Happy New Year From CB6!
Manhattan Community Board Six extends warm greetings for the new year to all our neighbors and community partners. As we reflect on the happenings of the past year, we’re grateful to be able to continue working with all of you in 2023. As always, we’ll work to ensure that the voice of the community is heard, to support our residents and business owners, and to advocate for a more equitable district and New York City.
Additionally, if one of your new year’s resolutions is to get more involved with what’s happening in your community, please read the rest of our newsletter, as it contains information on how to apply to become a part of the community board, upcoming community board meetings, and upcoming events in the community.
2023 Community Board Applications are Live!
A complete application must be submitted online or postmarked by no later than 5:00 pm Friday, March 17th, 2023. Current members who are up for re-appointment must also apply if they wish to continue their service.
Click on the image above to learn more.
Proposed Change to New York State Assembly District Boundaries
Over the last several months, our newsletters reported on an attempt to put parts of Manhattan Community District 6 into a majority-Queens New York City Council District. Thankfully, due to the efforts of CB6 and other community stakeholders, we were able to keep this from happening.
We are in a similar situation again, but this time, with the New York State Assembly. The New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission released its proposed map for the New York State Assembly. In that map, most of our constituents north of East 42nd Street are proposed to be redistricted to a majority-Queens New York State Assembly District.
The redistricting proposal is far from final, as it will face a series of public hearings before a final version is submitted next April — including a February 7 hearing at Hunter College’s Kaye Playhouse.
Additionally, CB6’s Budget & Governmental Affairs Committee discussed the proposed redistricting at its meeting last night. At tommorow’s Full Board meeting, CB6 will vote on a resolution opposing the attempt to place parts of our East Side community within a Queens Assembly District.
New City Council District Boundaries
Speaking of redistricting, with the new year comes new City Council boundaries that will be used for the first time in the June 2023 Primary.
To figure out which City Council election you can vote in this year, take a look at where you are within the redrawn boundaries. All residents of our district fall within the redrawn Council District 2, Council District 4, or Council District 5. You can view the maps for those districts, and all NYC Council Districts, on the NYC Districting Commission website.
Additionally, please note that the redrawn City Council boundaries will not have an impact on CB6’s district boundaries. You can view CB6’s district boundaries here.
Mayor Seeks to Modernize NYC’s Zoning Rules
The Mayor’s City of Yes initiative seeks to modernize and rationalize zoning rules to help the City recover more quickly from the pandemic, to create a greener city, to support small business growth, and to incentivize the creation of housing, at all levels, in all New York City neighborhoods. There are three proposed zoning text amendments that would be part of this initiative:
Zoning for Zero Carbon aims to modernize the zoning regulations in support of the City’s climate goals. The changes would focus on supporting a renewable energy grid, making our buildings clean and efficient, support for electric vehicle charging and micro-mobility options, and reducing waste and stormwater.
Zoning for Economic Opportunity is focused on providing small businesses with the flexibility needed to for them to change and grow, especially as the city recovers from COVID-19. The proposals would remove unnecessary and outdated limitations on small businesses and ensure that our storefronts are occupied, and our neighborhoods remain lively spaces.
Zoning for Housing Opportunity is a direct response to our City’s housing crisis. This seeks to ensure that every neighborhood does its part to help meet housing needs and provide equitable access to housing for all New Yorkers.
To learn more about City of Yes, visit DCP’s website here. Flyers describing the proposals are directly available here.
Please let CB6 know if you have any comments on any of these proposed text amendments. Please email info@cbsix.org with your comments.
New Dog Run in Manhattan Community District 6
Pictured, from left to right: CB6 Chair Kyle Athayde, Parks Department Manhattan Borough Commissioner Anthony Perez, Council Member Keith Powers, Kevin O’Keefe (St. Vartan Parks Conservancy and CB6 Member), Sandy McKee (Alliance for Kips Bay and Land Use & Waterfront Committee Chair), and Joanna Sanchez (Assembly Member Harvey Epstein’s office). Photo taken by CB6 Staff.
CB6 is excited to say that there is now a dog run on the East River Esplanade, between East 38th and East 39th Streets!
Several months ago, CB6 was approached about a dog run proposal in this area. The hope is that a new dog run here would give room for the large dog population in this area to exercise and socialize, therefore preventing overcrowding at other dog runs. In response, the community board passed a resolution last June supporting a dog run in this area.
CB6 Chair Kyle Athayde with his dog in the new dog run. Photo taken by CB6 Staff.
Thanks to the advocacy of the community board and the Alliance for Kips Bay, $15,000 of allocated funding from Council Member Keith Powers, and the support of the Parks Department, the community has a new dog run. CB6 thanks all of the community partners who helped make this possible.
In Memoriam
Carol Schachter, Former CB6 Chair
We were saddened to learn about the passing of former CB6 Chair Carol Schachter last month.
Schachter was appointed to CB6 in 1995. She served as Chair from 2004 to 2006, as well as stints as Board Secretary and as Chair of our Business Affairs & Street Activities Committee (since renamed our Business Affairs & Licensing Committee). At CB6, she was known for spearheading the effort to help preserve the “Sobriety Garden” at Bellevue Hospital, overseeing the development of zoning and land use plans for the community board, and her leadership as Chair. Outside of CB6, she was involved in numerous other civic affairs, including with local NYPD Community Councils and as President of the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association.
CB6 offers its condolences to the family of Carol Schachter. May her memory be a blessing.
Michael Yamin, Former CB6 Chair
We were also saddened to learn about the passing of former CB6 Chair Michael Yamin.
Yamin was Chair of CB6 from 1986 to 1988. In his various capacities, both within and outside of CB6, he was known for advocacy with green space, bike paths, community gardens, and zoning restrictions, among other things. Outside of CB6, he was a Korean War Veteran, a practicing attorney, an active volunteer, and a lifelong sailor.
CB6 offers its condolences to the family of Michael Yamin. May his memory be a blessing.
CB6 Staff noticed that a building on the west side of the FDR Drive, just north of the 37th Street FDR Drive Underpass, had graffiti on it. The presence of graffiti affects the morale of residents, not to mention is disrespectful to the owner of the property with the graffiti.
Because of the graffiti, CB6 reached out to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which runs the Graffiti-Free NYC program (a program whose restoration we advocated for in our budget request process when it became a victim of pandemic-era budget cuts). Because of this effort, crews came out last week to address the graffiti, and it is now gone!
CB6 is here to help. If you need help with a graffiti problem or other service request issue, please fill out our Get Help form, email help@cbsix.org, or call (212) 319-3750.
Get your COVID Booster and Mask Up
We have a tripledemic, in COVID, RSV, and the flu. In order to do the best you can to keep yourself from landing in the hospital, we should make it a priority to get boosted. And get your flu shot while you’re at it! Click the image above to find a vaccine location near you. Pro tip: our very own Bellevue Hospital is a great place right here in Manhattan Community District 6 to get your booster shot!
Also, let’s not forget COVID testing. You can find a COVID testing site here. In fact, NYC Health + Hospitals offers free COVID testing at hospitals, health centers, and pop-up locations across the five boroughs, including at (yup, you guessed it) Bellevue Hospital. No appointment is necessary! Find all NYC Health + Hospitals testing sites here.
Speaking of testing, every American household is eligible to order up to four free at-home COVID tests. Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests to learn more.
Last, but not least, know that the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that you wear a high-quality mask in all public indoor settings and around crowds outside.
By doing all these things, you are doing the best you can to make sure that neither you nor your loved ones land in the hospital with COVID, the flu, or RSV!
Upcoming Meetings
CB6 Office Closure this Month
The CB6 office will be closed on Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Even though the CB6 office is closed on that day, 311 will still be available. Additionally, if you have a service request issue, you can still reach out to help@cbsix.org and we will follow up with you after our office reopens.
Alternate Side Parking will also be suspended on January 16th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. However, you still need to feed the meter.
Finally, there will be no collection of trash or recycling on January 16th. If your collection day falls on this day, please check DSNY’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram), their press release page, or 311 for more information.
Community Updates
- REAL ID Deadline Extended: The deadline to get the Enhanced or REAL ID in order to get on a domestic flight (within the U.S.), or to enter certain federal buildings or military bases (unless you have a passport or another federally-accepted form of ID), was originally May of this year. Federal officials have announced that the deadline has been extended by two years–to May 7, 2025. Learn about REAL ID in New York State here.
- Department of Sanitation Now Hiring Emergency Snow Laborers 2022-2023 Season: The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced that registration is now open for those interested in working as Emergency Snow Laborers for the 2022-2023 winter season. Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets after heavy snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $17 per hour to start, and $25.50 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week. To learn more about the requirements of becoming an Emergency Snow Laborer, or to apply, please visit the Department of Sanitation website.
- Survey of New Yorkers Living on the Street: On Tuesday, January 24th from 10 PM to 4 AM, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will conduct its Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). This helps to provide the estimate of New Yorkers sleeping unsheltered on the streets that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In order to conduct this survey, DHS needs help to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to estimate the number of people who are living on the street. Volunteer sites are available all over the city, including in Community District 6–at P.S. 116. This work will enable DHS to collect necessary information that will help them move individuals from the streets to a safe environment. Please visit nyc.gov/hope to learn more and to register.
- The New York New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries (NYNJHAT) Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Feasibility Study: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District is announcing a series of virtual and in-person public meetings for the New York New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries (NYNJHAT) Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Feasibility Study. The purpose of the meetings is to inform the public of the NYNJHAT Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (FR) and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP), and to solicit public feedback on this tentative plan selection to manage coastal storm risk in the Study Area, which includes Manhattan Community District 6. For information on upcoming virtual meetings and about the study, please click here. The deadline for submitting comments has been extended to March 7, 2023.
- Kindergarten Applications Open: The kindergarten application is open! Apply by January 20, 2023. Watch the NYC Department of Education’s video series to learn more about kindergarten admissions.
- Opportunity to Learn About Affordable Housing Options for Older Adults: On Thursday, January 12th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM, Senator Krueger’s Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors will talk about affordable housing options for older adults. You can register for the virtual roundtable here.
- Borough President Levine’s State of the Borough Address: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine will deliver a State of the Borough Address on January 31st from 6 PM to 9 PM at The City College of New York (CCNY). Details on how to RSVP will come soon.
- Assembly District 74 Youth Council: Assembly Member Harvey Epstein is seeking local middle and high school students to join their district youth council. You’re eligible to apply if you live or go to school in District 74! The deadline to apply is Friday, January 5, 2023. Fill out an application by visiting https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Harvey-Epstein/ (or Google “Harvey Epstein”) and clicking the link entitled “Apply to Join the District 74 Youth Council” on the right hand side of the homepage.
| Visit our community events page regularly! |
NYC Department of Transportation Open Streets Application
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Open Streets application is live. Visit http://www.nyc.gov/openstreets#apply to access the application and learn more about the program.
If you look to apply for an Open Street, keep the following deadlines in mind:
- If your Open Street will launch on or before June 30th, 2023, you must apply by January 31st, 2023.
- If your Open Street will launch on or after July 1st, 2023, you must apply by April 14th, 2023. This deadline is also for any school applying for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Email openstreets@dot.nyc.gov with any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance completing an application.
It’s Heat Season. Here are Some Helpful Reminders from the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development
Heat season is underway. What this means is that your landlord has requirements on how warm to keep your building.
Day
During the day, if the temperature is below 55 degrees, then your building is required to have indoor temperatures minimally at 68 degrees.
Night
At night, your building is required to have a minimum indoor temperature of 62 degrees. Note that unlike during the day, there is no outside temperature requirement for maintaining this temperature at night.
What to do if your building does not meet temperature requirements
If you have issues with heat in your building, you should first be in contact with your building’s property management (the building owner, managing agent, or superintendent). If service is not restored after contact with your building’s management, call 311, visit 311 online, or use the 311Mobile app (on Android or iOS devices). Hearing-impaired tenants can file complaints through Touchtone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (212) 504-4115.
If you see no improvements after contacting your building’s management and 311, please reach out to CB6 by calling (212) 319-3750, emailing help@cbsix.org, or filling out our get help form. Make sure to have your 311 number on you when contacting CB6.
Hot Water Requirements for Buildings
Note that, unlike with heat (addressed in the newsletter item above), hot water must be provided to you all year long at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
If there is no hot water in your building, you should first be in contact with your building’s property management (the building owner, managing agent, or superintendent). If service is not restored after contact with your building’s management, call 311, visit 311 online, or use the 311Mobile app (on Android or iOS devices). Hearing-impaired tenants can file complaints through Touchtone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (212) 504-4115.
Furthermore, if you see no improvements after contacting your building’s management and 311, please reach out to CB6 by calling (212) 319-3750, emailing help@cbsix.org, or filling out our get help form. Make sure to have your 311 number on you when contacting CB6.
