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Budget, Education & City Services
FY 2020 Expense & Capital Budget Requests & District Needs
CAPITAL BUDGET REQUESTS
# | AGENCY | REQUEST
1. DHS: Provide upgrades to to the Bellevue Intake Center physical plant
2. DHS: Creation of one new safe haven
3. HPD: Housing for low and extremely low income households
4. HPD: Housing Subsidies for moderate income households
5. DHS: Increase and improve security and state of lockers at homeless shelters
6. DOE/SCA: Creation of appropriate outdoor play spaces at District 2 elementary schools, so that every students has the opportunity to experience safe and healthy play during the school day.
7. DOE: Fund ADA upgrades at District 2 schools to meet minimum requirements for compliance so that every student, regardless of ability, has access to an education
8. DOT: Sidewalk widening - Lex (40-59), Mad (40-59), 8th (34-49)PAS & 28th st, 8th Ave & 38th st.
9. DOT: Repair Streets - 20th Street, West 56th street between 5th and 6th avenue, pothole repair on 7th avenue between 12th and 14th street
10. NYCTA: Fix/Replace sidewalk grates on 8th Ave (40's)
11. DOT: Repair curbs and sidewalks on 8th Ave (30's and 40's) along with curb cuts on PAS middle island and 7th avenue at 24-27th streets
12. NYPD: Provide multiple traffic enforcement cameras on Park Ave South, 5th Ave, 6th Ave, and 7th Ave (14th-23rd) during the L train shutdown
13. NYCTA: Redesign/Construct more/wider stairs/passageways from 4/5/6 to 7 train platforms at 42nd-Grand Central station (this is not a pre-approved MTA East Midtown Transit project)
14. DHS: Locate site for and install self-cleaning public bathrooms
15. DOT: Installation of bike racks
16. DOT: Lighting: additional street lighting - West 30s from Bway to 8th Ave; replace cobra lamp light fixtures with bishops crook light fixtures in the Ladies Mile Historic District Side streets that are outside of BID jurisdiction
17. DOE: Fund technology upgrades at all District 2 schools to ensure that schools have adequate internet connectivity, and ensure that principals have the ability and authority to request repairs and upgrades as needed
18. DOT: Provide new SBS (select bus service) on 42nd Street
19. ACS: Renovate/expand/upgrade Juvenile detention Housing to implement Raise the Age policies
20. FDNY: Purchase 1 Grappler (exercise type machine as requested by NYPD)
21. LPC: Create a fund to assist landlords/building owners with repair of historic sidewalks in historic districts of CB5, including historic granite sidewalks and glass vaulted sidewalks
22. DOT: Install permanent materials and treatments for the Broadway pedestrian plazas in CB5
23. DOT: Redesign and construction of Herald/Greeley Sqs intersection for pedestrian, bikes, & vehicles
24. DOT: Bus Priority Traffic Lights - on 5th Avenue
25. DOT: More Bollards to protect sidewalks throughout Times Square, particularly 42nd from 7th-8th
26. DOT: Install traffic camera to address “block the box” traffic violations
27. DOT: Finish replacing existing street lights on Broadway (34th/42nd) with City Lights design
28. DOT: Purchase and Install Real Time bus signs at all bus stops on the avenues in CB5
29. NYCTA: Purchase more Electric Buses for use on all NYCTA bus routes through CB5 district
30. NYCTA: Repair leaks at #1 train 50th St station (constant leak on downtown platform and when it rains the leaks multiply all over the southern end of both platforms)
31. NYCTA: Mitigate the ponding of rain water at the mezzanine level at the bottom of the northernmost stair at 44th St and 8th Ave at the A/C/E 42nd-PABT station
32. NYCTA: Elevator access for 4/5/6 Trains at Union Square
33. DOHMH: Air Quality control - more sensors taking readings hourly for the NYC Community Air Survey for further data to help control pollutants and/or traffic congestion
34. Parks: Provision of additional trees on blocks outside of BID/tree guard replacement
35. DHS: Provide funding for additional mental health and substance abuse clinics within CB5.
36. DEP: Madison Square Park Drainage/decrease water pooling
37. DOE/SCA: Fund the creation of cluster rooms for STEAM - science, technology, arts and math at all District 2 elementary and middle schools
38. DSNY: Development of Textile and electronic Recycling programs
39. NYCEDC: Collaboratively install Public service announcements on vacant retail storefronts and the facades of sidewalk sheds.
40. DHS: Additional funding supportive housing for the formerly homeless
EXPENSE BUDGET REQUESTS
# | AGENCY | REQUEST
1. OMB: Additional unrestricted funding for CB offices
2. DOT: Congestion Pricing Study
3. NYPD: Traffic Enforcement Officers/Cameras to enforce traffic violations and infractions
4. DHS: Safety Initiatives at shelters
5. DOE: Fund a dedicated mental health professional for at every District 2 schools and ensure teaching staff are provided with training to recognize mental health issue and available resources
6. NYPD: Crossing Guards at Morton Street
7. Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination: Fund an system alternative to CEQR (City Environmental Quality Review) to adequate determine need for school seating/community needs on housing
8. NYPD: Evaluation programs and formalized review of crisis intervention training for mentally ill interactions
9. NYPL: Increase or maintain expense funding from FY19 so that all neighborhood and communities in our city have access to a library six days per week
10. HRA: Increase Funding for City FEPS (family eviction prevention subsidy) - housing vouchers for homeless families
11. NYPD: Traffic Enforcement Agents at 14th St and 6th Ave from 14-23
12. DOT: Develop Comprehensive Street Use Plan for Midtown for 5th & 6th Ave, 14-59
13. DOE: Fund increased seats in afterschool programs within District 2 elementary schools, specifically literacy and technology offerings through service providers like PENCIL, Children’s Aid Society and ExpandED
14. DHS: Increase training and employment services at the homeless shelters within CB5
15. DOT: Remove all non-working phone booths that are not working as well as phone booths that are sited next to new LINKS kiosks
16. LPC: Revamp LPC website to allow for easier access and transparency regarding status / applications
17. DOT: Vision Zero Funding - Specifically for high-visibility markings, pedestrian ramps, enlarged nubs at crosswalks and crossing signs
18. DOB: Additional personnel to enforce POPS violations
19. DOE: Fund, stabilize and prevent cuts to New York City’s subsidized system, called EarlyLearn NYC
20. DYCD: Fund increased outreach to runaways, homeless youth and LGBT teens
21. DOS/DEP: Increased garbage collection West 50s/ west 20’s
22. DOT: Remove bicycles that have been attached to rails at Herald Square and other plazas f
23. DEP: Development of program to highlight importance of recycling and zero waste
24. DHS: Perform study to analyze solutions to street homeless effect on businesses and public spaces within CB5.
25. DOE: Additional Social workers and guidance counsellors
District Overview
Manhattan Community Board Five (CB5) in the heart of Manhattan beats with the pulse of the City. With boundaries extending largely from Lexington to 8th Avenues and 14th to 59th Streets, CB5 is the City’s midtown central business district and the first and last impression of New York City for millions of commuters and tourists who pass through Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Herald Square, and Union Square every day. All but three subway lines traverse CB5, and with the Port Authority just outside our western border, the district is at the core of the City’s substantial pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Those who are not passing through CB5 are staying to experience the City’s largest business, tourist, entertainment and industrial landmarks including distinctive hotels, many of the world’s finest restaurants, major universities, the Broadway Theater District, the Museum of Modern Art, Radio City, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the Flatiron Building. The District generates substantial sales tax and other revenues for the City as it is home to world class shopping destinations such as Macy’s, Saks, Tiffany’s, and Nordstrom (to name but a few). Over half of the district is in a business improvement district and three of the City’s most intensely utilized parks -- Bryant, Madison Square, and Union Square -- are here. Although we have one of the smallest residential populations of any of the City’s 59 Community Boards, we are among the fastest growing. These extraordinary factors, and an alarming rise in the number of homeless individuals in and around the district, create unique and substantial budgetary needs and corresponding opportunities.
District Needs
The top three issues of concern within CB5 are homelessness, affordable housing and transportation. CB5 has seen an increased number of homeless individuals within the district; many are located on the many plazas within CB5 or near tourist attractions and destinations. BIDS, business owners and residents are concerned with this development and are interested in providing shelter for these individuals.
Stakeholders have expressed great interest in the provision and protection of affordable housing, not only for low and moderate-income families but also for middle class families in New York who are concerned with rising costs and increased construction.
Traffic congestion is another concern that has risen from increased construction. This concern has amplified by the looming L train shutdown and the perception of increasing unreliable public transportation. As the district continues to see additional hotels /tourism throughout the district, even pedestrian mobility has become a concern.
Health care and Human Services
The most pressing healthcare and human service issue within the district is the provision of services to reduce or prevent homelessness as CB 5 has seen a great increase in the number of homeless people. Access to health care and mental health, substance abuse treatment and prevention programs are important to stakeholders within CB5 particularly given the impact that these programs can have in assisting the homeless population.
Youth Education and Child Welfare
Schools and educational facilities are the most important Youth, Education and Child Welfare within the district. We have seen a proliferation of new construction within CB5 but no correlation in the number of school seats being provided. Indeed, CB5 believes that the SEQR system in use is currently outdated and requires reform to reflect adequately the number of school seats needed not only in this district but also throughout the City. Additionally, CB5 believes that funding of the schools within and just outside the district are underfunded in respect to after school programming, internet connectivity, ADA accessibility and mental health care for students, all things that stakeholders within the district have found to be of vital importance.
Public Safety and Emergency Services
Enforcement of violations is the number one public safety issue within CB5. Stakeholders have repeatedly noted that enforcement of violations are critically important. Traffic congestion is also another issue within the district and the lack of enforcement of idling, parking, biking violations and blocking the box simply adds to the congestion.
Core Infrastructure and City Services
Water runoff and flooding in many areas throughout CB5 has been identified, while trash collection, particularly in the West 50’s and West 20’s is also of concern. In its budget requests year on year, CB5 has identified with some granularity those areas where rainwater consistently pools and flooding occurs.
Our board has cited increasing tourism and pedestrian traffic in our district, which is home to Times, Harold and Greely Squares, Penn Station and other key tourist and commuter destinations as triggering the need for additional sanitation services. District residents and businesses continue to seek significant improvements in the frequency of corner trash pick-up. Additional litter baskets, recycling and composting bins would create considerable improvement.
Land Use, Housing and Economic Development
Affordable housing is one of the single most important issues identified by stakeholders within the district. Not only for low and moderate-income families, but increasingly have heard calls for middle class affordable housing programs. The enormous amount of construction within the district and the loss of small buildings owned by individual landlords has helped fuel the concern regarding this issue. The cost of housing vis-a-vis income and income inequality has also stoked interest in preserving and creating affordable housing programs.
Transportation and Mobility
Our district has immense transportation needs given the dense concentration of businesses and the presence of Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and many subway stations within or just outside our borders. Commercial and office spaces make up roughly 65% of the district, bringing hundreds of thousands of commuters into the district and leading to severe congestion. In addition, the impending L-Train shutdown is expected to further increase congestion across the 14th street area. Many stakeholders in CB5, along with advocates have stated their wish for a comprehensive congestion plan to address congestion concerns.
Accessible and safe public transportation is also extremely important given the large numbers of commuters, residents, and visitors in the district. MTA funding disputes between state and city officials continuously affect CB5, which is home to nine of the ten busiest subway stations (MTA Annual Ridership by Station Report). Furthermore, several highly frequented subway stations in CB5, such as the 4/5/6 at Union Square and S at Times Square, are not ADA compliant, limiting accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
In addition, our district has a high traffic flow with several complex intersections, which are in need of improved traffic safety as evidenced by high annual collision rates, poor pedestrian safety, and several conflicting traffic patterns. The district welcomes the newly created bike routes, but the safety of bikers, pedestrians, and drivers depends on active enforcement of regulations. Furthermore, several transportation authorities in CB5 would like to see increased road safety through projects such as replacing street lights and repairing sidewalks on 8th avenue."
Parks, Cultural and other Community Facilities
The issue of funding for the Community Board office has been of particular concern to CB5 and has been its number one budget request for the last two years. The participation of ordinary individuals in the processes that determine how we live in the city is vital, particularly in a time where increasingly such participation is being chipped away. Accordingly, CB5 believes that funding a Board office that can hire competitively and that can robustly handle stakeholder requests is of primary importance.