PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Corey Coons, Senior Vice President of Operations at Hudson Square Business Improvement District, on Containerization Requirements
1:59:37
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129 sec
Corey Coons from the Hudson Square Business Improvement District (BID) expresses concerns about new containerization requirements in New York City. He highlights the potential financial and operational burdens these requirements could place on BIDs across the city, particularly in light of the ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The BID supports the goal of reducing bags on streets but worries about the impact of new containerization mandates on their operations.
- Coons warns that increased costs could force them to cease providing supplemental sanitation services, potentially resulting in dirtier sidewalks and overflowing trash cans.
- He emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean streets as the district welcomes new office tenants and sees increasing pedestrian traffic.
Joseph Antonelli
1:59:37
Good afternoon.
1:59:37
I'm Corey Coons, the senior vice president of operations for the Hudson Square Business Improvement District.
1:59:42
Since 2009, we've overseen the transformation of Manhattan's former printing district into a thriving creative hub.
1:59:48
The area we manage is generally bounded by Clarkson Street in the North, 6th Avenue in the East, Canal Street in the South, and West Street in the West.
1:59:56
I'm here today to comment on the new containerization requirements in New in New York City.
2:00:00
Legislation being discussed today increases the penalties for failure to store waste in the required receptacles and at mandated times on the streets or sidewalks prior to collection by DSNY.
2:00:11
While we understand and support the public policy to get bags off the street and have actively participated in the Clean Curbs program to reduce bags in our district, we are concerned with how containerization efforts will impact bids will impact bids.
2:00:24
Over the last 2 years, DSNY has expressed to us and our colleagues that organizations like ours will no longer be able to bag public garbage and leave it on the street for DSNY to collect.
2:00:35
Instead, we will be expected to cart garbage through DSNY garage or purchase enough containers throughout the neighborhood to store bags awaiting pickup by DSNY.
2:00:43
This approach would be a huge financial and operation burden for bid for HS bid and all bids across the city.
2:00:49
Unlike other bids that focus mostly on sanitation and security, we were founded to implement streetscape improvements to make Hudson Square a place that prioritizes people over vehicles.
2:00:58
We started supplemental sanitation services in the fall of 2020 because of service reductions at DSMY during the COVID 19 pandemic to keep our district attractive and welcoming as we're trying to lure office workers and visitors back to the neighborhood.
2:01:12
In the case of our bid, we are concerned these financial penalties and exorbitant costs to comply with this new mandate could force us to cease providing supplemental sanitation services entirely, which would result in the overflowing trash cans and dirtier city sidewalks.
2:01:25
The timing of this requirement is particularly concerning as our central business district is finally recovering from the economic decline caused by COVID 19.
2:01:33
Pedestrian traffic is currently increasing as we welcome new major office tenants to the district.
2:01:37
With more foot traffic also comes more public garbage.
2:01:40
While we support and appreciate the important goals of containerization, we look forward to working with the city.
