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By Jonathan Custodio and Stephon Johnson, The City
This article was originally published on by THE CITY
Two more charging and rest stations are on order for food delivery workers, with a site on the Upper West Side and another in The Bronx now in the queue in addition to a City Hall Park hub already announced last year.
A city panel is weighing a Parks Department request to use locations at Verdi Square at West 72nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan and the other in Rose Hill Park in The Bronx, in front of Fordham University and a Metro-North station.
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Sen. Chuck Schumer and Mayor Eric Adams announced the City Hall site in October, promising to convert vacant newsstands into havens the city’s estimated 65,000 deliveristas could use to charge their e-bikes and cell phones, with the help of $1 million that the Senate majority leader carved out of an omnibus spending package.
The city would, in effect, be providing resources that delivery apps such as DoorDash and GrubHub, which consider delivery workers to be “independent contactors,” have not. And they would provide outdoor charging at a time when many universities and private buildings are banning ebikes, whose batteries have been the cause of an increasing number of fires since the City Council legalized their use in 2020.
The sites would be operated and maintained by Third Sector New England, Inc. on behalf of the Worker’s Justice Project, an advocacy group for low-wage immigrant workers, under a no-bid contract.
“This is about how we can actually repurpose U.S. public spaces be able to create much needed infrastructure for 65,000 delivery stars, who do not have access to the resources they need to be able to do this work,” Worker’s Justice Project executive director Ligia Guallpa told THE CITY, stressing that the pilot project remains in development.
“We haven’t been granted the use of the spaces yet,” Guallpa noted, with a vote to come next Tuesday before any contract could be granted. “It’s still being developed and being discussed with the city agencies.”
Loss Leader
The city decided to forgo a competitive proposal process since the hubs aren’t intended to generate revenue according to Parks’ notice to the city Franchise and Concession Review Committee, which will holding the vote.
“The Street Deliveristas Hub pilot program will be the first-of-its-kind in the nation for app-based food delivery workers — an exploding workforce in the post-pandemic economy,” reads the proposal to the committee, “providing workers a place to rest and shelter from the elements, as well as a place to reach numerous services for this mobile workforce. Hubs will also help keep streets and sidewalks clear for pedestrians and revitalize unused existing public infrastructure, like newsstands.”
Manhattan Community Board 7 had been aware of the hub plan, according to Upper West Side Councilmember Gale Brewer, who noted that other community groups were only just learning about the plan from her.
“Community Board 7 does know about it,” Brewer said, noting its transportation committee will be discussing the issue later this month and “that’s important so that the public can weigh in.”
But other local groups, said Brewer, including the 72nd Street Block Association and Landmarks West, had not been aware of the project until she told them about it and “need to be notified by the city” and have a chance to weigh in.
“The concept is a good one [but] nothing has passed yet,” said Brewer. “I’m a big supporter of charging stations for the bikes and for the delivery people. I would like to have input from the community because they may have ideas about how it could be best done.”
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When name checking community groups that need to be consulted, why does Landmark West get mentioned and groups representing local delivery workers, the people who will actually use the shelters, do not? CB7 has a history of soliciting the community input of people who can take four hours out of their Wednesday evening to sit in a church basement and ignoring people who work during those hours (see the discussion about whether workers should be allowed to use restaurant bathrooms that landed us national news coverage).
I’m the first person to criticize Landmarks West for even existing. But in fairness Landmark West, the 72nd Street Block Association, CB7 and Rosenthal and Brewer represent taxpaying residents on the block.
The delivery guys pay taxes too.
That’s nice but GET THEM OFF THE SIDEWALKS!!!
A motorcycle has two wheels and a motor – It doesn’t make any difference if its gasoline or electric – It’s a motorcycle and had no business on out sidewalks
The other day, I walked out of the side street exit of a movie theater and almost got hit. Heard a bell and WHOOSH! goes a bike—in the dark—on the sidewalk. Sick of it.
These underpaid delivery workers need this badly. They also need toilets and garbage
cans after using the rest stations. We on the west side have fewer and fewer public refuse containers. The conditions that they work under are terrible in inclement weather. And they feed all of the upper west side. So I am a yes for this. Thank you.
Maude Geller
Why the laser focus on just bicycle delivery people to the exclusion of many others who need restroom facilities, too? There are plenty of others who need toilets. I’m fortunate enough to often be able to walk into a restaurant and get permission to use their facilities but many aren’t. But why should I have to rely on the kindness of businesses to take care of my needs. This mindset of elevating the people who ‘feed all of the UWS’ above others is too simplistic. I also wouldn’t refer to them as underpaid – they earn what the market can bear for the skills they have.
Boris, the laser focus on bicycle delivery people is because that was the subject of the article. Yes, NYC needs public toilets like Paris has. I might add that some of the delivery companies like UBER do not faithfully pay their workers what they claim that they do. They cheat. And the delivery people have no legs to stand on so they keep their mouths shut. It would be great to have an expose written about this but the workers cannot risk being open about the fraud only to then lose a job.
Thanks for you comment. I agree about public toilets. Maude Geller
Maude,
While I took have sympathy for these exploited delivery workers, they don’t “feed all of the upper west side.”
They “feed” people who can afford/get food delivery.
Many people, including my family, do not order food delivery.
What is the benefit to us to having our public spaces taken over by groups of food delivery people?
They are members of the public too. Giving them a place to stay out of the elements while they do their jobs is basic decency.
Why should tax dollars go toward giving them a place to stay while they do their jobs? Isn’t that a business’ responsibility? I can think of many other workers who would like that convenience. Are we going to give Amazon UPS, FedEx workers/drivers the same facilities at the taxpayers’ expense on public property that should be available to all?
Oh wonderful – another spot for people to actively loiter, smoke weed, leave trash around, blast Bluetooth speakers. This sounds like a GREAT idea. How bout turn this “shuttered new stand” back into a coffee stand/cafe. Wasn’t this the LPQ pre COVID?
So glad I have neighbors I agree with— I’m on 72 rsd and I agree— this square needs to be cleaned up for our community. More police— a girl was almost raped at that station last week…. We need more police plants and cameras
I would like to disagree with you. Most of the delivery people are from dangerous or terrorist countries. Some have professional degrees and have not been able to get other jobs here because of a language barrier and other bureaucratic problems. I tutor English to non-native speakers. Some of my students work for Uber and other food delivery companies in NYC . They were professionals in their countries of origin. One of my students is from my Mali in west Africa where he has a masters degree and was a professional. Here, he works delivering food. He does not “loiter, some weed, leave trash or blast Bluetooth speakers. This is a horrible stereotype of some other group of people. He is a law abiding soon to be citizen who will make a great contribution to the American dream. Please realize how difficult life is for these immigrants and New York has to help these very hard workers who by the way are horribly underpaid. These people are like my grandparents who came to this country in the early 1900’s.
Yes this city and the Upper West Side which I have lived in since 1981 has the issues that you mention. But realize what group of people you are badmouthing, people who have to send home money on there meager salaries to their families who have not yet been allowed to come here.
And perhaps this is not the best location….quite frankly, it is rather small. I hope UWS72er that you hear what I am saying. Thanks for listening and Happy New Year.
Maude Geller
Re: “another spot for people to actively loiter, smoke weed, leave trash around, blast Bluetooth speakers. ”
“Deliveristas” will loiter/smoke weed? REALLY? These people are WORKING! They have little time to loiter, because they are judged by how fast they deliver our orders, and their “tips” depend on how fast they deliver.
Plus, if one shows up weed-intoxicated at his restaurant employer, chances are he’d be fired.
Agreed! Not to say it never happens, but I’ve never seen a delivery person smoking weed or loitering. They’re always hustling off to the next delivery! Since they have no place to take an official break from work, I suppose taking a break on a sidewalk could look to some like loitering, but it’s not the same. They need a break from work just like anyone else. I used to deliver pizza and wait tables… if I sat around and “loitered and smoked weed” instead of delivering orders or waiting on people, I wouldn’t have been able to make any money.
I will say I’m sick of almost getting hit in crosswalks by delivery people on a regular basis and I really believe there need to be repercussions for red light runners, but that’s a separate issue. Glad to see they’re getting support.
Seen an Amazon delivery guy sparking up while on the job.
Restaurants oft don’t employ these guys. And there’s no UberEats/GrubHub field management.
A worthwhile project for all concerned however, many of those concerned are users of Verdi Park as a spot to sit, rest and transit to other places.
i think the (unmaintained) park at the other end of the bow tie intersection would be more suitable—with nearby coffee spots—especially if given a facelift, including seating and tables for the ‘deliveristas’. Greater legitimate use of that space might also have a calming effect on other users who sometimes act out inappropriately.
Good idea. Also, please license the drivers. This will create more administration, increase accountability, increase wages/revenue.
Bloomberg did this with the Central Park bike taxis and it worked great,
Why is the city and taxes paying for this? The delivery companies and apps should be paying to take care of their own workers.
100% agree! these are not employees of restaurants!, these are not employees of restaurants These are well capitalizedthese are well funded venture capital businesses! Why should my taxes pay for this? Same thing with Amazon drivers.
I think there are many, many factors to consider here. While I actually own an ebike and feel they are safe if maintained properly, locations like this would be concerning to me. Basically, ebikes need to use batteries supplied by, or authorized by, the manufacturer. The same goes for the charger. From what I’ve read, many ebike delivery bikes do not follow that practice, which leads to increased chances for a battery issue. If that is the case, several ebikes in a small enclosed space could lead to a problem. Ebike delivery people have become an important part of life in the city, and with their increasing numbers, I’m glad to see the city is looking into a way to accommodate this service.
Do you own a throttle e-bike or an e-assist bike. There’s a significant difference. The former are incredibly dangerous to pedestrians because they can be silently accelerated by the driver.
Correct, battery fires are an issue with both types if good batteries/chargers aren’t used.
Yes, mine is pedal assist, and I’m aware of your concern over throttle only bikes. Your point is valid. I was only pointing out one issue (albeit a big safety concern) in this proposal. There are lots of things to consider in the over all plan. I realize people are really going to fight this, but it would be nice to see the people who are hardworking have some consideration in their work life. Since they’re considered “independent contractors” , they have a tough go of it. I’ve been self-employed my entire career and it can be tough with no support or benefits………..I’m just sayin’
I will need to up my game even more re: as a pedestrian negotiating that intersection with 21st century modes of transport
Why should we give up park space? These guys do NOT have a good reputation for consideration of pedestrians when they gather in stationary groups to await the next delivery assignment. They narrow confined spaces under construction sheds, and when arriving/departing they usually drive on the sidewalks, which is illegal to begin with, as if only they and their destination matters.
Want Verdi Square Park and the plaza around the north subway block house to look like the plaza outside McDonald’s and Little Italy Pizza at West 71st and Amsterdam, then this is a “great” idea.
Can’t we make the delivery apps pay for this as a condition of doing business in the City. They can factor it into their prices so that City taxpayers don’t have to subsidize our deliveries. Also, we all need to tip these guys well until the apps start paying them a living wage!
There’s barely a bike line leading to this park. It’s an intersection with an enormous amount of pedestrian, bus and subway-entrance traffic.
I can’t think of a worse place to put it. The block-long CitiBike station at 72nd and Columbus seems like a better idea.
I think the most pressing thing that is needed is a public bathroom.
Not the best place for a commercial dumping ground. It’s already a congested and crowded area for commuters and park users, and I hope it won’t be made a total mess and an eyesore with even more trash for the vermin. It is still a park, not a place of business. Why don’t they convert one of the myriads of empty retail spaces around here for their use? It would be far safer and better for everyone. Clean Streets – not Mean Streets, please!
Given the recent fires caused by ebikes I don’t think anyone wants thr unused retain space under their apartment to be used as an ebike delivery person waiting and charging station.
Have much sympathy for hard-working and exploited delivery workers.
But this initiave should be funded by apps, restaurants and people who order food.
Not OK that many restaurants have gotten free street sheds – and now more public space given to support restaurant business.
Public “parklet” space should not be given for this.
Suggestion: use space in front of Michael Bloomberg’s East Side brownstones.
This should be situated on the north side of 62nd Street, at the southern edge of Lincoln Center /Damrosch Park.
The sidewalk is almost always empty – there is plenty of space on the sidewalk to build a structure.
I’d *love* to see a public rest station– garbage cans, clean restrooms, charging station– for our hard working delivery people. I’m not sure this is the best spot though. I wonder if there is anyway to actually put this on the corner of W. 71st and Amsterdam? That corner could use some purposeful public investment.
I agree, that corner seems like a much better, more open spot, with easier access. The sidewalk there is huge.
If this proposal happens, then maybe delivery services as well as stores that use delivery workers should simply pay a special tax to cover maintenance, electricity, etc..
I do wonder what would prevent non-delivery people from using these facilities.
BTW people doing last mile delivery for Amazon are gig workers – and also lack access to bathrooms.
I think you mean the people who take over a street, set up barriers, and run per diem distribution operations on our public streets – undercutting our local stores – also lack access to bathrooms.
Perhaps Amazon can rent spaces for them? I don’t know about you but I’ve heard tell it’s a very big and profitable operation. So the idea that we should reward the usurpation of public space with more free space and a public expenditure? I don’t see that that’s such a great idea.
I agree no free space for corporations – but in this case the Amazon delivery people are gig workers working for a delivery contractor and not treated well.
BTW not publicized but DOT and Mark Levine seeking to establish space for ecommerce delivery trucks. IMO this would provide unfair advantage to corporations over small local stores.
They’re “gig” workers working for a contractor because Amazon wants to save money and catering to this helps Amazon treat workers poorly.
Society should not be helping big businesses save money by giving them public space for free. And the fact that the business uses contractors is not relevant.
Having a hub right next to a major subway entrance is idiotic. Not that that will stop out elected figurines from doing it.
A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad location! I think Giuseppe Verdi would agree .
Who pays for the electricity?
Why do we need to provide charging stations for delivery people who decide to use electric bikes? Regular bikes worked well for decades so how & where they charge their bikes should not be our problem.
And highly flammable!
The actual shelter is fine. The problem is having ebikes going every single direction at 20 mph on surrounding sidewalks and the actual Verdi sq to access this location. Who needs to die before we re-evaluate that these vehicles need to be registered?
And yes I got hit by an ebike full force going the wrong way in October and hit my head on the pavement. If anyone wants to pitch in for my ER bill, let me know.
@Rachel, I am so sorry that happened to you.
Per above comment, there is space to build a structure on the sidewalk on 62nd next to Lincoln Center and Damrosch Park. There is plenty of space for charging and a bathroom. There is also a garage on the block so that would be useful.
Another place – the sidewalk on the north side of 58th (between 8th and 9th) by the Columbus Circle shops. The sidewalk is very wide. Also I believe there is a Blink charging station on the block.
Seems to me that the majority of the comments here are NOT in favor of this idea…… if you’re reading this Gale…
Hmm…thats not the feeling I came away with. I think most ppl commented that they are in support of giving our delivery guys a place to rest but it would be nice for the apps to kick in the cash…and some good alternate suggestions for locations.
Besides 58th Street by Shops at Columbus Circle and 62nd Street by Damrosch Park and Lincoln Center, other sites that have more room and should be considered:
58th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues
61st Street between CPW and Broadway
62nd Street between CPW and Broadway
64th Street between Amsterdam and West End
To put something like this in Verdi Square is ludicrous. I can’t believe any elected official would think this is the proper place. There will be e-bikes being driven all over the square with people trying to go to and from the subway. First injury will be within a month guaranteed.
There are groups that made this a nice park setting for people to relax and use as an outdoor area with tables and chairs and now you choose to make it a truck stop for e-bikes?
What else can these officials push onto the UWS to decline the quality of life? This SHOULD NOT BE HERE. Why ruin this resident park area for the RESIDENTS who live here and pay taxes? Fine idea but NOT HERE.
As a resident of this neighborhood— we think this could be better served by other communities. Verdi square already over crowded by the people who use the W72 subway. Please do not add more fear to our pedestrian focused communities.