Community Alerts 8.13.25

Community Alerts 8.13.25

Elevator Replacements at 72nd Street Subway Station

Two elevators that provide access to uptown and downtown 1, 2 & 3 train platforms from the mezzanine level at the 72nd Street Subway Station will be closed and removed for new replacements. This work begins on or about Monday, August 25, 2025. For more information, view the Construction Bulletin.

NYC Summer Streets

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. This year, Summer Streets returns with more streets than ever before! Celebrate New York City’s 400th anniversary by exploring over 400 blocks of car-free fun, fitness, and live entertainment as the city’s streets transform into playgrounds for all to enjoy. On select Saturdays from 7:00am to 3:00pm, the usual traffic noise and honking horns will be replaced by open streets teeming with walkers, bikers, runners, and performers. Discover a wealth of free cultural programs, performances, fitness classes, interactive art, giveaways, and much more as you experience the city in a whole new way.

Summer Streets will take place in Manhattan on August 16 on the following streets:

Brooklyn Bridge to Broadway and Dyckman Street

Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 110 Street East 110 Street between Park Avenue and Broadway Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between West 110 Street and West 125 Street Broadway between West 110 Street and Dyckman Street
Learn more about Summer Streets here.

Proposed Changes to MTA’s Fares and Tolls

The MTA Board will consider changes to the MTA’s fares and tolls. Members of the public wishing to comment on these specific changes, and/or provide feedback on the MTA’s fares may do so by submitting a comment. Learn more about how to comment here.

The MTA will hold three hybrid public hearings on the proposed fare changes:

• Tuesday, August 19, 6:00pm–9:00pm — Register to comment here
• Wednesday, August 20, 10:00am–1:00pm — Register to comment here
• Wednesday, August 20, 5:00pm–8:00pm — Register to comment here

All public hearings will be held in person at New York City Transit Authority, 130 Livingston Street, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. There will also be a Zoom option for those who prefer to attend virtually, and the hearings will be livestreamed on the MTA website.

OMNY Retailer Webinar

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, August 21 at 12:00pm about OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment system, and what it means for businesses and commuters. Learn about the MetroCard phase-out, the OMNY rollout, business opportunities to join the retail network, and the latest in contactless payment and accessibility. The session will include a live Q&A with MTA and OMNY representatives. Learn more about the webinar via this flyer, and register for the webinar here.

New NYC Guidelines on Credit Card Surcharges for Businesses

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has issued new guidelines for businesses on applying credit card surcharges.

To comply and avoid penalties, businesses must:

• Limit surcharges to the actual cost of processing credit card payments.
• Clearly disclose surcharges before purchase at all points of sale—in-store, online, and on receipts.
• Apply surcharges only to credit cards, not debit cards or government-issued cards.
• Display total prices, including surcharges, clearly at checkout. Avoid prohibited practices to prevent fines or penalties.

Business owners should review these rules carefully and update their payment and disclosure practices accordingly. For full guidance from New York State, click here.

Clean Buildings Trainings with DSNY

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) offers Clean Buildings Trainings— a series of FREE courses to help New Yorkers keep buildings clean through best waste management and recycling practices.

Topics covered include:

• DSNY Rules and Regulations
• Mastering Building Waste Management: From Setup to Setout
• Understanding Responsibilities of Building Management vs. Tenants
• Learning How to Get Rid of Special Materials (electronics, textiles, bulk, harmful household products)
• Composting
• Strategies for Pest Control

Training options are available for residential maintenance staff (in English and Spanish), NYC residents, and more. Learn more and register on DSNY’s website and email cleanbuildings@dsny.nyc.gov with questions.

Survey on Regulations & Violations Impacting Your Small Business

Small business owners can face significant costs when receiving and resolving city-issued violations, including: direct financial costs in the form of fines and penalties and indirect costs like time spent complying with administrative requirements and attending hearings. Complete this short, anonymous survey to help the NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership assess these costs and improve support for small businesses. Take the survey here.

NYC Restaurants: Hire Trained Entry-Level Cooks Through First Course NYC

First Course NYC is the city’s collaborative training program delivered in partnership with respected NYC restaurants. Candidates pass a rigorous screening process to be trained full time for 8 weeks at Hot Bread Kitchen. Apprentices are then hired into full-service restaurant kitchens for additional training and to start their career as an entry-level cook. To date, NYC restaurants have hired 159 cooks from the First Course NYC program. Restaurants interested in partnering with the program should complete the Interest Form.

Participate in NYPD’s Connect New York Program

Help create a safer New York City by enrolling in the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) free new camera sharing program. The community-based security camera integration program enables businesses to share information in real-time with the NYPD through existing security cameras. You can either integrate your security cameras to provide the NYPD with real-time access to your selected camera feed(s) in case of an emergency near your location, or register your cameras with the program so the NYPD knows where they are and can easily request video evidence should an incident occur. Visit www.NewYorkCityConnect.org to learn more and sign up.

Join a Community Emergency Response Team & Make Your Emergency Plan

The New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT) program is made up of localized groups of dedicated volunteers who help prepare their neighbors and communities for different types of disasters. NYC CERT members undergo a training program that provides basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, community disaster support, disaster medical operations, and traffic management. You must be 18 years or older, and live or work in New York City to apply. You can learn more about joining NYC CERT here and sign up to join here.

Plus, New York City Emergency Management’s Ready New York guides offer tips and information designed to help New Yorkers prepare for all types of emergencies. View the guides online (including one for pets!) and share them with your friends, family, and neighbors.

Save New Yorkers $1 BILLION on college costs

Following Mayor Adams’ initiative to help wipe out $360 million in student loans for 100,000 city employees, his office is expanding the program citywide to ALL New Yorkers. This first-of-its-kind municipal program will support approximately 3 million New York City residents, reduce student loan payments, and assist with tuition savings, keeping up to $1 billion in New Yorkers’ pockets. Learn more and register now for updates.