<< Back
Consents & Variances
NEWSSTAND APPLICATION # 1415692, SOUTH EAST CORNER OF AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS AND WEST 55TH STREET
WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a newsstand on the South East corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street; and
WHEREAS, The South East corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street is the site where a Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture is installed within an amenity plaza in the property lines of 1350 Avenue of the Americas; and
WHEREAS, The presence of this newsstand would impede the sightlines and accessibility to the popular Robert Indiana sculpture; and
WHEREAS, Pedestrian traffic on both Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street is extremely heavy, and in addition the LOVE sculpture receives visitors and sightseers who congregate to both admire this work of art and take photographs; and
WHEREAS, The Design Commission has previously turned down applications for a newsstand at this exact location; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has proposed that their newsstand would measure 12'-0" wide x 6'-0" deep x 9'-0" high, which would be the largest size newsstand that Cemusa produces, and would include advertisement panels on its external walls; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be installed to the north of the unenclosed bus stop for the M5/M7 lines, and to the south of QM1/QM5/QM6 lines, which has a Cemusa shelter that includes advertisement panels on one external and one internal wall; and
WHEREAS, Members of Community board Five feel that this additional intrusion between the two bus stops would impede foot traffic attempting to board these very busy bus lines; and
WHEREAS, There are existing newsstands in the vicinity, the nearest being across the street at the North West corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street as well as many 'brick and mortar' vendors in the area who sell similar items; and
WHEREAS, According to the sketches provided by the applicant, the proposed newsstand would be 17'-0' south of an existing street light, 11'-6' north of an existing fire hydrant, and 13'-0" west of 1350 Avenue of the Americas property line; and
WHEREAS, Manhattan Community Board Five feels that the addition of a sidewalk structure at this location would create negative impact upon the already heavy pedestrian traffic; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Manhattan Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install a newsstand on the South East corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Manhattan Community Board Five urges the New York City Department of Transportation to proceed with the pedestrian counts at this location during rush hour (5 PM - 6 PM) on a weekday.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.