Mayor’s Office briefs Manhattan CB11 on Harlem crisis expansion
Each new crisis management catchment area is slated to receive $1.6 million, but the Mayor’s Office has not yet clarified which parts of Harlem qualify.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — mayor’s office of community engagement report, district manager report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
A Mayor’s Office representative said she would follow up on whether the Harlem expansion includes East Harlem and how funding would reach community organizations.
Harlem is slated for more city-funded conflict prevention work. A Mayor’s Office representative told Manhattan Community Board 11 that the city is expanding its crisis management system to areas including Harlem, Bushwick and Washington Heights–Inwood. Each catchment area will receive $1.6 million in city funding. The representative said the city chose areas using crime data, unmet service needs and other indicators.
The system uses credible messengers to mediate conflicts before they turn violent and connect people with jobs, mental health services, mentorship and education. During questions at Manhattan Community Board 11, members asked whether “Harlem” includes East Harlem and whether funding would go to organizations already working in the community. The representative said she would check with the Office of Community Safety and follow up on both questions.
The representative also introduced Organize NYC, a platform for learning about and acting on community issues. Its Talk Tenants campaign included summer outreach in East Harlem about housing conditions and tenant concerns. Volunteers connected people with tenant associations and directed them to “NYC 101s”; the representative said one East Harlem tenant-rights session was well attended. She also shared mentalhealthconnect.nyc.gov, a new city website for finding mental health and substance use services, and announced a free soccer tournament.
District Manager Report: Land Use Applications, Veterans Residence Redevelopment, and Office Closures
A redevelopment proposal for 22 East 119th Street is entering Manhattan Community Board 11’s land use work. District Manager Angel Mescain said HPD has submitted an application for the site now occupied by the Veterans Residence. The plan calls for two residential buildings with around 403 units in total. According to Mescain, the first would replace the Veterans Residence and house its residents before the existing building is taken down and a second building is built.
Mescain said members of Manhattan Community Board 11’s Housing and Land Use Committee met with the development team and HPD months ago to hear preliminary ideas. Preliminary materials are available, and Manhattan Community Board 11 will post updates as the application progresses. Mescain recalled approximately 174 units for Veterans Residence residents in the first building.
The Housing and Land Use Committee has another application to review in November: proposed signage on 125th Street connected to the National Black Theater. Mescain said materials are available through the land use and landmarks database on Manhattan Community Board 11’s website. Mescain also reported office closures on November 3, November 11 and November 26.
Residents challenge 116th Street parking changes
Manhattan Community Board 11 heard residents object to parking loss, metered spaces and round-the-clock bus-lane enforcement on 116th Street. A member said Manhattan Community Board 11 had asked DOT and MTA to limit parking loss and restrict bus-lane hours, but the agencies declined.
Residents described repeated meter costs and longer walks from parking spaces for people with limited mobility.
Manhattan CB11 reviews Second Avenue Subway impacts
Manhattan Community Board 11’s chair reported continued work with the MTA on Second Avenue Subway construction impacts, including walk-throughs with the project team. The chair said soundproofing reduced noise from a vent at 119th Street and 2nd Avenue, while work continues on business concerns and the claims process.
Construction noise and access problems can affect nearby residents and businesses while subway work continues.
Human Services Committee seeks further OnPoint discussion
Manhattan Community Board 11’s Human Services Committee reported hearing concerns about discarded syringes and other neighborhood impacts during a discussion with OnPoint NYC representative Jason Beltre. The committee said Beltre provided responses and data, and it wants OnPoint head Sam Rivera to attend a future meeting.
Residents may get another chance to raise syringe concerns directly with OnPoint’s leadership.
Manhattan CB11 shares food distribution announcements
Manhattan Community Board 11 heard announcements of a Sunday food pantry outside its office at 12:00 p.m. and a free pet food distribution Friday at 10:00 a.m. at 71 East 111 Street. A Saturday food pantry at an edible farm and garden site on Madison Avenue was also announced for 11:00 a.m.
The announcements give residents times and locations for food and pet food distributions.
- Manhattan Community Board 11 (Manhattan CB11). NYC Smoke-Free (Public Health Solutions) presented tobacco control services including smoke-free housing support, tobacco-free spaces for businesses, and cessation resources through NYC Treats Quit. A board member asked about youth smoking; the presenter noted vaping education programs and offered to connect further.
- Manhattan Community Board 11 (Manhattan CB11). Multiple residents raised concerns about loss of parking and 24/7 bus lane enforcement on 116th Street, citing costs, impacts on seniors/veterans, and harm to small businesses. Board members described prior CB11 advocacy to DOT/MTA and encouraged continued participation in Public Safety meetings.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb11 had 41 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCELa Marqueta public grocery listening session announced. The board discussed an upcoming Union Settlement listening session about a public grocery at La Marqueta. The session was included among community announcements and in the Executive Committee report.
- GOVERNANCEElected Official Representative Report: Council Member Office (Constituent Services and Tenant Rights Event). A councilmember office representative described constituent services, including help with housing and other issues and free legal clinic access. The office announced a tenant advocacy/know-your-rights event on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Union Settlement (71 East 111th Street).
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment: Harlem Children’s Zone Program Announcements. A representative from Harlem Children’s Zone announced upcoming community programs and events, including fitness classes, a Halloween “Boo Bash,” youth basketball programming, financial literacy sessions, and a produce distribution event.
- GOVERNANCEEconomic Development and Culture Committee Motion: Urge Free Admission to Arts and Cultural Institutions to be Codified. The board considered a motion from Economic Development and Culture to sign a letter urging that New Yorkers’ right to free admission to cultural institutions be codified in law. The motion passed; one member was recorded as opposed and two abstentions were referenced from committee.
- GOVERNANCEDistrict Leader Announcement: Voter Registration/Turnout and Election Information. A district leader urged voter registration and turnout, noted early voting starting Saturday, and reminded attendees to research ballot propositions. He encouraged community members to participate in local party positions and elections.
- GOVERNANCEManhattan Borough President Report (Representative for Borough President’s Office). A representative delivered the Manhattan Borough President’s report, including the opening of an Immigrant Welcome Center, a walk-through of East Harlem corridors with CB11 leadership, a Community Awards grant program (deadline Oct. 27), and testimony on issues including e-bike safety and Legionnaires disease.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment: WE ACT Environmental Justice East Harlem Collaborative—Community Visioning Process and Events. A WE ACT Environmental Justice organizer invited residents to participate in an East Harlem community visioning/action planning process, including an event at El Museo and upcoming focus groups, and announced a 2027 policy agenda launch event.
- GOVERNANCEElected Official Representative Report: Council Member Salaam’s Office (Small Business Gathering Invitation). A representative from Council Member Salaam’s office invited small business owners to a gathering on October 28, 6:00–8:00 p.m., at 163 West 125th Street, and provided an office contact number for RSVP and information.
- GOVERNANCEEnvironment, Open Space, and Parks Committee Report: Marcus Garvey Park Historic Site and Neighborhood Cleanups. The committee reported on district needs/budget discussion and highlighted the October 10 celebration of Marcus Garvey Park becoming a historic site. The committee also announced November 14 neighborhood “hot spot cleanups.”
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