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  • Monday 6/3: East River Park Town Hall

    The City has a $1.4 billion plan to bulldoze East River Park and add 8-10 feet of landfill in order to protect the East Village and Lower East Side from rising sea level and storm surges. The park would be closed for at least 3-1/2 years starting in 2020.

    • Existing landscape bulldozed.
    • Amphitheater razed.
    • Entire park raised 8-10 feet with landfill.
    • Playing fields and facilities rebuilt.
    • New pedestrian bridges.

    In order for residents to learn about the plan and possible alternatives, and to ask questions directly of the City officials in charge of the project, Grand Street Democrats is hosting a Town Hall next week:

    Monday, June 3, 7:00 pm
    Manny Cantor Center, 197 East Broadway

    If you have time, there is material available online for you to review before the Town Hall:

    Please try to make it. This project will have a huge impact on our neighborhood.

  • GSD Resolution on Party Registration Deadline

    Adopted at regular meeting 5/16/19.

    Grand Street Democrats supports New York State Committee Members in their efforts to move the deadline for Democratic party registration for voters to 25 days before any primary.

    Update: One of our State Committee Members, Chris Marte, let us know this morning that he will be voting for the “Let All Democrats Vote Amendment” at today’s State Committee meeting. He sent us a fuller explanation of the rules change, which is included below:

    This amendment would change the “Primary Participation” section (Part Two, Section A, 2) of the NYSDC 2020 Delegate Selection Plan and would guarantee that all New York voters who apply to join the Democratic Party at least 25 days before the 2020 Presidential Primary get to vote in that Primary. As currently written, this section states that participation in the Presidential Primary will be limited to New York voters who have enrolled in the Democratic Party by October 11, 2019, which is over six months in advance of the Presidential Primary, and the longest waiting period in the entire nation. 

    It is critical that we pass this amendment for several reasons:

    • The draft delegate selection plan does not comply with the DNC Delegate Selection Rules.
      • The “Primary Participation” section of our delegate selection plan does not meet the requirement that State Parties are to do everything in their power to guarantee a change of party enrollment deadline no earlier than the voter registration deadline of 25 days in New York.
      • DNC Rule 2, Section J requires State Parties to ensure “an open and inclusive process” in the selection of convention delegates by “revising State Party rules and encouraging administrative rules, legislation, or considering litigation to… allow voters to switch parties at least as late as the deadline for registering to vote.”
      • DNC Rule 2, Section C requires State Parties to take “all feasible steps” to eliminate excessively long waiting periods for voters to change their enrollment status, including revising Party rules.
    • If the State Committee does not amend its delegate plan and fix this problem, it could cost NY delegates and money.
      • DNC Rule 21, Section C(6) states that the DNC may take action against State Parties that have “failed or refused to comply” with the DNC rules by reducing the size of the NY Delegation to the National Convention, diminishing the voice of New York Democrats in the nomination process.
      • DNC Rule 22, Section C gives the DNC the power to force non-complying State Parties to pay for a private selection of delegates, which could cost the party millions of dollars.

    The “Let All Democrats Vote Amendment” not only brings New York in compliance with the DNC, but also meets the national average time required to change Party enrollment and matches New York’s new-voter enrollment deadline (of 25 days before the Primary). For the 2020 Presidential Election, it is critical that we pass this amendment and not miss the opportunity to capitalize on the energy of the Primary to build Party enrollment and to demonstrate the Party’s commitment to fundamental democratic values and fairness.

    Best,
    Chris

  • GSD Resolution on East River Park Draft EIS

    Adopted at regular meeting 5/16/19.

    The East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project is “designed to reduce the risk of floods from coastal storm surges and/or flooding from high-intensity rainfall events.” (The full draft environmental impact statement prepared by the City is available here.)

    The City’s $1.4 billion proposal would bulldoze three miles of shoreline parks from Montgomery to 25th St., add landfill, and raise the entire park 8-10 feet as a flood wall against the East River. Construction would start in March 2020 and last 3½ years, by the City’s estimate. Nearly seven years after Superstorm Sandy, the City has no plan for flood protection before the project is complete.

    The City’s plan is problematic and needs to be reconsidered.

    1. The environmental impact of the construction project would be devastating, with all existing trees and other plant life destroyed and the loss of significant park components such as the Seal Park and the FDR-era amphitheater.
    2. Construction will close more than 60 acres of parkland along the East River without any plan to replace this vital recreation space during the time of construction.
    3. The City’s track record with large-scale construction projects, in particular those at East River Park, offer no assurances that construction (and loss of park use) will last only 3½ years.
    4. The City has provided no independent engineering review of the necessity of its proposed plan or comparative feasibility of other plans.
    5. After years of delay from the City, residents are now rushed to approve this plan based on an upcoming deadline of initial funding from the Federal government.
    6. Nearly seven years after Sandy, the City still has no plan for immediate flood protection.

    We recommend the following:

    1. Commit to any East River Park construction in stages so that parts of the park are kept open and usable for the duration of the project.
    2. Work immediately with our Congressional representatives to extend the deadline to spend Federal funds, and delay the approval of this project, so that the ESCR review process is not rushed.
    3. Convene an independent panel of engineering specialists to review the City’s current plan and proposed alternatives like East River Alliance’s recommendation to extend the park over the FDR Drive. Expert panels have either reviewed or been proposed for large-scale construction projects on the L Train, BQE, and East Side Connector; the Lower East Side deserves the same consideration.
    4. Provide immediate flood protection, even if short-term. There are many types of deployable barriers that could be used to protect the Lower East Side from storm surges while a long-term solution is thoroughly explored.
    5. Commit to other plans to mitigate the impact of loss of park access, including providing transportation to alternate fields, investing in playgrounds and parks in the neighborhoods adjacent to East River Park, and designating alternate protected bike lanes as part of the East River Greenway
    6. Preserve and repurpose existing historical and landscape components of the park.

  • GSD Resolution on M14 Service Cuts

    Adopted at regular meeting 5/16/19.

    In March, the MTA surprised our local Community Board with a plan to cut 40% of the M14A and M14D stops below 14th Street — 50% of the M14A stops below Delancey Street.

    In the two months since then, Grand Street Democrats engaged diverse community groups, participated in protests, collected petition signatures from our neighbors, spoke out on TV, plastered social media, showed up at community meetings, rallied our local elected officials, and won significant improvements to the MTA’s plan for seniors, students, and people with disabilities.

    In addition to the work of our own District Leaders and members, there is credit to go around:

    • All of our elected officials — from City Council up to Congress — rallied against the MTA’s proposed cuts and supported community members’ demands to restore all local stops to the M14 bus route.
    • Jose Ortiz and the members of The Senior Advocacy Leadership Team (SALT), who started a petition that collected 5000 signatures and organized a successful May Day rally and march for seniors on Grand Street to protest the bus service cuts.
    • Daisy Paez, our next-door-neighbor District Leader, who rallied neighbors on the streets and online, stood up at community meetings, and led the May Day rally on Grand Street.

    There is also still a lot to keep fighting to change:

    • The MTA made no attempt to reach out to the community before announcing its proposed service cuts.
    • The MTA “open house” meetings were designed not to encourage but to stifle community input.
    • Proposed service cuts were based on agenda-driven metrics, not community needs.
    • Our neighborhood is still losing two stops south of Delancey. Those most in need of convenient public transportation have to settle for a compromise victory.
    • While the purported goal of service cuts was to speed up M14 buses, NYC Department of Transportation still has no plan to mitigate traffic on Grand Street, which is the biggest factor in slow bus speeds below Delancey.
    • Our neighbors above Delancey have lost even more local stops on the M14A and M14D bus routes because of the MTA’s misguided approach to transit policy in the East Village and Lower East Side.

  • Good news: M14A local stops restored in latest plan

    In March, the MTA surprised our local Community Board with a plan to cut 40% of the M14A and M14D stops below 14th Street — 50% of the M14A stops below Delancey Street.

    In the two months since then, Grand Street Democrats engaged diverse community groups, participated in protests, collected petition signatures from our neighbors, spoke out on TV, plastered social media, showed up at community meetings, rallied our local elected officials, and won significant improvements to the MTA’s plan for seniors, students, and people with disabilities.

    The MTA initially presented a plan cutting four out of eight stops south of Delancey. In the final plan presented to CB3 on Tuesday, two stops have been restored. The result is still a disappointing reduction in local service, but is so much more reasonable than what was initially proposed that we have to take this as a victory of community action.

    • The first stop we are losing is at Cherry & Jackson, which is the closest stop for many people in Vladeck Houses. But the stop on Madison & Jackson is just around the corner and less than one block away.
    • The other stop we are losing is the one in front of CVS on Grand Street between East Broadway and Willet. Riders will have to walk to Columbia or Pitt.
    • In addition, the stop currently between Suffolk and Norfolk will be moved east to Clinton Street, which is midway between Pitt and Essex, better balancing the stops along this stretch of Grand St.

    The final plan has not yet been posted online.

  • Sunday 5/19: Discussion with Rep. Jerrold Nadler

    As chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler is playing a central role in Congressional hearings, subpoenas, and investigations resulting from the Mueller Report.

    On Sunday, May 19, 3:00 – 5:00 pm we have a chance to attend a moderated discussion with Rep. Nadler at Little Red Schoolhouse (40 Charlton Street).

    The event is free but RSVP is required.

  • Local electeds all agree: Save our local M14 bus stops!

    Our Congressmembers, State reps, and Councilmembers are all on the same page as local seniors and neighborhood transit advocates: the MTA’s planned service cuts along the M14A and M14D bus lines are a big mistake.

    After weeks of protests, the MTA presented local stakeholders with a new plan that preserves an additional stop on Grand Street, but we are still pushing for more, and our elected representatives are on our side.

    This letter was sent Wednesday to NYC Transit and NYC DOT, signed by:

    • Congressmember Carolyn Maloney
    • Congressmember Nydia Velázquez
    • State Senator Brian Kavanagh
    • State Senator Brad Hoylman
    • Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou
    • Assemblymember Harvey Epstein
    • Councilmember Carlina Rivera
    • Councilmember Margaret Chin
    • Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer

    In it, they call for keeping all stops along Grand Street, including the stop at Cherry and Jackson which services residents of Vladeck Houses. They also point out that traffic along Grand Street still needs to be addressed if bus speeds are really a priority for DOT.

  • Postcards to Virginia this Saturday in Seward

    Our friends at Sister District have been helping Democrats flip state legislative seats across the country. Our local chapter has helped win seats in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and Grand Street Dems members have helped make phone calls, write postcards, and have even traveled to Pennsylvania to canvass for candidates last year.

    In 2019, Sister District volunteers from NYC are again targeting Virginia, where a Democratic state legislature is within reach. With no New York races this year, Sister District’s Virginia campaign gives us a chance to stay engaged in Democratic campaigns.

    Join Grand Street volunteers this Saturday for a postcard party in Seward Coop — Saturday, May 11, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. RSVP online to get the apartment number.

    RSVP for Saturday

  • Thursday 5/16, 6:30 pm: GSD Spring Meeting

    Please join us next Thursday 5/16 at 6:30 for our 2019 Spring Meeting.

    GSD SPRING MEETING
    Thursday, May 16, 6:30 pm
    Seward Coop Community Room
    266 East Broadway

    We will welcome Assemblymember Dan Quart who will update us on criminal justice reform legislation passed in Albany. Quart has also been a vocal and public critic of Manhattan D.A. Cy Vance and many of the policies of his office.

    We will also have updates about three important local topics: M14 service cuts, East River Park rebuilding, and traffic mitigation on Grand Street. Elected officials are actively looking for more community input on these issues, so we will be voting on resolutions to express our support for certain goals.

    We will also announce results of our first 2020 Presidential Straw Poll.

    See you next week!

  • MTA’s Sham Meeting Was a Disgrace

    Sign the Petition
    Leave a Comment
    Send a Tweet

    Last night’s MTA public meeting on planned M14A/D service cuts was not what we were expecting, and not what this neighborhood deserves.

    The MTA had no program or presentation, refused to put out more than six chairs for scores of seniors who showed up, and claimed the room was at capacity in order to keep even more people waiting outside in the cold. If we hadn’t been there to see it, we wouldn’t have believed it.

    This wasn’t outreach, this was a disgrace.

    What’s worse, it was clear that decisions have already been made to cut local bus service while actively discouraging any meaningful input by our affected community. This is a neighborhood that needs more bus service, not less. The MTA doesn’t want to hear it.

    You can see what the MTA is planning on its website.

    • We welcome the addition of Select Bus Service (SBS), which will make longer trips to Union Square and the west side quicker. All-door boarding in itself is a big plus.
    • But by eliminating 40% of our local stops entirely, the MTA is creating unnecessary new challenges for seniors, people with disabilities, parents with small children, and kids who use the bus to get to and from school.

    We need to make sure that the MTA and our elected officials know how we feel about these local service cuts right away if we are going to have any chance to keep the service we need. While we try to get another meeting scheduled — a real meeting this time — here are three things you can do right now:

    1. Sign this petition started by the Senior Advocacy Leadership Team (SALT).
    2. Leave a comment for the MTA on its website.
    3. Send a tweet to our local elected officials.

    We’ll let you know what happens next.

    In solidarity,

    Caroline Laskow
    Lee Berman