UPPER WEST SIDE COALITION NEWSLETTER
Summer 2022
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BLOCK ASSOCIATION & COMMUNITY GROUP NEWS
West 79th Street Block Association
We have been in discussions with Fairstead and Project FIND since November 2019 about their plans for Park 79 located at 117 West 79th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. The property was redeveloped by Fairstead to provide affordable housing and social services for low income and formerly homeless older adults aged 62+. The lottery for Park 79 housing launched on June 3 and will run through August 5 with new residents moving in at the end of the summer.
We are very excited to welcome these residents to our block. Once they are settled, we have arranged for the 20th Precinct to make an in-person presentation about traffic safety, and we have also been in touch with the Department of Transportation about getting bolder traffic crossing lines at 79th and Columbus Ave. Several block residents have volunteered to offer art lessons, and some musicians want to entertain residents with a concert.
- Submitted by Dale Brown, President, West 79th Street Block Assn.
TRPNA, Theodore Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association of West 81st St.
The Museum’s latest update on the continued construction of the new Gilder Center indicates work is taking place on most Saturdays, and includes "the setting and installation of the West facade glass via crane as well as continuation of waterproofing and insulation installation. The work will occur between 9:00AM and 5:00 PM, and there will be 5-6 trucks accessing the site, including a boom truck." Upcoming work includes installation of stone panels for the facade. In addition, the renovations inside Theodore Roosevelt Park include "excavating and preparing for sub-base, installation of the storm water retention tank, installation of drains and manholes, and underground utility work."
- Submitted by Steve Andersen, President, TRPNA
West 80s Street Neighborhood Association
For those of you following the ongoing debate about the future of West Park Presbyterian Church on the corner of West 86th Street and Amsterdam Ave., the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (NYC LPC) held a public meeting on Tuesday, July 19, to discuss its fate, but no final decision was made. Key stakeholders in this debate include the church’s congregation and The Center at West Park, the non-profit community performing arts center based in the historic church, which is a New York City landmark. The church has applied to have its landmark status removed in order to sell the property to a real estate developer. Here is a link to the West Side Rag’s report on that meeting: https://www.westsiderag.com/2022/07/19/the-fate-of-west-park-presbyterian-church-remains-uncertain
NYC LPC's virtual meeting can be live-streamed on YouTube:
Sign the petition and share it widely:
Change.org petition: For those who agree this beautiful historic building should not be demolished and replaced with a modern high-rise for luxury condos, please sign the petition launched by the Center at West Park, the non-profit community performing arts center based in the landmark church space.
- Submitted by Melissa Elstein, West 80s Neighborhood Association
West 95th Street Block Association
Congratulations to the West 95th Street BA for a very successful Coffee At the Curb and Clean Up in June. Danielle Tandet is spearheading this new group. Their meetings are the 1st Tuesday of every month except July and August. All are welcome!
- Submitted by Dale Brown, Vice President and Chair of the Membership Committee, UWS Coalition
STOP THE CHOP NY/NJ
This summer come and join us at numerous flyering opportunities!! Meet and bond with other volunteers who also want a ban on non essential helicopters over NYC!! See below for our volunteer sign up form for July events. Come join with others in our effort to create a more livable, peaceful and healthier NYC with a ban of nonessential helicopters.
***** Click on the following link to go to the Volunteers Signup Sheet.
- Submitted by Melissa Elstein, STOP THE CHOP NY/NJ
West Side Community Garden
The West Side Community Garden is hosting several culture events at its location on 123 West 89th St (between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) throughout the summer, including the Family Shakespeare Festival, An Evening of 10-Minutes Plays by The Greenhouse Ensemble, and Annual Movie Night. All our events are free and open to the general public. Join us! For more information about these events, check our website.
The West Side Community Garden is a lush passageway between 89th and 90th streets; an oasis from city life for those passing through the neighborhood. The garden is maintained by a volunteer crew dedicated to ensuring that all neighbors – residents, local schools and social service providers – can take advantage of the special events and activities planned at our fabulous location.
For more information about West Side Community Garden, contact Judy Robinson, President, judyrobn@yahoo.com
- Submitted by The West Side Community Garden, Publicity Committee
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UWS COALITION UPDATE
A MESSAGE FROM THE UWS COALITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dear Neighbors,
The Upper West Side Coalition of Block Associations and Community Groups is all about supporting efforts to strengthen existing groups, assisting neighbors seeking to start new community organizations, offering information focused on issues that impact all who live on the UWS, and connecting citizens to local and state leaders. We express heartfelt appreciation to everyone who joined together to create and develop this group since it was launched last year.
The response to our monthly online forums has been incredible, with hundreds of households watching, sharing different perspectives, and posing questions about controversial subjects, including crime prevention, housing, retail cannabis, and more. We also are currently helping neighbors seeking to start local block associations, with a couple nearly ready to launch. This is who we are, what we want to be, and what we plan to continue doing.
Creating a new community organization on the Upper West Side was never going to be easy. We are different from each other in so many ways – seniors and young families; essential workers valiantly working throughout the pandemic and virtual employees at home; renters, apartment owners, subletters, and roommates; all with racial, ethnic, faith, and financial differences that inform varying perspectives. The conversation will almost always be vigorous in such an environment. However, our commitment to the goals of the Coalition should always transcend any differences that arise which can be resolved with mutual respect and a willingness to find common ground.
We strongly believe that respectful dialogue is essential to building connections in this community that we cherish, and are dedicated to doing all that is necessary to preserve and improve it. In that spirit, we look forward to joining together to address the challenges that we face.
The Board of Directors,
Upper West Side Coalition of Block Associations & Community Groups
Steve Anderson, President
Aron Berlinger, Assistant Treasurer
Neil Berson, Director
Dale Brown, Vice President
Liz DeVito, Secretary
Gary Pelton, Treasurer
Summer Break
We’re taking a break, and there will be no forums in July and August. We will be back in September with a timely forum on UWS Sanitation. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 6:30 PM.
Cannabis Forum Replay
We had a great forum on Wednesday, June 22, about licensed cannabis retailing soon to be happening on the Upper West Side, joined by representatives from the NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. Pascale Bernard, OCM's deputy director of inter-governmental relations, and Philip Rumsey, manager of inter-governmental outreach, gave a detailed presentation on how last year’s Marijuana Revenue and Taxation Act (MRTA) seeks to achieve social justice, economic development, and public safety. When asked how law enforcement is dealing with illegal sales happening right now at many UWS locations, Estelle Strykers-Santiago of the District Attorney’s office advised that they are working with all NYPD precincts and coordinating with the special narcotics prosecutor’s office to address this issue. Meanwhile, OCM issued cease-and-desist letters on July 7 to 52 unlicensed merchants who are illegally peddling marijuana in NYC. Follow these links to view the forum on YouTube and download the OCM presentation.
Volunteer Opportunities with the UWS Coalition
The Coalition welcomes your support as we engage on the issues that are vital to the UWS. We are currently seeking volunteers to help with the following activities:
- Membership services, including serving as ambassadors or mentors for prospective members and creating and designing membership incentive programs
- Technical support for producing monthly meetings and forums using Zoom and YouTube
- Writing and editorial expertise for producing the newsletter
- Technical support for producing the monthly newsletter using Mail Chimp
If you would like to know more about these roles and responsibilities, please contact us at upperwestsidecoalition@gmail.com.
September Newsletter
The deadline for submitting news about your block association or community group for the September 2022 newsletter is Friday, September 9. We welcome submissions about your group’s meeting schedule, social activities, and advocacy work, which you can send to us at upperwestsidecoalition@gmail.com.
Contact the Coalition
- Be sure to visit our website to view archived recordings of our previous forums and newsletters. The forums are also archived on the Coalition’s YouTube channel.
- We welcome suggested topics for UWS Coalition forums. Send your ideas to upperwestsidecoalition@gmail.com
- If you were sent this newsletter by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy here.
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LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS NEWS
Primary Election Day is August 23
This is a reminder that a primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2022, with early voting from August 13th to August 21st. In this primary, you will be voting for your preferred candidate for the US House of Representatives and NY State Senate.
Upper West Side districts were redrawn this year and there may be a competitive race for one or both offices in your district. Use the NY State Board of Elections’ voter lookup tool to see if this applies to you and to locate your polling site: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/.
Shaun Abreu, City Councilmember for District 7
Shaun Abreu is one of four City Council members sponsoring a bill to reduce the rat population in NYC. The Rat Action Plan seeks to establish rat mitigation zones, require large building owners to use and maintain rodent-proof trash bins, and require developers to present rodent mitigation plans along with their blueprints for major construction projects. Abreu told AMNY.com on July 14, “The City Council has already taken significant steps to restore rat mitigation funding and litter basket service in the recent City budget. Now, with the Rat Action Plan, we’re doubling down on our commitment to a rat-free NYC.”
Gale Brewer, City Councilmember for District 6
Gale Brewer’s office released the results of a survey conducted in April that shows the vast majority of fast-delivery groceries and mini-warehouses don’t accept cash, even though some also function like traditional groceries. These “dark stores” violate the 2020 ban against cashless businesses, posing a threat to street-level commerce while isolating consumers who operate on a cash-only basis. In a July 9 press release, Brewer said, “The city is failing to regulate this growing industry, one that is backed by venture capital and has been hyped in national media as the future of post-pandemic commerce.”
Gale Brewer is also sponsoring two petitions to save the Upper West Side’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument (click here to sign) and West Park Presbyterian Church (click here for more information).
COVID Updates
Please read the latest Covid-19 guidance from the NYC Dept of Health here. Learn more about vaccines here and here. Learn more oral antiviral pills here; and here is NYC's Covid Alert Level Page.
Reduced Fare MetroCard for Seniors
For the first time ever, seniors and people with qualifying disabilities can apply online for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Click here to apply.
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UWS COMMUNITY NEWS
UWS Farmers Markets
There are three main Farmer's Markets held in our District on a weekly basis. All offer composting services with one also providing textiles recycling services.
- 77th/79th Street Greenmarket
Columbus Avenue & West 77th St
Near the American Museum of Natural History
(212) 788-7900
Open 9:00 AM, Sunday
Composting available and NOW OFFERING TEXTILE RECYCLING
- 97th Street Greenmarket
97th St & Columbus Ave & Amsterdam Ave.
(212) 788-7900
Open 8:00 AM, Friday
Composting Available
- Tucker Square Greenmarket
West 66th St & Broadway In Richard Tucker Park
(212) 788-7900
Open 8:00 AM, Thursday
Composting Available
Please call the Mayor’s office and your City Council member to let them know you support composting in NYC and use the following letter to let them know you support composting in NYC! Go to Save Composting in NYC for contact information and to learn more.
DSNY News - Curbside Composting
Curbside composting is voluntary, and residents must sign up. Click here to sign up and learn more. The food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste collected by the City will be turned into compost or renewable energy. For more curbside composting information or to sign up for service You can also visit or call 311.
UWS Crime Statistics
NYPD provides weekly reports of crime-related statistics in seven major crime categories on the citywide, borough, and precinct levels. These links will direct you to the local precinct's home page where you will find another link to download the current week's crime statistics report as a PDF or Excel file.
Build the Block Neighborhood Safety Meetings
Build the Block meetings are strategy sessions between local police officers and the people they serve. The meetings have two simple goals: identify the public safety challenges of a specific neighborhood and discuss potential solutions. Check out this link to more information about NYPD Build the Block meetings. By clicking on the precinct you can find contact information for the officers that patrol each sector.
Community Board 7 Updates
Recordings of CB7 meetings can be viewed at the CB7 YouTube Channel
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Newsletter compiled by Dee Rieber and Liz DeVito. You can now find the Monthly Newsletters archived on the UWS Coalition website!
Please send submissions for the September Newsletter by Friday, September 9th.
Thank you for participating!
You can learn more about UWS Coalition and follow us on the web and twitter.
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