As the representative for the 73rd Assembly District and a third-generation East Sider, I am working every day to monitor and improve community issues affecting residents. I and my staff have read and responded to thousands of letters, e-mails, and phone calls on issues on pending legislation and community matters. I look forward to continuing to work with business improvement districts, cultural institutions, community leaders, and local residents to make the East Side an even better place to live. Listed below are some of the matters which have occupied my first eight years in office.
I have secured millions of dollars for neighborhood organizations, helping to both fund construction and renovation, as well as develop programs beneficial to East Side residents.
Throughout my time in the Assembly, I have obtained funding for our neighborhood’s landmark cultural institutions, area colleges, and smaller community organizations. A significant portion of these funds have helped institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Park Avenue Armory make significant infrastructure improvements. These centers of culture both provide a respite from the daily strain of New York life, and serve as a tremendous economic catalyst for the East Side and New York City. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been secured for renovations at the Guggenheim Museum, the Jewish Museum, LIM College, and the 92nd Street Y. I am also supportive of organizations trying to expand the availability of theater for residents and students on the East Side, such as Marymount Manhattan College and Primary Stages.
My support of educational institutions throughout my district has resulted in funding for a new student lounge and physics laboratory at Hunter College, a computer lab for children at the Vanderbilt YMCA, and the refurbishment of the children’s room at the Yorkville Branch of the New York Public Library. On an even more local level, I have given funding to community organizations which beautify our neighborhood and improve our quality of life, including the Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, the 86th Street Merchants and Residents Association, the Sutton Area Community, The Turtle Bay Association, and Friends of the High School of Art & Design.
I understand the difficulty construction of the Second Avenue Subway has posed for residents and businesses, and I am working on multiple fronts to force improvements.
The first stage of the Second Avenue Subway will operate from East 96th Street to East 63rd Street and is scheduled to be completed in 2016. This project will be especially beneficial to East Side residents and commuters. Currently, the Lexington Avenue subway line -- the only subway on the East Side -- carries more passengers than any other mode of public transportation in the United States. Subway platforms, trains and buses on the East Side are severely overcrowded. On a typical weekday rush hour, the 4/5/6 lines between Grand Central Terminal and 96th Street are operating at 150 percent of capacity. Forecasts estimate that upon completion of the Second Avenue line, overcrowding during peak morning hours on the Lexington Avenue line would decline by nearly 30 percent for southbound riders and nearly 20 percent for northbound riders.
Construction, however, will mean disruptions on our lives and local economy – I have been active to ensure that these are minimized to the fullest extent possible. I have hosted multiple meetings with the MTA to discuss the initial phases of the subway construction and its impact on the nearby businesses. I have also worked with the MTA to make sure that they consider the concerns of residents located along the Second Avenue Subway route, including the East 70's and 80's. Finally, I introduced a bill that passed the Legislature in 2008 – the Second Avenue Economic Grant Program (A. 6137) -- to assist our local small businesses during the construction process. The legislation was vetoed by the Governor, but passed the Assembly again in 2009 and 2010. This bill would go a long way in ensuring that our businesses can be part of our community for years to come.
Park space is at a premium on the East Side and I will work to preserve and improve existing green space while encouraging the New York City Parks Department to develop more park space.
The East Side of Manhattan has some of the least amount of active park space in New York City. I have assisted efforts to preserve what green space we do have in our community. Currently, I am working with Upper East Side residents in an attempt to preserve Ruppert Playground, located at 92nd Street between Second and Third Avenues. While the playground is not New York City parkland – it is a privately owned playground which was created as part of a land disposition agreement in 1983 – it has become a cherished resource for residents. The playground is owned by a developer, and although the requirement for the preservation of the park expired in June 2008, the owner has continued to maintain the park since that time. I am working with the developer, the City, and community residents to find a solution which would maintain the park space.
I have also provided funding for “playground associates” at MacArthur Park and 24 Sycamores Park in my district. The playground associates planned and organized events for area children. On August 11, 2009, I teamed with the New York City Parks Department to host a “Park Activity Day” at MacArthur Park, on the East River between 48th and 49th Streets. The Activity Day involved arts and crafts, face painting for kids, and a visit from the Parks Department’s “Playmobile.” During the ceremony, the Parks Department presented a plaque honoring my commitment to parks in New York City.
I have worked with community residents to prevent the use of the Third Church of Christ, Scientist as a commercial catering facility.
I stood with the community against the usage of the Third Church of Christ, Scientist at 583 Park Avenue as a commercial catering facility. The church had been using the venue as a commercial catering facility, a use which had drawn protests from community residents. I worked with residents to raise concerns about the negative effects of this business partnership, especially with regard to noise, traffic, litter, and community safety. When the State Liquor Authority ruled to disapprove the liquor license application by the Rose Group at this location, it was a victory for community residents. I am proud to have worked with the residents and my other colleagues in government to achieve this result.
I am constantly working to make pedestrian safety a priority.
Pedestrian safety is an ongoing issue in the 73rd Assembly District. Recently, I worked with the Department of Transportation to implement multiple changes to traffic signals at the intersection of 57th Street and 1st Avenue. By instituting a left turn only signal, we have been able to create a situation which is safer for pedestrians and creates better traffic flow for motorists. Additionally, I continually monitor traffic enforcement within my district, making sure that Traffic Enforcement officers are placed at intersections where they are needed most. I also introduced legislation in 2010 to create a “pedestrian right of way”. Finally, I sponsored legislation which was signed into law (Ch. 18 of 2009) which increased the number of “red light cameras” at dangerous intersections throughout New York City. Department of Transportation statistics indicate that traffic violations decrease 40-60% with the installation of these cameras. I will work to see that as many of these cameras as possible are placed at intersections within the 73rd Assembly District.
I support efforts to mitigate traffic in New York City.
One of the best ways to decrease congestion is to ensure that our public transportation system is efficient and accessible. New York City’s public transportation is among the best in the world, and we continue to provide innovate and effective ways to improve it. I have been working with the MTA to develop the Select Bus Service system, which is scheduled to be implemented along First and Second Avenues in the fall of 2010. The Select Bus Service system should be able to move commuters quickly up and down the East side and alleviate overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue Subway line while the Second Avenue subway is constructed.
One crucial element of the SBS system will be enforcement of a “bus only” lane, where other cars will not be able to drive during rush hours. In order to discourage unauthorized vehicles from driving in the bus lanes and improve enforcement of traffic laws, I introduced legislation (A. 10201) adopted in the 2010-2011 state budget which authorizes implementation of bus lane cameras in the SBS lanes. My efforts in support of this legislation led the New York League of Conservation Voters to honor me with an Eco-Star Award.
I have fought against public transportation service cuts in our neighborhood.
Earlier this year, the MTA announced proposed cuts to bus service in East Midtown and Turtle Bay, including the elimination of a Select Bus Service (SBS) stop at 49th and 50th Street on First Avenue. I voiced opposition to this plan, along with many members of the community, and the MTA soon re-instituted the SBS stop.
While this announcement is a victory for the neighborhood, I have also called on the MTA to restore proposed cuts to crosstown bus service in East Midtown. Currently, the MTA plans to eliminate the M27 bus route, end crosstown service along the M104 route, and to abolish night and weekend service on the M50. I have coordinated with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and other East Side elected officials to gather over 2,000 signatures from community residents protesting the bus cuts. These petitions have been delivered to the MTA chairman in the continuing effort to achieve some restoration of crosstown bus service.
I am aware of concerns regarding legal and illegal street vendors.
Residents and businesses have expressed concerns about the prevalence of street vendors in the area, specifically in East Midtown and on East 86th Street. I am proud to have co-sponsored 2004 legislation which re-instituted limitations on vending in Midtown and the World Trade Center site. However, there remain many illegal vendors that operate on our streets who are not regulated. I look forward to continuing my work with the community, police precincts, and city and state government to reduce illegal vending.
I have also introduced legislation (A. 1640) to increase fines on those who illegally impersonate a street vendor who is a veteran.
I sponsor many local events in support of my community.
Throughout my first four terms, I have maintained my presence in the community by sponsoring and hosting a variety of events for my constituents. Each year, I sponsor the following events and programs:
Over these past seven years, we've made real progress, and we need your help to keep it going.
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