DOT says court order stalls Riverside Viaduct work
The city cannot change the Riverside Viaduct site or even visit it while a temporary restraining order remains in place, DOT told Manhattan CB12.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — dot update, parks committee highlights golf opening and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
DOT has marked an emergency lane and started outreach, but committee members said cars still block it every day — including, at times, NYPD vehicles.
The viaduct is stuck in court for now. DOT told the committee that litigation with the contractor is still active and that a judge issued a temporary restraining order while the city’s opposition is heard. Because of that legal fight, DOT said it cannot move ahead with changes at the site and is not conducting site visits. The agency said it is still opposing any future injunction that would limit the city’s ability to move the project forward and require the contractor to answer DOT’s default claims.
With construction paused, DOT pointed to one step it has taken on the ground: a formal emergency lane on the southbound side of the viaduct. Valerie Torchon, DOT’s community liaison, sent flyers to selected officials, the community board, local precincts, FDNY, and residents, and DOT said more flyers would be placed on cars nearby. The agency said it would speak with the 33rd Precinct about enforcement and keeping the lane clear.
Committee members said the lane is still blocked daily and stressed that an emergency lane means no parking at all. One member said residents had reported NYPD vehicles parked there and urged escalation if police are not following the rules. DOT replied that enforcement falls to NYPD, but said it would pass the reports to the precinct and keep talking. Members also floated affidavits or impact statements to support the city in court; DOT said it would raise that idea with DOT Legal if the request is sent by email.
Parks committee highlights golf opening and park capital needs
The parks update mixed ribbon cuttings with a much larger unfinished job. Parks and Cultural Affairs reported a golf course ribbon cutting, work to reopen Dolphin Park, and planned refurbishments for playgrounds and sports courts.
The committee’s biggest capital note concerned Warman Park’s retaining wall. Members said there had already been a $1.5 million allocation, but placed that against an estimated $20 million total need — a gap that shows how far the project still has to go.
That left the committee with two timelines at once. Some park improvements are already visible or scheduled, while the retaining wall remains a far heavier lift that will depend on much more funding before the full job can be done.
Minutes complaint raised in new business
A committee member said March meeting minutes had not been received and argued that left the committee out of compliance. The chair said the matter should be handled by email rather than in the meeting, and no vote was taken.
accountability
Inwood Hill group sets stewardship dates
Friends of Inwood Hill Park announced stewardship gatherings on May 17 and May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and said weekly sessions will continue through the growing season. Chris Whitney said the group is still working with Parks on renaming the Seaman Avenue entrance for Sally Fischer, while City Water Day on July 25 will absorb events postponed by rain.
memorial
Inwood Canoe Club starts summer kayaking
The Inwood Canoe Club said its free public kayaking program begins May 24 and will run Sunday mornings through Labor Day weekend. The club said 28 volunteers recently collected 28 bags of trash during a shoreline cleanup, and the next cleanup is set for June 6 near the boathouse south of Dyckman Marina.
memorial
Borough President staff outlines grants and services
Representatives from the Manhattan Borough President's Office briefed the committee on the 207 Street fire response, arts capital funding, nonprofit flash grants, accessibility work at 125th Street, immigration advocacy, and cultural programming. A community member added a separate concern: Manhattan no longer has a low-income veterinary clinic after an ACC clinic closure.
The borough office controls grants, capital priorities, and advocacy that can affect local nonprofits, transit access, and services.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb12 had 191 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEHispanic Society Museum & Library update: North Building renovation and potential acquisition of Boricua College building. Representatives of the Hispanic Society provided an update on the North Building renovation (delayed pending DCLA review) and reported a signed purchase agreement to acquire the Boricua College building, subject to due diligence. Committee members asked about intended uses, accessibility, and public information.
- GOVERNANCEResolution urging NYC Rent Guidelines Board to adopt a rent freeze and consider rent reductions for rent-stabilized apartments. The board considered and voted on a resolution urging the NYC Rent Guidelines Board to adopt a rent freeze and consider rent reductions for one- and two-year renewal leases commencing October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The resolution cited multiple affordability and hardship statistics. The vote passed with the committee chair abstaining due to a work-related conflict.
- GOVERNANCEBoard opposition builds to proposed Zeta high school expansion. The committee passed a resolution opposing a proposed Zeta charter high school expansion near 181st Street, citing effects on public school resources, traffic, land use, and neighborhood conditions. Student ambassadors and Youth and Education members also described safety, sidewalk, and resource concerns, and noted a student petition and upcoming related resolution work.
- GOVERNANCEGallery Gastro Bar hours request advances despite precinct opposition. Gallery Gastro Bar sought a method-of-operation change to stay open until 4:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the committee recommended approval with one abstention. The 34th Precinct strongly opposed the request because of repeated violence and resource strain, while a restaurant representative separately said prior concerns had been corrected and the business was trying to operate responsibly.
- GOVERNANCEPublic plaza noise resolution advances after revisions. Members debated a resolution on noise and permitted events in public plazas, including notice requirements, time limits, weekend scheduling limits, and enforcement language. The item was supported at committee level, later amended to refer to 'appropriate city agencies,' and passed with abstentions after some members argued for further revisions.
- GOVERNANCEBeauty Justice Act: request for committee support. An environmental justice advocate requested committee support for the Beauty Justice Act, which would ban specified toxic chemicals in personal care products. The presenter stated the bill passed the State Senate and needs action in the Assembly and by the Governor; the committee voted to support it unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEMotion to Draft a Resolution on Enforcement and Accessibility Impacts (Aging/Disability Focus). Committee members discussed drafting a resolution addressing enforcement of quality-of-life issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities, including sidewalk e-bikes, blocked ramps, and related accessibility concerns. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, with a member volunteering to draft.
- GOVERNANCEElected officials report: NYC Comptroller’s Office housing investment initiative. A representative from the NYC Comptroller’s Office described a $4 billion housing investment initiative to finance affordable housing creation and preservation and residential conversions, using pension capital; board members asked about committee engagement, nomination opportunities, and the comptroller’s stance on pausing pension contributions.
- GOVERNANCENYPD 33rd Precinct report and committee discussion: crime stats, deployments, noise complaints, community relations, and narcotics coordination. The 33rd Precinct commanding officer reported crime trends including zero homicides since August 2024, low robberies and burglaries, and ongoing issues with grand larceny and scams. Members raised concerns about officer demeanor, drug activity hotspots, and the need for better coordination and strategic planning.
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