Date movie: A documentary offer for people who live or work on 10th Street

From the Random Flyer Department on 10th Street... an "acclaimed production company" is seeking couples who live or work on 10th Street "for an upcoming documentary series on the modern dating landscape."

No idea if these are legit... or why they didn't start on First Street for a more orderly sequel possibility. 

Updated: Garbage trucks return to park on 10th Street

Two garbage trucks were spotted parked on 10th Street just west of First Avenue today (thanks to Steven for the photos!) ...



On Nov. 21, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) was to temporarily relocate the trucks — effectively immediately — to Pier 42 along the East River for the next three months.

For whatever reasons, the trucks are back here — and during the day. In September 2018, the DSNY started using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., including on Sundays. The DSNY no longer had use of their garage on 30th Street, and the solution was to relocate their fleet to residential blocks.

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

While the trucks were away from here for a week-plus, the "Authorized Vehicles Only" signs remained up along this corridor, reserving parking for DSNY vehicles.

Updated 2:30 p.m.

Sen. Brad Hoylman's office contacted the city. "They say that the trucks are there on a lunch break but will remain off the street overnight and on weekends, as they have publicly committed."

In a statement, the Department of Sanitation said: "Sanitation workers continue to use this facility during lunch breaks; the trucks are not parking overnight."

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.

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

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

• State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

• The city is removing the garbage trucks that were parking overnight on 10th Street

No parking signs remain after garbage trucks leave 10th Street

For the first time last night in more than 14 months, there weren't any garbage trucks parked on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

As reported here yesterday morning, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is temporarily relocating the trucks to Pier 42 along the East River for the next three months. It's not immediately clear where they will park after those 90 days.

In September 2018, the DSNY started using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., including on Sundays. The DSNY no longer had use of their garage on 30th Street, and the solution was to relocate their fleet to residential blocks.

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

Meanwhile, the "Authorized Vehicles Only" signs remain up along this corridor, reserving parking for DSNY vehicles...



As of now, no one is parking here... but the open spaces did attract a few idling motorists.

H/T Steven!

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

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

• State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

The city is removing the garbage trucks that were parking overnight on 10th Street

[EVG file photo]

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is moving its fleet of garbage trucks away from 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

DSNY officials said that the trucks will temporarily relocate to Pier 42 along the East River starting today for the next three months.

The move came nearly a month after Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick introduced legislation to ban overnight garbage truck parking for residential streets citywide.

"We are so thankful that DSNY has relocated the trucks to a more appropriate location and grateful for the help of our local elected officials ... for making this happen," 10th Street resident Michelle Lang told me in an email. "While we just learned that this is a temporary fix, we hope that the trucks will not return to residential streets in the city."

In a statement issued last night, Hoylman called this "the sweet smell of success!" He continued: "Hopefully, life will resume to normal for the residents and small businesses along East 10th Street who’ve been dealing with this stinky situation for over a year."

As I first reported on Sept. 18, 2018, the DSNY started using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., including on Sundays. The DSNY no longer had use of their garage on 30th Street, and the solution was to relocate their fleet to residential blocks.

City officials had promised to look into this parking practice, but nothing ever happened. In September 2018, 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, 2018.

Despite meetings and direct pleas from residents of 10th Street and local elected officials, the city never took any action to relocate the trucks. With the city's inaction, officials turned to state legislation to get something done.

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.

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

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

• State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

[Photo of NY1's Rocco Vertuccio yesterday on 10th Street by Steven]

Elected officials made good on their vow from this past summer to introduce state legislation to ban New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) trucks from parking overnight on city streets.

The legislation by Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick was introduced this past Friday more than 14 months after DSNY vehicles began parking nightly on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Despite meetings and direct pleas from residents of 10th Street and local elected officials, the city has yet to take any action to relocate the fleet of garbage trucks. With the city's inaction, officials now are turning to state legislation to get something done.

"For far too long, the Department of Sanitation has used East 10th Street as its personal parking lot, forcing residents to endure rotten smells and extreme noise pollution," Hoylman said in a statement. "This legislation... will finally end this ridiculous practice. We must ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on residential streets so we can protect the quality of life in every corner of our city."

Said Glick: "This disruptive practice has negatively affected local residents and small businesses by taking up valuable parking space, adding to noise pollution, detracting from our community’s quality of life, and introducing vermin and foul odors in front of residences."

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera all chimed in with their support.

As I first reported on Sept. 18, 2018, the DSNY started 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.

City officials had promised to look into this parking practice, but nothing ever happened. In September 2018, 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, 2018. "What we’re trying to do every day is figure out the kind of facilities that will help avoid that in the future."

"In a city with a limited amount of space, DSNY uses all options at our disposal to care for our fleet. Street parking has been necessary to keep providing essential services to this area while we find a new garage space," Belinda Mager, a DSNY spokesperson, told the Post.

Residents remain cautiously optimistic for the trucks to move on.

"I am really hopeful that this legislation may finally get the garbage trucks off of our residential street in the East Village," 10th Street resident Michelle Lang told me. "It is unfortunate that the only way to get this done is through legislation at the state level, but the de Blasio administration has failed to do anything over the last year. Fingers crossed that this will do the trick!"

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

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

Tuesday's parting shots

Late-night/early-morning views of 10th Street and Avenue B via Shawn Chittle...

Saturday's parting shots

A few scenes from the 49th annual 10th Street Block Party today ... photos by Derek Berg...

Those random concrete blocks on 10th Street

EVG reader Steven Hirsch shared this photo from 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue ...where these concrete blocks arrived earlier in the week "with no signs or permits."

That's one way to prevent people from parking here.

Updated 2/26

Mystery solved here.

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

Noted

The Post picked up on my garbage-trucks-on-10th-Street story... and with the classic headline: "This is why the East Village smells so disgusting."

They spoke with an upset neighbor:

“This is a neighborhood, not a city parking lot,” said outraged East Village condo owner, Michele Matthewman, 50. “I don’t pay the property tax I do to walk out my door to this putrid smell. It’s offensive.”

“We weren’t given any kind of heads up. Nothing,” griped Matthewman, who started a petition to get rid of the trucks that already has 100 signatures. “It’s insanity and it’s just not acceptable.”

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

The Chocolate Library is checking out of St. Mark's Place

We heard a rumor that the Chocolate Library on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue would either be closing and/or relocating.

A tweet dated Oct. 3 provides a lot of info ...

Been a tough go here. Do you remember all that nonsense late last year about the name? The owner had to change the shop's name to Chocolate 101 after the education department told him the law forbade the use of the word "library" in business names. In February, the education department reconsidered and allowed the owner to keep the "library."

Anyway, is the East Village the best place for speciality chocolate shops? We've now seen the Chocolate Bar, Bespoke and the Chocolate Library come and go fairly quickly.

Maybe Puddin' will stick?

East 10th Street yesterday

During the street fair portion of the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts, which continues today...

[Blue Glass]

[Bobby Williams]

Progress

10th Street at Avenue A.

No more Lil' Monsters on East 10th Street

Not sure exactly when Lil' Monsters, the pet care and animal rescue, shuttered at 279 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...


They opened last year around this time... I actually had to remove the post for a time. I was getting bombarded with e-mails and comments from people in North Carolina. For some reason, they seemed to think I owned the space and was responsible for kidnapping their pets. Seriously.

Firefighters and a smell of smoke on East 10th Street

A reader noted the smell of smoke and a few fire trucks this morning on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... anyone have more details? Not sure of the extent of what happened...

[Updated: The Local East Village has a report, including that "A small fire on East 10th Street this morning was sparked by an extension cord that melted after being wrapped around a radiator in a fifth floor apartment." There were no injuries. DNAinfo also has an item on the fore here.]

Seems like 4:41

10th Street along Tompkins Square Park. And I'll keep making that Daylight Savings joke.

A day in the life of First Avenue and 10th Street

Via EV Grieve First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass.

Also last night

A bike is tossed into a trashcan along Tompkins Square Park on 10th Street.

Personally, I blame the new bike lanes for this.