Community Alerts 9.24.25
Traffic Alerts
Gridlock Alert Days: The NYC Department of Transportation announced that drivers should expect extensive street closures and delays across Manhattan from September 22 – September 26 due to the United Nations General Assembly. The DOT strongly encourages everyone to use non-driving modes of transportation—including the subway and bus system, ferries, cycling, and walking—especially on these days. A full list of Gridlock Alert Days (the days when traffic is expected to be at its slowest and most congested) for the remainder of the year is available here.
Repaving: On the night of Friday, September 26, the Department of Transportation will resurface the pavement on Central Park West between West 72nd Street and West 62nd Street.
Street Fairs: On Sunday, September 28, Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center is hosting a street fair on Columbus Avenue between West 66th Street and West 72nd Street. The fair will begin at 10:00am. and conclude by 6:00pm. The streets will be closed to vehicles for the duration of the event. Also on September 28, the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District is hosting Open Streets from 12:00pm – 7:00pm from West 77th Street to West 72nd Street along Columbus Avenue.
Yom Kippur: Alternate side parking regulations will be suspended for Yom Kippur on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Click here to download the NYC ASP calendar.
Policy Updates
Paid Prenatal Leave: The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has provided a reminder that, effective January 1, 2025, all private, nonprofit, and household employers that employ workers in New York City must provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave (in addition to the amount of safe and sick leave, whether paid or unpaid, employers must give employees). Paid prenatal leave is paid time off work that employees can use for healthcare during their pregnancy or related to their pregnancy, including fertility treatment and end of pregnancy care. To find out more information, visit the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s FAQ.
Illegal Vending Decriminalized: On September 10, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Eric Adams’s veto of legislation that removes all misdemeanor criminal penalties for general vendors and mobile food vendors. As a result, vendors who operate without a license could be subject to a violation and a fine or a civil penalty and vendors who violate any other street vending laws would be subject to a civil penalty. These new rules go into effect in March 2026. The Lincoln Square BID reports illegal and unlicensed vending and will continue to do so through the appropriate channels. Violations can also be reported through 311.
Surveys & Public Hearings
Business Owners: The NYC Office of the Comptroller’s audit bureau would like to hear the opinion of business owners regarding violations received by small businesses. Businesses can take this brief survey, which covers the elimination of certain violations, lowering of civil penalties, and providing opportunities to correct first-time violations. Responses will be kept confidential and survey results will be shared in a summary format only.
Youth & Community Development: The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development is conducting a citywide Community Needs Assessment to collect feedback from New Yorkers to set program priorities and direct resources where they are needed most. The survey is intended to help ensure local services reflect real community needs. Share your voice at one of the upcoming public hearings or via the online survey at the link.
Free Trainings for Lifesaving Skills
Emergency Management Webinars: For National Preparedness Month, the NYC Office of Emergency Management is hosting free virtual events on September 24 and September 30 to help community and faith-based organizations prepare for emergencies and become more resilient. The Strengthening Communication Program also offers grants to community networks to build their emergency preparedness plan and support local community resources.
CPR and Narcan Training: On Monday, September 29 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, representatives from FDNY and Ryan Health Center are leading CPR and Narcan Training for Bystanders, which will cover proper methods to use these lifesaving techniques (note that the CPR training is compression only and non-certification). The event is taking place at Goddard Riverside (593 Columbus Avenue at West 88th Street) and space is limited. RSVP at the link.
Bike Tour Sign-up
Registration for the 2026 Five Boro Bike Tour—the annual 40-mile bike ride throughout New York City—opened on September 17. 32,000 people will participate in the event on Sunday, May 3, 2026, which is the only day of the year that cyclists can ride on the FDR Drive, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Global Citizen Festival
On Saturday, September 27, the annual Global Citizen Festival—a concert to unite people toward ending extreme poverty—will take place at the Great Lawn inside Central Park. Headliners for this year’s event include The Weeknd and Shakira, and Hugh Jackman will host the event. Tickets are available for purchase or can be earned for free by taking actions through the Global Citizen app.
Office of Nightlife Grant for Nonprofits
The Office of Nightlife at the NYC Department of Small Business Services is launching the FY26 Nightlife Grant for nonprofit organizations. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for projects that strengthen nightlife business vitality within NYC’s commercial corridors. Applications are due October 15, 2025. More information and instructions on how to apply are available at the link.
File or Order Business Documents Online
The New York Department of State is now making it easier to manage your business needs online. Members of the public can order copies of corporate filings, form a Business Corporation, and form a Limited Liability Company—and more—through New York Business Express and receive confirmation via email. More information is available at the link.
