Dear Neighbors,

I'm pleased to report to you about three important district convenings that have taken place over the last week.

Small Business Town Hall
Over the past decades we have all seen the increased number of vacant storefronts dotting the Upper West Side and other neighborhoods. Several of our neighbors have joined together, forming UWS Save Our Stores. Last week, they partnered with the New York Society for Ethical Culture to host a forum with local elected officials to discuss the loss of our independently owned retail stores. There was standing room only.

We were joined by some of our local business owners, including The Town Shop and West Side Kids. Everyone is looking for answers to the challenges faced by our small businesses. In truth, there is no simple road map.

There are myriad reasons why local businesses are moving, or closing down altogether. Rents of course have been an issue, as have building demolitions, lack of succession planning for aging business owners, and the growing impact of on-line commerce.  

I’ve spoken with many small businesses owners and their stories are the same: they are struggling and need help. Uniformly, owners want “to do right by their workers” by paying minimum wage, tip credit, paid sick leave, workers compensation, etc. But the additional burdens of bureaucratic red-tape are overwhelming. If we want them to succeed, the first thing to do is cut government red tape-- something that the Comptroller’s report lays out clearly.

     

Two years ago, Council Member Dan Garodnick and I successfully fought to exempt Manhattan businesses paying less than $500,000 in annual rent from the Commercial Rent Tax. This summer, the Council passed my “Storefront Tracker” legislation, which will generate an online, searchable database with the occupancy status of every commercial storefront and 2nd floor space in the five boroughs. For the first time, we will have comprehensive data on both current vacancies and commercial strips at risk -- critical to developing an effective response.

Investing in our small businesses makes eminent good sense. They remain a meaningful economic engine for the entire city-- employing over 600,000 New Yorkers in 50,000+ retail shops and restaurants alone. Small businesses are an economic multiplier, recirculating their revenues within our local economy. They are a crucial vehicle for entrepreneurship, provide critical neighborhood services and culturally-relevant retail, and are a vital part of the cultural dynamism that makes New York a global center. 

West Side Tenants Conference
It was an honor for my staff and I to participate in the 12th Annual West Side Tenants Conference last weekend. This one day event is an incredible resource for New Yorkers, covering everything from how to find affordable housing, to understanding zoning, to small business sustainability.

      

THANK YOU to everyone at Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. for your ongoing dedication and service to the residents of the West Side of Manhattan.

Public Safety on the Upper West Side
Last week I also met with several representatives of  "New Yorkers for Safe Streets," a relatively new organization made up of local residents. We spent over two hours discussing neighborhood concerns around street safety, homelessness, and general quality of life issues. As a long-time resident, I share these concerns.

During our discussion we reviewed a number of initiatives that my office, the NYPD, and other branches of city government are and can continue working on together, to keep everyone in our community safe. I look forward to our ongoing work together. 

NEWS FROM CITY HALL

Please be advised that the December 18th City Council hearing on NYCHA’s Winter Preparedness has been cancelled -- we will alert you as soon as a future hearing date has been set.  



Under my leadership, the Committee on Women & Gender Equity will conduct two oversight hearings next week.

• The City of New York's compliance with the 2019 Pay Equity Law (with the Committee on Civil Service & Labor)
• Tuesday, Dec 17th, 1pm. Location: Committee Room, City Hall

• The availability of affordable childcare for student parents throughout the CUNY system (with the Committee on Higher Education)
• Wednesday, Dec 18th, 1pm. Location: City College of New York, Shepard Hall, Room 250 -- 160 Convent Avenue at 138th Street