Waste land: Local elected officials tell the city to move the garbage trucks from 10th Street

[EVG file photo]

After nearly a year of meetings and direct pleas from residents of 10th Street, the city has yet to take any action to relocate the fleet of garbage trucks that park on the block west of First Avenue.

Yesterday, local elected officials joined block residents in urging an immediate solution and requesting that the sanitation trucks be removed.

Garbage trucks on East 10th St stink!

🤮They’re hurting small businesses & ruining the quality of life.

🤮I joined @RepMaloney @CarlinaRivera @DeborahJGlick to demand @NYCSanitation remove these trucks.

🤮If City Hall won’t do it, we’ll pass legislation in Albany to do so pic.twitter.com/8EQ0reFTBg

— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) August 18, 2019

I joined the East 10th Street community to demand @NYCSanitation finally remove their trucks which emit a foul smell & have negatively impacted residents and businesses for nearly a year. We’ve written a letter calling for an immediate solution to this gross problem. pic.twitter.com/TUy7t26chz

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) August 18, 2019

Happy to join colleagues & neighborhood folks to Call on ⁦@NYCMayor⁩ to get these city garbage trucks off residential streets. ⁦@bradhoylman⁩ ⁦@RepMaloney⁩ ⁦@CarlinaRivera⁩ We've made many suggestions NOW get it done. pic.twitter.com/vVnvNnaWBP

— (((Deborah Glick))) (@DeborahJGlick) August 18, 2019

As first reported last Sept. 18, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is now using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks or other vehicles. The DSNY no longer has use of their garage on 30th Street, and their solution for the foreseeable future has been to relocate their fleet elsewhere, including overnight on residential blocks.

And why park here? The Theater for the New City complex at 155 First Ave. near 10th Street was previously used by DSNY for storage, and they still maintain space in the facility for crews.

Meanwhile, residents say they continue to have quality-of-life and safety concerns — as expressed in previous posts — over the row of trucks parked on this block.

Last September, shortly after the trucks arrived, Mayor de Blasio promised to "relieve the immediate pressure" on 10th Street. "Do we want garbage trucks parking on residential streets? Of course not," said de Blasio, as CBS 2 reported on Sept. 26. "What we’re trying to do every day is figure out the kind of facilities that will help avoid that in the future."

And now 11 months later residents here are still waiting for the city to do something.

Seth Stein, a spokesperson for the mayor, recently told the Post: "We are actively evaluating parking options for these trucks that keep them near the neighborhood they serve."

You can find a copy of the letter from the local elected officials to the city at this link.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern

A waste of space: 10th Street still waiting for the garbage trucks to move on

Garbage truck parking situation on 10th Street still stinks, residents say

Garbage truck parking situation on 10th Street still stinks, residents say

With the arrival of a new season, residents who live on 10th Street west of First Avenue are anticipating a long, hot summer with garbage trucks continuing to park on their block.

A resident from 240 E. 10th St. shared this from a recent warm weather day:

Due to the three enormous sanitation trucks parked directly in front of our building ... there were dozens of flies in my apartment. You could see them on and around the trucks and flying up to people’s apartments. I have a new-born daughter in the apartment and there were flies on her pacifier, flies in my apartment and flies in her room. This is unacceptable.

As first reported last Sept. 18, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is now using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks or other vehicles. The DSNY no longer has use of their garage on 30th Street, and their solution for the foreseeable future has been to relocate their fleet elsewhere, including overnight on residential blocks.

And why park here? The Theater for the New City complex at 155 First Ave. near 10th Street was previously used by DSNY for storage, and they still maintain space in the facility for crews.

Meanwhile, residents say they continue to have quality-of-life and safety concerns — as expressed in previous posts — over the row of trucks parked on this block.







Last September, shortly after the trucks arrived, Mayor de Blasio promised to "relieve the immediate pressure" on 10th Street. "Do we want garbage trucks parking on residential streets? Of course not," said de Blasio, as CBS 2 reported on Sept. 26. "What we’re trying to do every day is figure out the kind of facilities that will help avoid that in the future."

Nine months later residents here are still waiting.

"Making phone calls and writing letters doesn’t seem to be doing anything," resident Michelle Lang said. "While Mayor de Blasio promised to relieve the residents of 10th Street from this undue burden back in September, nothing has been done."

Apparently there isn't any quick solution to the parking situation. DSNY included in their capital plan funding to start designing Manhattan Garage 6 (now temporarily on Montgomery and Jefferson streets) in 2022 with an anticipated completion date in 2028.

Local Councilmember Carlina Rivera has advocated for City Council to call to move the sanitation vehicles from residential neighborhoods in its 2020 Preliminary Budget Response.

Here's part of a missive from City Council:

The Council calls upon the Administration to relocate DSNY operational vehicles that are currently parked in residential neighborhoods to new, centralized locations within their respective sanitation districts. By centrally locating personnel and vehicle fleet, specifically in areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn, DSNY would improve efficiencies and reduce safety/air quality risks to local residents and small businesses.

Updated 8 p.m.

I asked Avi Burn, an owner of Pinks, whose bar-restaurant looks out at the parked garbage trucks, for his thoughts.

"Obviously businesses and neighbors are quite worried as the trucks are still parked on the block and the summer is the most perilous time for us as the stench is magnified, consumer foot traffic is heavier (will avoid smelly truck lined blocks) and there is more potentially hazardous street behavior late at night."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern

A waste of space: 10th Street still waiting for the garbage trucks to move on

Noted

The city has unveiled its new #KeepNYCTrashFree campaign on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place...



Not sure at the moment who's responsible for this street art ... (and thanks to Christine Champagne for the photo!)

Updated

Thanks to the readers who shared the artist's name...

View this post on Instagram

#keepnyctrashfree 1/3

A post shared by WINSTON TSENG (@winstontseng) on Oct 23, 2018 at 1:25pm PDT

Updated 9 p.m.

That didn't last long, as Christine noted...

Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern

[EVG photo from Oct. 15]

Local elected officials are continuing to urge the city to quickly come up with solutions for parking its fleet of garbage trucks on 10th Street at First Avenue.

As I first reported on Sept. 18, the DSNY is now using part of 10th Street for up to seven trucks. The DSNY no longer has use of their garage at 606 W. 30th St., and are relocating their trucks elsewhere, including Pier 36.

This move — apparently done without much, if any, consultation with Community Board 3 — has sparked numerous complaints from residents and merchants alike who have called out the problems with the smell, noise and negative impact on business.

Nearly a month has passed since Mayor de Blasio promised to “relieve the immediate pressure” on 10th Street. “Do we want garbage trucks parking on residential streets? Of course not,” said de Blasio, as CBS 2 reported. “What we’re trying to do every day is figure out the kind of facilities that will help avoid that in the future.”



Here's part of a letter to Kathryn Garcia, the city’s Department of Sanitation commissioner, that Sen. Brad Hoylman's office shared with me on Friday:

Presently, the vehicles parked on East 10th Street between First and Second Avenues have created significant quality of life, public safety, and traffic related issues for residents and businesses. As a result, my office has received numerous complaints.

I understand that the owner of the Manhattan 6 garage located at 606 West 30 Street has declined to renew the lease for the DSNY vehicles. However, the city should not force residents and small businesses in the East Village into shouldering DSNY’s burden. My constituents are justifiably concerned about the lack of notice, as well as the decline in their quality of life due to the unwelcome odor, the lack of available parking, and the overbearing appearance of the vehicles.

Furthermore, this situation presents multiple public safety issues as the bike lane now overlaps with the vehicle traffic lane, thereby endangering cyclists. The vehicles also block curb ramps. This, of course, disproportionately impacts seniors and residents with disabilities, which, as I am sure you are aware, could create a potential liability for the City.

My constituents and I find this situation unacceptable. I implore you to find a more suitable location for these vehicles and I am happy to work with your office to achieve this.

Meanwhile, District 2 City Councilmember Carlina Rivera asked the mayor to take action as well in a letter from last week. That letter reads in part:

I am writing to urge full cooperation from your office and all relevant city agencies in relocating sanitation vehicles parked on East 10th Street between First and Second Avenues in Manhattan. The situation on the block has become untenable. Seniors and people with disabilities are unable to safely access transportation directly on the street, small businesses have verifiably seen their sales decrease, and public safety concerns are rising as the large vehicles block visibility to and from the street.

In addition to these concerns, the accident in Crown Heights on October 11 that saw a pedestrian fatally struck by a Department of Sanitation truck has heightened residents’ sensitivity about this issue. They note that this highly-trafficked part of the East Village, which sees pedestrian activity late into the evening due to a robust nightlife culture, is primed for a similar tragedy.

We need to work together to relieve the burden on these constituents and move the sanitation vehicles off of this narrow side street. At recent meetings, Community Board 3 and my office suggested alternative sites. Therefore, I look forward to continuing our conversations to find a quick solution that has less impact on commerce and safety.

The Post reported yesterday about a new concern with the parked trucks: muggings. Early in the morning on Oct. 11, a sanitation worker was threatened at knifepoint in front of Pinks at 242 E. 10th St. According to the Post, a 22-year-old Bronx man was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

Per the article:

With the hulking trucks lined up like elephants at the curb, blocking the view of cops in patrol cars, pedestrians are at risk, residents complained to the Post.

“There is no visibility from the street. You could rob someone, mug someone or push someone into their building,” warned Michelle Lang, 48, who lives in the 16-story New Theatre condo on E. 10th Street. “There are parents with strollers.”

The threat against the garbage man is an example of “what we have feared all along,” she added.

DSNY spokesperson Dina Montes recently told The Villager that "The department is working to evaluate alternative parking options as provided by elected officials and the community board. Other city agencies, such as [the Department of Transportation], may need to be involved in evaluating any alternate spaces as well."

Interestingly enough, during the "Trash Bash" protest at Pinks on the evening of Oct. 11, there weren't any garbage trucks parked outside the bar, preventing a photo opp for a CBS 2 news crew ... only a private hauler zipped by during the festivities ...


[Photo on Oct. 11 by Stacie Joy]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

Pinks hosting 'Trash Bash' to protest the DSNY's decision to park garbage trucks on 10th Street

[Photo Monday by Steven]

The owners of Pinks, the bar and grill at 242 E. 10th St. west of First Avenue, are hosting a "Trash Bash" tonight as a protest of sorts over the Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) recent decision to park garbage trucks in front of their business.

As I first reported on Sept. 18, the DSNY is now using part of 10th Street for their fleet. The DSNY no longer has use of their garage at 606 W. 30th St., and are relocating their trucks elsewhere, including parts of 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This move — apparently done without much, if any, consultation with Community Board 3 — has sparked numerous complaints from residents and merchants alike who have called out the problems with the smell, noise and negative impact on business.

As for tonight's festivities...

"We are trying an alternative playful community protest to inspire the DSNY to make changes," Pinks owner Avi Burn told me. "We would like those responsible for the decision to make a garbage truck parking lot out of 10th Street to imagine this happening right outside their residence or place of business.

"It's horrific and irresponsible and there are alternatives to be discovered with a little effort. There is always a solution. We understand the DSNY has missed some deadlines to communicate with CB3, this will not go away — they need to focus on it and come to a satisfactory resolution with us."

Here's what to expect this evening, via the Facebook event page:

Costume theme: TRASHY AND FLASHY.
Free entry for costumed guests. $10 suggested donation for all else.

8 PM: Join us for trash themed cocktails and dinner (Mexican Cuisine). Sign a petition against the DSNY's irresponsible actions

8:30 PM: Live music by Liah Alonso

9 PM: Trash-ion Show by Christopher Hardwick. Dress in trash pieces or anything related to "Trash." Pinks Gift Card prizes and giveaways to the winners and best dressed!

9:30 PM: More music, fun and resistance to the trash.

Parking aside, the DSNY hasn't been the best neighbor. On Sept. 27, a surveillance camera captured a DSNY employee dumping trash out of his garbage truck into a planter outside Pinks, ABC 7 reported.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

[Photo from yesterday by Vinny & O]

As I first reported on Sept. 18, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is now using part of 10th Street west of First Avenue to park garbage trucks.

The DSNY no longer has use of their garage at 606 W. 30th St., and are relocating their fleet elsewhere, including 10th Street and at Pier 36.

This move has sparked numerous complaints from residents and merchants alike who have called out the problems with the smell, noise and negative impact on business.

The story has since received a good deal of press coverage. Here are a few updates.

• Mayor de Blasio is promising action.

Here's CBS 2 from Wednesday night:

Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to “relieve the immediate pressure” on a residential street in the heart of the East Village that has become a parking lot for Department of Sanitation vehicles.

“Do we want garbage trucks parking on residential streets? Of course not,” said de Blasio. “What we’re trying to do every day is figure out the kind of facilities that will help avoid that in the future.”

• District 2 City Council member Carlina Rivera is not pleased.

Per Patch on Wednesday:

"[The Department of Sanitation] must immediately move their vehicles to locations that do not place an undue burden on our vulnerable constituents and mom-and-pop stores and should engage in a meaningful dialogue with these communities," wrote Councilwoman Carlina Rivera in a recent letter to the Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.

• This is what the DSNY has to say about the move to 10th Street and other East Side locations.

Per The Villager on Tuesday:

[T]he Sanitation Department says that this is the only option until another garage location is secured.

“In short, we’ve been working for years to find garage space, which is the only solution,” said Belinda Mager, the department’s spokesperson. “This is the option of last resort, and what’s needed to be able to provide essential services to the district.”

• This is getting ugly.

Per ABC 7 last night:

A feud over garbage trucks parking on a residential street in the East Village heated up Thursday after a New York City Sanitation Department employee was captured by a surveillance camera dumping trash out of his garbage truck into a planter on E 10th Street between First and Second Avenues outside Pinks...

• And that Post headline from Sunday:



Aside from 10th Street, garbage trucks are also being parked by P.S. 184 on Cherry Street on the Lower East Side. CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer told me that she's also receiving complaints from many parents there.

Rivera and CB3 officials will be meeting with DSNY officials early next week.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

[Updated] Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

Community Board 3 officials learned last Thursday during a committee meeting that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will use part of 10th Street west of First Avenue to park garbage trucks.

By Saturday, new street signs had arrived [per a resident, the signs arrived a few weeks back. See comments], restricting the parking on part of 10th Street west toward Second Avenue to the Department of Sanitation. The trucks arrived on Saturday as well.


[Top two photos by Steven]


[Photo from Saturday]

Everyone was seemingly caught off guard by this parking development, including the Community Board, local business owners and residents.

"There was no discussion or outreach. We are still gathering information on this issue," Trever Holland, chair of CB3's Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Committee, told me via email. "Most of the questions we asked went unanswered or [the DSNY said] 'we'll get back to you.'"

The DSNY no longer has use of their garage at 606 W. 30th St., and are relocating their fleet elsewhere, including 10th Street and at Pier 36. None of these trucks will be servicing residents within Community Board 3.

"We have very little information from the DSNY, but many, many complaints," CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer said yesterday. "I have never before received so many complaints in such a short time."

In an email, one EVG reader noted: "Over the weekend, three stinky garbage trucks were parked on the block. It was like a wall of stench in front of Pinks and across from Snowdays and Tarallucci e Vino."

Pinks, the bar-restaurant at 242 E. 10th St., is the business most directly impacted by the arrival of the parked trucks.



"I can firmly attest to the fact that Saturday evening the corner of 10th Street and First Avenue is jammed with people, and at that time on Saturdays, Pinks typically has a nice dinner and drinking crowd," said Alex Sassaris, an owner who also bartends on the weekends. "This past Saturday during the same time the bar was practically empty.

"Keep in mind we are a food-service establishment, with the cellar door just a few feet a way from a truck filled with garbage — that's certainly a potential rodent nightmare on our hands."



Rodent potential aside, Sassaris said the trucks parked in front of the bar also present a possible security issue.

"[We are] obstructed from the view of 9th Precinct patrols," he said. "This poses a substantial danger to our patrons and staff for any number of potential threats ... if the police can not have eyes on the bar from the street."


[Image from security footage at Pinks]

Before Theater for the New City moved into its current home at 155 First Ave. near 10th Street in the late 1980s, the Department of Sanitation used the building for storage. As Off the Grid noted in a 2012 feature, "When the Theater for the New City purchased the former First Avenue Retail Market building there was stipulation that they had to still share part of the space with the Sanitation Department for a time."

Apparently there are still facilities for the city to use in the building. According to last week's CB3 committee meeting agenda, Department of Sanitation officials were on-hand to discuss a "reactivation of Section Station at 155-157 First Ave."

It's not immediately clear how long the city plans to park garbage trucks on 10th Street. According to CB3's Holland, sanitation officials said that it will be "temporary" — like five years or longer until they secure a new spot.

"If this is allowed to continue, our business is certainly in jeopardy and all the people we employ could potentially be out of a job," Sassaris said.

--

Updated 9/19

Here's an update from CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer this morning:

I also want to thank the readers who posted information about the trucks. The CB number posted in the comments is not correct — it is a defunct fax number. However, it is not productive to call — we would be doing nothing but answering the phones. Do call 311 and also do submit a "make a complaint" form on the CB website. At this point it would be good to submit only if new information. For example, we just got a complaint through the website that there are now trucks also parking in areas not reserved for the trucks.

CB 3, CB 6 and the council office were informed of this decision shortly before it happened, with little information, and with no input or choice. However, we will be working together to try to have a better resolution.