglected green space at Broadway and 54th street as well as on West 53rd and West 55th streets 27/40 DPR Reconstruct or The public bathroom at Greeley Square has upgrade a parks been closed for some time and currently the facility public bathroom at herald square is under renovation. Because these open spaces and commercial corridor are heavily visited, access to public bathrooms are paramount and we ask that Parks work with 34th Street Partnership to provide safe accessible bathrooms in this area preferably with an attendant. 28/40 DPR Reconstruct or Identification, purchase and planting of upgrade a park or shadow-resistant trees and plants in areas of playground Central Park covered by skyscraper shade 29/40 DPR Reconstruct or Upgrade of restroom next to Delacorte Theater Childrens Zoo upgrade a parks in Central Park Ticket Booth, facility Manhattan, New York, NY 30/40 DPR Provide a new or Increased Development & Maintenance of expanded park or Publicly Accessible Parks & Playgrounds playground Expense Requests Related to Parks, Cultural and Other Community Facilities Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 1/24 OMB Other community board facilities and staff requests CB5 has used its funding to increase its outreach to the community and undertake important studies that will inform members and the public about issues such as shadows created by the supertalls and other new buildins in the district. image 4/24 QL Extend library hours or expand and enhance library programs Ensure funding to provide minimum six days per week openings and high-quality and diverse programming. We would like to ensure appropriate funding for the expansion of libraries, and to ensure that services and collections are maintained. This is particularly important now that more people rely on library services for myriad things such as early literacy programming, ESOL classes for immigrants and story times for homeless families.
      7. OTHER BUDGET REQUESTS Other Capital Requests The Community Board did not submit any Budget Requests in this category. Other Expense Requests Priority Agency Request Explanation Location image 2/24 Other Other expense budget request Request should be conveyed to DOITT. The full list of non-auctioning telephone booths within the district is attached. A clear timetable of removal should be made available.
      8. SUMMARY OF PRIORITIZED BUDGET REQUESTS Capital Budget Requests Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 1/40 DHS Other facilities for Medical respite programs provide hospitals with the homeless an alternative to discharging homeless patients requests to the streets or to unequipped shelters. Medical respite programs seek to improve transitional care for this population and end the cycle of homelessness by supporting patients in access benefits and housing. 2/40 HPD Provide more The extra subsidy will help finance more new housing for construction rental units at shelter rent extremely low and allowance and create more units for the low income homeless which is needed given the number of households homeless within the district. 3/40 DHS Provide new One of the biggest issues we’re seeing right now homeless shelters or is that the safe haven system is not meeting the SROs demand, especially for women. Currently, there is no safe haven in NYC exclusively for women, which is barring many women from coming off the streets. 4/40 DOT Other Our district has the highest density of New transportation Yorkers and concentration of tourists, and there infrastructure are not enough public bathrooms to serve them. requests Our districts also has a extremely high number of 311 complaints from public urination. We also have a high amount of homeless population living on the streets that do not have access to public bathrooms. 5/40 DPR Provide a new, or DPR should fund the renovation, construction new expansion to, a and operation of public restrooms at parks building in a park throughout the district. The lack of these facilities is a major contributor to street pollution.The recent public advocate publication on this issue highlighted the lack of public facilities within our parks. Herald and Greeley Square, Fr. Duffy Park and Union Square are areas in which public bathrooms could be considered. 6/40 DOT Repair or construct These curb repairs are needed near the 8th Avenue new curbs or M20/M104 bus stop 45th 46th pedestrian ramps 7/40 DOT Repair or construct new curbs or pedestrian ramps This request has not been addressed from last year. Very specifically, we would like to see this at the following locations: 28th and PAS, Penn Station on 7th Ave at 31st, 32nd, & 33rd, SE corner 40th & 8th, SE corner 39th & 8th, NE corner 42nd & 8th 8/40 DOT Repair or construct These locations are: 8th Ave at 550 8th Ave new curbs or (37th/38th), at 554 8th Ave (37th/38th), at 572 pedestrian ramps 8th Ave, at 590, 592, 594 8th Ave, at 614 to 616 8th Ave, Northern half of 8th Ave from 45th to 46th. We are requesting that the new grates should be similar to the grates in front of the Microsoft entrance at 11 Times Sq 8th (41st/42n) because they are flat with the sidewalk, stable (don’t bounce or wiggle), and blend in with the sidewalk (these grates don’t look like an obstacle to be avoided). 8th Ave sidewalks between Penn Station & PABT are very crowded. We need every inch of the sidewalk and do not need pedestrians queuing up to walk around subway grates. 9/40 DOT Other Repainting of crosswalks at: Union Square West transportation at 14&15 Streets Park Ave South/15 & infrastructure 16thEast/West 5th Ave & 15 St.: North-South requests Crosswalk on west side of 5th 10/40 DOT Repair or provide Traffic congestion is an issue that is repeatedly 5th Avenue new street lights mentioned by people within the district and lights for buses would significantly improve traffic. 11/40 DOT Repair or construct Congestion is a problem within the districting it new curbs or is growing because the number of visitors is pedestrian ramps increasing, there residential population is increasing and the homeless are also occupying a lot of space, particularly along the 8th avenue corridor. This work has already begun at 39th street west but should span from 34th st to 49th on 8th avenue 12/40 DOT Reconstruct streets The bike lane design here is confusing and should be improved in this area to lessen cyclist- pedestrian conflicts. It would be also helpful to remove unessential concrete islands from 34th St which remain from when Broadway was not pedestrian only. Funding should be provided to find a design which would allow pedestrians to walk on a wide sidewalk on Sixth Ave along the both parks’ Sixth Ave fence. Currently, the passage is very it is very narrow (2ft) along Greeley Sq and pits pedestrians against the uptown bike path along Herald Sq. 13/40 DOT Roadway Water has pooled within the same location for maintenance (i.e. over a year at times forcing bicyclists into the pothole repair, street. This is one of the only through way bike resurfacing, trench lanes in the area. restoration, etc.) 14/40 DOT Upgrade or create Pershing Square West has been repaired and new plazas looks great; it would be great if the rest of the Plazas could follow suit. 15/40 DHS Upgrade existing Advocates have indicated that this centralized facilities for the system alienates those who would avail of homeless shelter and by humanizing the process with smaller in take centers throughout the city more people could potentially be removed from our streets. 16/40 DHS Provide new Current safe havens do not allow for people do homeless shelters or be housed with animals, except for service or SROs emotional support animals. This causes a significant population to refuse shelter so as not to be separated from their pets. Advocates claim that should such a a pet friendly safe haven would encourage more homeless to avail of this shelter. 17/40 HHC Other health care Only half of the community air survey monitors facilities requests are undertaking a 24/7 data collection. In addition there is a monitoring gap between Prince Street and 37th Street, particularly in the southern portions of CB5 near 23rd St./Madison Square Park and 14th Street, Union Square. 18/40 DOT Upgrade or provide This initiative would help congestion. 42nd Street new Select Bus Service (SBS) routes 19/40 DOT Improve traffic and Congestion is a big problem in the district and pedestrian safety, this is one tool to help solve the issue. Traffic including traffic often comes to a standstill in the 6th, 7th and calming (Capital) 8th avenue area where traffic blocks the box and impedes other traffic flow as well as pedestrian flow. 20/40 DOT Install streetscape Bikes are being chained through the district on improvements lampposts and pocket parks. The provision of bike corrals would make this situation less unsightly. 21/40 SCA Renovate other site The material currently on the rooftop component playground creates a situation where the children cannot play on the surface for a day or two after rain. 22/40 DOT Repair or provide Replacing existing street lights with City Lights Broadway new street lights design and increase number of street lights on 34th 42nd Broadway between 34th and 42nd 23/40 DOT Upgrade or create NYPL and Bryant Park pedestrian improvements Avenue Of new plazas The Americas, Manhattan, New York, NY 24/40 DOT Repair or provide The repair would help ease street congestion new street lights and curb access 25/40 DOT Install streetscape Create/enhance an ongoing program in the improvements department to promote/require green infrastructure initiatives throughout the district, but particularly in areas of greatest pedestrian traffic such as around Penn Station, Herald and Greeley Squares, and Times Square. These green infrastructure initiatives should include rain gardens, stormwater management, greenstreets, etc. to create a variety of sustainable green infrastructure practices in public and private streetscapes in the district. 26/40 DPR Provide a new or Locations include 57th Street on the west side expanded park or and 29th street on the east side, west 30th playground street, renew the neglected green space at Broadway and 54th street as well as on West 53rd and West 55th streets 27/40 DPR Reconstruct or The public bathroom at Greeley Square has upgrade a parks been closed for some time and currently the facility public bathroom at herald square is under renovation. Because these open spaces and commercial corridor are heavily visited, access to public bathrooms are paramount and we ask that Parks work with 34th Street Partnership to provide safe accessible bathrooms in this area preferably with an attendant. 28/40 DPR Reconstruct or Identification, purchase and planting of upgrade a park or shadow-resistant trees and plants in areas of playground Central Park covered by skyscraper shade 29/40 DPR Reconstruct or Upgrade of restroom next to Delacorte Theater Childrens Zoo upgrade a parks in Central Park Ticket Booth, facility Manhattan, New York, NY 30/40 DPR Provide a new or Increased Development & Maintenance of expanded park or Publicly Accessible Parks & Playgrounds playground 31/40 HPD Other affordable Supportive housing is imperative to help get housing programs people who are chronically homeless off the requests (capital) streets. Without the wrap around services to address their needs it is unlikely they will stay independent or become contributing members of the City. 32/40 NYCTA Repair or upgrade Repair leaks in the 1 train 50th Street Station subway stations or other transit infrastructure 33/40 NYCTA Improve Subway Elevator access to both 4/5/6 platforms accessibility of at Union Square/14th St Station, MadisonSq transit 23rd St R/W Station, Bryant Park 42ndSt infrastructure, by B/D/F/M/7 Station providing elevators, escalators, etc. 34/40 NYCTA Other transit Provide additional electric Buses to be used on infrastructure the routes in CB5 requests 35/40 DOT Other capital traffic Congestion and traffic are a big issue through improvements out the district and installing these clocks would requests give the public some indication of 36/40 DOT Other capital traffic FIT strongly supports the addition of a plan to improvements take off the street the many long-distance buses requests currently using curbside pick-up and drop-off sites throughout the district and in CB4. These buses can be accommodated within the new PABT or in a separate structure, but the issue must be included in the EIS scope and advance simultaneously with the PABT project. 37/40 SCA Provide technology Currently not enough functional computers for upgrade all students to work at once. The provision of laptops will not only allow students to become proficient in the latest technology and allow their teachers to use current tools such as GoogleClassroom and DeltaMath but also allows students to prepare and submit college applications 38/40 DHS Upgrade existing City has meaningfully increased the funding for facilities for the both service initiatives and continues to do so in homeless the coming years. However outreach and informational campaign have not reached many corners of the city. If the services are not known, they will not be fully utilized. 39/40 DSNY Other garbage For FIT in particular, we are especially collection and concerned about trash the Megabus drop-off recycling site on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street - the sole infrastructure drop off for the entire city. (Passengers requests (Capital) disembark after 3-6 hour bus rides with significant food garbage, and the trash can at the Megabus site often overflows onto the street.) Also, there appears to be a significant increase in trash in the gutters and on the sidewalks in the district which might be addressed with more frequent street cleaning. Complaints of overflowing baskets are particularly rife on 7th avenue from FIT all the way to 5t8h Street West 29th street has also been problematic with one resident claiming not to have seen one street cleaning in almost a year. It would be helpful if we had a schedule of pick up and cleanings 40/40 NYCTA Improve The new elevators and escalators from the accessibility of mezzanine level down to the 7 platforms bypass transit the 4-5-6- platforms so most transferring infrastructure, by commuters will congest the 4-5-6- platforms to providing elevators, access the two current stairwells down to the 7 escalators, etc. platform. Expense Budget Requests Priority Agency Request Explanation Location 1/24 OMB Other community CB5 has used its funding to increase its outreach board facilities and to the community and undertake important staff requests studies that will inform members and the public about issues such as shadows created by the supertalls and other new buildins in the district. 2/24 Other Other expense Request should be conveyed to DOITT. The full budget request list of non-auctioning telephone booths within the district is attached. A clear timetable of removal should be made available. 3/24 DSNY Other garbage The new waste management proposal is not collection and well understood by small businesses in our recycling requests district and we would like to see outreach to these organizations so that they understand the new carting policy and can be part of the conversation as the waste management plan evolves; fund outreach to stakeholders on the design of the program, to research the efficacy of the system once its in place, to create a small hauler advocacy program would all enhance the new carting system. 4/24 QL Extend library hours Ensure funding to provide minimum six days per or expand and week openings and high-quality and diverse enhance library programming. We would like to ensure programs appropriate funding for the expansion of libraries, and to ensure that services and collections are maintained. This is particularly  important now that more people rely on library services for myriad things such as early literacy programming, ESOL classes for immigrants and story times for homeless families. 5/24 NYPD Increase resources There are currently three construction projects for other crime on the north side West 28th Street between prevention Seventh and Eighth avenues, one of which (GDS- programs NY) also fronts on Seventh Avenue. A fourth project is close to beginning at the long-empty Edison block-through site at the western end of the street. Individuals have taken up day-time residence on Seventh Avenue under the GDS-NY construction shed. In the evening, the sheds on 28th Street serve as gathering places for drug uses and loiterers. Additional patrols will help maintain some semblance of safety and decorum on the street. BIDS and other members of the District have identified an increase in pan handlers, the mentally ill and homeless populating the area around Penn Station and Times Square. This are some of the most densely congested areas 6/24 DHS Expand street One of the most pressing issues facing the outreach district is homelessness and many of these individuals congregate in the Pennn Station, FIT and Port Authority area. These individuals have myriad problems including mental illness and drug addiction and additional outreach and services to work with this population can only help with these issues. 7/24 DSNY Provide more For FIT in particular, we are especially frequent garbage or concerned about trash the Megabus drop-off recycling pick-up site on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street - the sole drop off for the entire city. (Passengers disembark after 3-6 hour bus rides with significant food garbage, and the trash can at the Megabus site often overflows onto the street.) Also, there appears to be a significant increase in trash in the gutters and on the sidewalks in the district which might be addressed with more frequent street cleaning. Complaints of overflowing baskets are particularly rife on 7th avenue from FIT all the way to 5t8h Street West 29th street has also been problematic with one resident claiming not to have seen one street cleaning in almost a year. It would be helpful if we had a schedule of pick up and cleanings and if this could b 8/24 EDC Improve public As DCA & DOHMH debate increasing the markets number of cart permits, we would like to understand how these carts impact current businesses 9/24 DCP Study land use and Residents have indicated that they feel their zoning to better buildings sway and are concerned street match current use foundation weaknesses that will be magnified or future by the new transit rules for 14th street that will neighborhood see more traffic being routed to their streets. needs 10/24 DHS, Other homelessness IT system handling shelter population requires HRA prevention program modernization to better handle the increased request population, specifically storing data electronically, mapping vacancies across shelters, storing data around optimal communities for a resident to be housed in and creating an algorithm to place ppl in optimal shelters for their rehabilitation 11/24 DEP Clean catch basins These catch basins are clogged, which results in odors from standing water and poor drainage when it rains. We get some very bad ponding conditions on the plazas in particular. We have reported them to 311 in the past but to my knowledge they have Specific locations include the northeast corner of Broadway and West 38th Street, Northeast corner of West 38th Street and Broadway, Northeast corner of Broadway and West 37th Street never been cleaned. 12/24 NYCHA Other housing Emergency grant applicants may obtain rental support requests assistance in cases of impending evictions, assistance with home energy and utility bills, disaster assistance including moving expenses, and the purchase of personal items for health and safety. The City should build upon recent efforts to streamline this process to ensure more people are quickly connected to One Shot Deal. 13/24 HPD Provide or enhance Housing developments face two major rental subsidies expenses: expenses in building and expenses in programs ongoing maintenance. HPD can and has been funding subsidies attached to specific units within housing developments for the homeless. By increasing the level of this subsidy, more units for the homeless can be brought on line and be maintained adequately. 14/24 DHS Other request for These individuals face a myriad of problems, services for the programs and outreach from an array of homeless sources, both public and private. Establishing trust and confidence is difficult and the presence of a licensed professional who can work on a continuing basis to connect them with existing resources could be life-changing for these individuals. This presence also will help leverage the success of existing programs and interventions. 15/24 DHS, Other homelessness Fund grants that can be awarded to community HRA prevention program boards, business improvement districts, private request businesses and not for profit organizations who organize to create and operate programs in the district to address issues of street homelessness, connect individuals and families to resources, enhance resources available in the district, study the existence and success of shelters and other resources, and otherwise address the fact and perception of increasing numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness individuals on the streets in the district. Homeless is one of the greatest challenges facing the district. While many agencies and organizations are attempting to tackle this problem the encouraging other entities to help find solutions may create the next best way to address the issue. 16/24 DOT Other expense Comprehensive Street Use plan - 5th and 6th traffic Aves from 14th to 59th Sts improvements requests 17/24 DOT Other expense Create/enhance an ongoing program in the traffic department to promote/require green improvements infrastructure initiatives throughout the district, requests but particularly in areas of greatest pedestrian traffic such as around Penn Station, Herald and Greeley Squares, and Times Square. These green infrastructure initiatives should include rain gardens, stormwater management, greenstreets, etc. to create a variety of sustainable green infrastructure practices in public and private streetscapes in the district. 18/24 NYPD Other NYPD Continuing Support for noise abasement and facilities and enforcement: Resident surveys, 311 complaints equipment requests and anecdotal information show a strong need (Expense) for enhanced/expanded noise pollution abatement and enforcement programs. Additional resources include night inspections and enhanced enforcement, as well as outreach to the regulated community and residents alike about the requirements of the law, how it is enforced and penalties for lack of compliance. Noise complaints from traffic, from construction and from bars and nightclubs continue to be one of the biggest issues facing our district and it would be helpful to ensure that these 19/24 DSNY Other garbage DSNY should be given adequate funding to collection and effectively manage the city’s transition to a recycling requests zoned commercial waste zone system, if such a system is required by the City Council. Manhattan CB 5 joins BP Brewer and other stakeholders who have expressed concern that the proposed Department of Sanitation Division of Commercial Waste be created and funded sufficiently to execute a clear organizational structure and delineation of responsibilities to promote communication among city agencies, the regulated community, large and small businesses, and other affected stakeholders. DSNY should be given adequate funding to ensure that the advantages and resulting efficiencies, customer service benchmarks, recycling, and other benefits promised from the commercial waste zone system in fact are created and c 20/24 HPD Other affordable Limited dollar amount, % in rent increase, and housing programs length of time for depreciation on capital requests (expense) improvements projects (in existing rent stablized building) are some key restrictions that the new rent laws cover. Multi-year tracking of builing & unit conditions should start now, in year 0, to identify the positive/negative effects of the new laws. Will these restrictions reduce landlord's incentives to conduct building-wide capital improvements and unit-specific repairs? 21/24 NYCTA Other transit service Eliminate Enhanced service requests 22/24 NYPD Assign additional Funding to provide additional Traffic Agents to traffic enforcement address Parking Violations officers 23/24 SBS Other expense commercial district revitalization requests This would be similar to the Community Toilet Scheme that has been in operation in the UK for the past decade and recently adopted by Washington DC. There is a lack of public bathrooms in our district and an incredibly high percentage of public urination per documented 311 calls. image 24/24 SBS Other expense commercial district revitalization requests Expand offerings under Chamber-on-the-Go image
Community District Needs Statement - FY21 - Manhattan Community District 5 - Content