By Jacob Passy
City officials and Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal tried to answer a series of questions and complaints from Upper West Siders at a town hall meeting on Wednesday night at John Jay College.
Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal touched upon a number of issues of general concern to the community to voice her opinion before the evening’s two-part question-and-answer period started. Among them were issues related to schools, including securing more pre-K options and getting everything set for the opening of the middle school at the Beacon High School location. She also mentioned transportation issues, such as her opposition to horse-drawn carriages, and problems related to the 95th Street homeless shelter.
To start the actual “town hall” portion of the evening, Rosenthal went through a slideshow of questions, which had been submitted prior to the event. She said that her staff worked to combine similar questions to expedite the meeting. Some of the questions included:
- A question about rate increases for public utilities throughout the district. The representative from Con-Edison said that this was due to a nationwide price hike for natural gas as a result of the cold winter. He said if residents still had issues to call the Con-Edison hotline.
- Another Con-Edison-related concern was about the potential for an explosion similar to what happened in East Harlem a month ago. He said that, beyond the public notifying them of possible gas leaks, they have a “Leakmobile” that drives around to check for gas.
- Residents near 72nd Street and Broadway submitted concerns about book vendors in the area and asked whether they were violating codes. An official from the Department of Consumer Affairs said that these vendors are not licensed, because of First Amendment protections. Otherwise, he said the needed to follow the same regulations as all vendors. An officer from NYPD added that if the people in question did violate these regulations, frequent follow-up would be needed to get them out of the area.
- A number of complaints had been filed to the Councilwoman’s office pertaining to issues with the new K-Connect system of kindergarten enrollment and long waiting lists at PS 199, PS 75 and PS 87. An assistant to the schools chancellor said that the Department of Education was waiting for the current admissions season to end before re-evaluating the program.
- A question directed to the representative from the Department of Sanitation asked whether tenants can participate in the composting program starting in the UWS even if their building declines to participate. He said that this was not possible, adding that those who wish to still compost can bring their materials to any of the city’s green markets.
After the initial portion, Councilwoman Rosenthal opened the floor to people in attendance to ask questions. This portion of the evening had to be cut short due to time constraints, but the councilwoman said concerns could be directed to her office. Overall, most questions were met with general answers, with the phrase “We’ll look into it,” becoming a common theme. Some of the complaints that came up were:
- One resident complained about unsanitary conditions in the gutters and sidewalk outside a Westside Market location. The representative from the Department of Sanitation asked her to provide him the address after the meeting, saying he would send a crew to inspect the location and determine the proper recourse.
- A resident at 315 W. 103rd St. was concerned about the plans for construction near the property, which he said was illegal given that it was affecting residents of the building. The Department of Buildings representative replied that there’s currently a stop-work order for the construction, since final blueprints were never provided.
- Another resident mentioned the lack of bus stops for the M104 bus between 75th Street and 79th Street, which had been removed to make way for construction scaffolding. An MTA official said restoring the stops depended on coordination with the Department of Transportation, since they are the ones who install the poles. He added, though, that a request to do this had already been filed.
- Concerned residents also criticized the City Council’s recommendation for a large residential development planned for 57th Street, citing a lack of impact surveys and the potentially huge population increase it could cause. Rosenthal said she is moving to put working-groups together to study the issue, saying the building would probably lead to another school being needed in the area. The Department of Buildings official said that locals would need to get the property rezoned to stop the development from moving forward.
- A local artisan voiced his frustration at the possible shut-down of the Crafts on Columbus weekend arts fair. Rosenthal responded that she is an avid supporter and patron of the fair and that she is working to ensure it continues.
At the end of the evening, Rosenthal and other agency officials stayed after in the lobby to answer people’s questions one-on-one and collect information on issues that arose during the meeting.
This is just a sample of the complaints that came up this evening. If there’s anything you think we should have included, be sure to reference it in the comments below.
A valuable and comprehensive report. Way to go, Rag and reporter Jacob Passy. I can’t get this from NYTimes.
Nobody asked about why the new Chase bank is allowed despite the limit on storefront sizes?
Also, I live at 72nd & Broadway and am bummed to hear that my neighbors are trying to uproot the book vendors. They are obviously underprivileged people and are just trying to make an honest dollar selling literature. And to be honest, I like having them there – adds character and sometimes I pick up a book or some vinyl.
Sadly not true about composting…unless something has recently changed the Friday morning 97th St greenmarket won’t accept compost materials, despite many requests to do so. Columbia greenmarket does, however.
97th St Greenmarket will start accepting compost in mid-June!
I live near 72 and Broadway. When I walk on the west side of Broadway, I don’t feel I live in what is now a very nice, upscale area. I have lived in the area for more than 25 years.
The book sellers put arrange their stuff in a rather helter-skelter way, often on sagging tables and on the sidewalk, making for a very messy, cluttered scene. One or more of them of them often play very loud music which I bet is not liked by most persons having to pass their book “stalls.”
Last summer one of them found a mattress somewhere and put it near the Chase bank so he could sleep there. Another person found a discarded chair in bad condition and also put in near the Chase bank and plunked a large radio next to it so he could listen to his music while sitting.
I am sure I and many others would like to know what can be done legally to get them to clean up their act (i.e. no sleeping, no radio playing etc.) or get them to move out of the area.
You should consider doing a story about this subject and also doing updates. I’d like to know what types of information the police need to take action to clean up the situation.
Gosh, I really like the booksellers. I like walking by and checking out the art they’re selling, mulling over reading some book on the table, bringing them books that I’m done with to resell, keeping my eyes peeled for a $2 copy of a Sue Grafton mystery. I like walking by and hearing Billie Jean or Boys of Summer on their radio, and walking to the beat. Ever since Barnes & Noble closed out of Lincoln Center three years ago, I think the UWS needs more booksellers, not less. I definitely don’t want our cops to chase them away.
They aren’t doing any harm, and there have always been street vendors selling books on the Upper West Side. That is one of my favorite spots on Broadway. Always good stuff, not just junk. People are always friendly and I’m sorry they don’t look up to modern Upper West Side standards but they have never bother me. Lived here longer than 25 years too.
and another issue about the booksellers is they leave everything on the sidewalk all day and night. how is this in any way legal? i’m not against these guys trying to make a buck, but this is getting a bit out of control.
oh, and on the next block up, there’s a couple of guys selling everything, not just books, and it looks like a crappy yard sale. his junk is spilling out way beyond the table blocking the sidewalks. these 2 blocks need a serious enforcement of the existing laws.
Regarding the proposed 57th Street development. Vakid impact studies, please. As it is, the City’s infrastructure is ill equipped to deal with any more overcrowding. This neighborhood is turning to a rats-in-a-maze situation. In the middle of a weekday afternoon, we have people lined up northboud on Broadway, enduring the wait for a 104 bus. Sure, it’s great to be a Master Builder, but at what cost? The quality of life? What’s that worth?
The booksellers are a blight. period.
Selling books once in a while on the street, sure thing. But this is a permanent encampment. and has been for years.
Never would be allowed on East 72nd Street.
As far as crys against additional development. Okay, but then you have to realize that will result in MORE expensive housing. If the supply is constrained and demand increases, the result is pressure on rents to escalate.
I did not attend this meeting, so I’m curious to hear from those of you who did. Based on this article, it sounds like a whole lot of nothing. She “touched upon issues of general concern.” “Most questions were met with general answers.” So was this meeting a show to pad her political resume or were there any substantial decisions made? Did anyone ask why her office is slow to answer constituent emails (which is a complaint I see regularly on this board)? I’m curious if there will be any follow up on the few action items (Did Sanitation actually check the unsanitary gutters?). So many questions…
In answer to question regarding Sanitation responding to complaint about filthy gutters and sidewalks in the vicinity of West Side Market and areas north of the 96th street station of the 1, 2, and 3, subway lines- the answer is a resounding NO!!! Rubbish on sidewalks, overflowing trash baskets on street corners (N/W corner of W 99th Street as example) filth in gutters, etc. remain as reported despit complaint in person to Sanitation Supervisor in the neighborhood several weeks ago and at meeting. I also have made several calls to 311 during the past year all to no avail.
My building, on W 95th, recently received superb constituent service from Helen Rosenthal. An illegal “scam” clothes recycling bin was placed on the sidewalk in front of the building (actually on city property — in front of a playground next to the building). I found out this morning that one of my neighbors called Rosenthal’s office and they were on the case immediately — the large bin was gone within a day.
i say it was a “scam” because it did not have the name of a legit charity on it… and outfits like the Salvation Army do not just place bins on the sidewalk w/o permission.
My neighbor who placed the call was extremely impressed with Rosenthal’s constituent service.
I love the booksellers. They aren’t bothering anyone. I’ve lived in the neiborhood since 1968. And have enjoyed looking through the books. I’d rather have them than the overcrowding and the garbage left behind from Fairway divery trucks! Now that block is disgusting and way overcrowded!
I love the booksellers. They aren’t bothering anyone. I’ve lived in the neihborhood since 1968. And have enjoyed looking through the books. I’d rather have them than the overcrowding and the garbage left behind from Fairway delivery trucks! Now that block is disgusting and way overcrowded!
HELICOPTER TRAFFIC HAS TAKEN OVER the skies. What is being done to stop the soul-wrenching roar of helicopters on the Upper West Side?
The atrocious education being forced upon the students stuck in ps 191 was also raised.
Only 16% (not a typo!) of the 3rd and 4th graders passed the state math exam, compared to a citywide average of 30%
Only 13% (again, not a typo, it really is this bad) of the 3rd and 4th graders passed the state English exam, compared to a citywide average of 26%.
46% of the teachers say that bullying is a problem in the school, compared to a citywide average of 20%.
Only 36% of the teachers claim that discipline is being maintained, compared to a citywide average of 80%.
Only 54% of the teachers would recommend the school, compared to a citywide average of 83%.
Only 52% of the teachers say the prinicpal is an effective manager, compared to a citywide average of 80%.
Source: https://insideschools.org/elementary/browse/school/134
Despite these apalling statistics, the DOE representative said, “The test scores may not reflect the learning that is occuring in the school.”
It is hard to imagine hidden learning in an environment where discipline and bullying is so high, and so many teachers have lost faith in their leadership and would not recommend the school.
This is a moral travesty, and our civic leaders should be ashamed of themselves.
Test scores and the comment by the panel member all speak for themselves- Atrocious!!! And perhaps equally atrocious is the fact that because I cannot climb six flights of stairs, my offer to tutor any number of middle or high school students in anything other than science or math was declined. I am a published author; I hold an earned doctorate in education from Teachers College Columbia University; I am a professional editor. These facts speak for themselves.
If the bookseller street vendors along Broadway from 72nd to 74th Steets (along the Alexandria condo, the Rutgers Church, Chase Bank and the Ansonia residential building) were provided with nice “street furniture” as their display stalls, perhaps this 2 block stretch would not look so shabby…especially after closing when their low-end tables are covered in eye-sore blue tarp. Why not bring Broadway to its Parisian Boulevard grandeur the way it was historically intended?How do we allow a crummy looking and dirty stretch of public sidewalk space that often leaves debris in our precious tree pits? How should it be permissible that some vendors (and elected representatives) allow hurting trees when tree pits become garbage bins and our sidewalks become cluttered and shabby?