Manhattan Valley, Upper West Side, and Lincoln Square
Manhattan Community Board 7
Appointed by the Manhattan Borough President, half on the recommendation of local Council members. Advisory, but the first government to hear about anything on your block.
Alex Morgan Bell
chair · district manager Maxwell Vandervliet
First Tuesday, 6:30pm
board meetings are public; anyone can speak
34
budget requests to the city this cycle
What this board asked the city for
From the city’s official register, in the board’s own words, ranked by the board’s own priority. The response is the city’s.
Provide a new or expanded park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)Provide funding for new public restrooms and to renovate existing restroom within parks and playgrounds in MCD7. Due to limited financing and the high cost of DPR funded restrooms, users of many parks and playgrounds in MCD7 are deprived of basic, clean, and safe working facilities. This lack of facilities discourages children, youth, and their caregivers and families from utilizing the parks. CreCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Expand street outreachProvide additional funding for the Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC), a multiagency effort established by Goddard Riverside, to provide outreach to those experiencing street homelessness. Goddard Riverside dispatches MOC teams to respond to 311 calls and Goddard's caseload remains high. It can take up to 200 interactions over months or years to develop relationships with those experiencing streeCity response (Department of Homeless Services): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Other senior center program requestsProvide increased funding for congregate meals at all senior centers. Food insecurity is a major problem for seniors living on fixed incomes and congregate meals help ensure healthy outcomes. Food expenses have risen while funds for the meals have not kept up with the costs.City response (Department for the Aging): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Upgrade or provide new Select Bus Service (SBS) routesFollowing the installation of the a bus lane along West 96th Street, the M96 bus route needs to upgraded to Select Service. The M96 route is long, slow, and unreliable - trips can take over 30 minutes and are slower than 8 mph leaving commuters to make difficult and time-consuming journeys. The corridor is not well-served by current transit options, has high passenger volume, and a significant poCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Other educational programs requestsConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated December 5, 2023, expand funding streams to schools receiving new arrivals over the course of the school year, including via additional support for Project Open Arms and Promise NYC.City response (Department of Education): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide more housing for extremely low and low income householdsConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated June 18, 2024, support the Homes Now initiative to fund the HPD's recently relaunched Neighborhood Pillars program and the Open Doors program. A particular focus is needed on buildings in Manhattan Valley and on underdeveloped sites that can be converted into permanent on-site affordable housing.City response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Renovate or upgrade public housing developmentsPreserve NYCHA public housing developments as a source of needed affordable housing in MCD7. Implement vertical police patrols and improved cameras and surveillance to improve public safety. Repairs to facilities must be timely made to front doors, elevators, sanitation, heating, electrical, and security systems.City response (Housing Authority): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Other transit service requestsMCD7 has the third-highest number of subway riders in the New York City; but service cuts have left fewer trains running and cars, therefore, overcrowded. Restoring more frequent service on all lines - especially the C - will make commuters feel safer, more comfortable, and commutes more reliable.City response (Transit Authority): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide a new or expanded health care facilityProvide funding sufficient to allow Ryan Health to operate a full-service school-based health center. Ryan Health previously operated four four school-based health centers that were closed due to budget deficits. School-based health centers help students stay healthy so they can stay in school and learn.City response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Renovate interior building componentProvide air conditioners for all rooms in school in the Joan of Arc Complex (PS 333, MS 256, and MS 258). Children and faculty suffer during the hot days. As climate change accelerates, it is imperative that the City ensure that children have basic amenities that allow them to concentrate on their education.City response (Department of Education): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide better park maintenanceRestore and baseline funding for essential and basic parks workers - both permanent and seasonal. Apart from coverage in MCD7's two world class large parks (Central Park and Riverside Park), these personnel are needed in all other playgrounds as well. DPR's full time workforce are needed for maintenance and cleanliness (City Park Workers, Associate Park Service Workers and Gardeners). PEP officersCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide more on-street trash cans and recycling containersThe installation of additional Empire Bins. solar trash compactors, trash cans, and sealed garbage collectors in MCD7 is necessary. Maintenance and repair of several of these compactors is urgently needed, especially within Riverside Park. MCB7 urges the City to conduct an audit of the solar trash compactors within MCD7 and to assess the maintenance contract with the manufacturer to make sure theCity response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide new bike lanesConsistent with MCB7's resolutions dated September 1, 2020, January 5, 2021, and April 4, 2023, install crosstown protected bike lanes approximately every 10 blocks on major thoroughfares such as 72nd Street, including safe and legal bicycle routes across Central Park. MCB7 has also requested that DOT study the feasibility of allowing cyclists to travel westbound on W. 100th Street, which many noCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Other youth workforce development requestsIncrease funding for ongoing and additional youth programming, particularly the Summer Youth Employment Program, and programs directed towards youth who reside in NYCHA public housing developments in MCD7. These programs are essential for youth in the community, especially in underserved areas.City response (Department of Youth & Community Development): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Provide, expand, or enhance food assistance, such as Food Stamps / SNAPProvide additional funding for programs that address food insecurity, including West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), Meals on Wheels, DOROT, Get Food NYC, Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, and other food pantries - including, $100,000 for WSCAH's food access programs at its 86th Street distribution hub and $100,000 for Roundtable: Allies for Food Access, to support capacity building and buCity response (Human Resources Administration): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Show all 34 requests
Other community board facilities and staff requestsProvide funds for MCB7 to retain land use or housing experts to assist in land use proposals and identifying ways in which more affordable housing can be built in MCD7.City response (Mayor's Office of Management and Budget): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1New equipment for maintenanceRepair or install lighting in Riverside Park as follows: 1. The park interior, between 115th Street and the 119th Street Tennis Courts, the lights need to be replaced as they have been dark for more than six months in a secluded wooded area. 2. There are missing light poles in the park interior at 104th, 115th, and 116th Streets that need to be replaced. 3. The only pole that lights the 102nd SCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Other expense budget request for DFTAProvide increased funding for home-delivered meals for homebound seniors. There is a need to ensure that homebound seniors are aware of the program and their eligibility to receive delivered meals.City response (Department for the Aging): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Improve traffic and pedestrian safety, including traffic calmingConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated September 6, 2022, repair and replace in-kind the red brick crossings on West 94th Street between Amsterdam and Central Park West, and expand traffic-calming treatments to other cross-streets, including West 108th Street, West 93rd Street, West 76th Street and West 60th Street.City response (Department of Transportation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Assign more non-teaching staff, e.g., to provide social, health and other servicesConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated December 5, 2023, dedicate funding for additional social-emotional support for students including but not limited to school psychologists, nurses, and social workers. Nurses are needed in MS54 and PS859. A full time social worker is needed in MS421 and PS859. Additional social workers are needed in PS75, PS84, PS87, PS165, PS165, PS166, PS191, MS2475, MS256,City response (Department of Education): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Provide more housing for extremely low and low income householdsSROs threatened with conversion need to be purchased by the City and acquired by non-profit housing providers such as Project Find. Where possible, SROs should be converted into supportive housing to serve the most vulnerable and help reduce the homeless population.City response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Replace or upgrade medical/clinical equipmentConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated March 4, 2025, provide funding to NYC Health & Hospitals/Bellevue to purchase three new CT scanners and a new single-plane interventional radiology machine. The hospital's existing equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and is often out of service, causing treatment delays and compromising patient care.City response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 2Forestry services, including street tree maintenanceForestry staff are particularly needed in Riverside Park as trees age and senesce, resulting in a spike in large fallen limbs and dangerous conditions. While the Riverside Park Conservancy is doing its part training staff in proper chainsaw operations so that debris may be cleared in many instances, this is no substitute for removing hazardous limbs that require forestry trucks and heavy equipmentCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Other expense budget request for DSNYAdditional funding is needed for rat mitigation efforts, including expanding the implementation of rat contraceptives.City response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Other traffic improvement requestsConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated March 5, 2024, implement daylighting on all intersections in MCD7 where safe and feasible, including at the multiple sites identified by MCB7. MCB7 has called upon DOT to use planters, boulders, and solid curb extensions to prevent faster turns and the unauthorized use of reserved spaces.City response (Department of Transportation): This request has already been completed.
priority 2Other expense budget request for DYCDProvide cost of living adjustments for all staff in programs funded by the Department of Youth and Community Development. There have been no cost of living adjustments in many years making it difficult to both hire and retain staff. These programs provide necessary services for children and youth, including day care, after school, and summer programs.City response (Department of Youth & Community Development): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Improve access to a park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)While funds have been allocated for the repair of steps at 108th Street, the paths and sidewalk are badly deteriorated and have suffered from a lack of maintenance. The project needs to include improving drainage and repairing and rebuilding the retaining walls and steps in the area. The interior paths between 104th and 116th Streets are in greatest need of repair.City response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Enhance educational and recreational programsProvide funding for intergenerational programs that pair teens and young adults with seniors. These programs are beneficial to both age groups.City response (Department for the Aging): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Other educational programs requestsProvide funding to support the expansion of CSD3 language access programs, including dual language schools and language enrichment programs. These programs include U3K, dual language schools and programs, language enrichment programs, and support for English language learners.City response (Department of Education): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 3Provide more frequent garbage or recycling pick-upMore frequent garbage pick up and recycling is needed in MCD7, particularly in our parks and in high volume areas. The accumulation of garbage compounds the issues with the rat population being experienced throughout MCD7.City response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Other expense budget request for DOTProvide funding for secure on-street bike parking as called for on Page 9 of DOT's Curb Management Action Plan. These curbside enclosures provide a safe alternative to corrals or other bike storage, particularly for residents in walk-ups who otherwise carry bikes indoors/upstairs to avoid theft. Each secure unit can typically fit up to six bicycles where a single car might otherwise park, making tCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 3Assign more non-teaching staff, e.g., to provide social, health and other servicesSecure funding to support the programs and specialists that provide services for students with special needs, including in school and after school programs, as well as funds to hire and train staff at UPK and Pre-K programs run by Community Based Organizations to enable staff to make timely referrals for children with special needs.City response (Department of Education): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 4Provide new traffic or pedestrian signalsConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated March 2, 2021, install split phase signals where practicable for reasons of safety. MCB7 has consistently asked DOT to identify and address the most dangerous left-turn intersections in MCD7, those where left-turns are allowed and left-turning drivers face oncoming traffic, which present a clear danger to pedestrians.City response (Department of Transportation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 4Improve parking operationsConsistent with MCB7's resolution dated October 2, 2018, implement loading zones on Central Park West and West End Avenue. Considering the sharp uptick in last mile delivery, loading zones ensure those deliveries can be made safely, legally and efficiently. Without loading zones, double parking is a persistent problem, causing traffic congestion, excessive honking, and bottlenecking. Loading zoneCity response (Department of Transportation): This request has already been completed.
priority 5Reach the board
Official websitemeeting agendas and minutes live here
official250 W. 87th Street, New York, NY(212) 362-4008 · MN07@cb.nyc.gov
From the city’s official community board directory and the Register of Community Board Budget Requests (updated daily). Member rosters arrive when borough president appointment lists are ingested; meeting summaries arrive with the document tier.