On the evening of November 6th, the West 50s Neighborhood Association gathered in the Reading Room at The Whitby Hotel on West 56th Street. Neighbors, board members, elected officials and their representatives joined us for an evening of conversation about the neighborhood.
Board President Dave Achelis opened the evening with its theme: positivity. The West 50s still faces real challenges, but Dave pointed to the progress the Association and its neighbors have made over the past year and to the work ahead.
Dave also reminded the room what a block association is for: taking care of our neighborhood and our streets. A big part of that work is staying close to our community board, whose members are appointed by the Borough President and which review proposals before they reach our Council Members. That makes them one of the most important places for neighbors to be heard, and one of the places where the Association speaks up for the West 50s.
Reports from Albany and City Hall
State Senator Liz Krueger spoke about her work in Albany on behalf of the neighborhood and told the room that ours is her favorite district. She also spoke about her efforts to keep casino gambling out of Manhattan.
She also spoke about the LED sign on West 54th Street: “I don’t have a state role, but anything I can do to support you in that, because that’s not okay. And apparently it’s in violation.” She offered her office’s help.
Many of the issues that shape daily life in the West 50s are decided in Albany, and it means a great deal to have a State Senator who knows our blocks and makes time to hear directly from the people who live on them. Thank you, Senator Krueger, for joining us.
Ben Lowenstein, representing Council Member Carl Wilson (District 3), said the Council Member’s office is there to serve the community and invited residents to reach out with their concerns. He also gave an update on the City Council’s recent horse carriage vote.
Quality-of-life issues — from sanitation and street safety to noise pollution — often start with a call to a Council Member’s office. We encourage members to take Ben up on his invitation and stay in touch with the District 3 team on the issues that matter on their blocks.
Brice Peyre, representing Council Member Virginia Maloney (District 4), reported on the office’s work with the Association on a noise camera for Seventh Avenue, and on the results on West 56th Street, where the Council Member’s office pressed the Sanitation Department on the bike rental shop and Con Edison on the long-running street work.
The West 50s spans more than one Council district, so strong relationships with both offices matter. We’re grateful to Council Member Maloney and her team for joining us and for their continued engagement with our community.
More Neighbors, More Reach
Treasurer Jacob van Winkle invited guests to join the Association and take part in its work. He noted that events like this one depend on support from neighbors, and asked those who can to make a donation.
The Association is run by volunteers. Donations fund our advocacy on quality of life, safety and historic preservation, and they make gatherings like this one possible. The more neighbors who join, the stronger our voice before community board, city agencies and elected officials.
From the Businesses on Our Blocks
We were glad to welcome several neighborhood businesses: Queen Maeve, Il Gattopardo, Mozzarella & Vino and Myzel’s Chocolates. Thank you for your support. And a special thank you to The Whitby Hotel for hosting us.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to seeing you at our MoMA Neighborhood Holiday Reception on December 16.