PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Pedro Suarez, Executive Director of Third Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) on Containerization Challenges in the South Bronx
3:04:57
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99 sec
Pedro Suarez, Executive Director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) in the South Bronx, testifies about the challenges of implementing containerization in his district. He cautions against underestimating the difficulties faced by small BIDs in areas like the South Bronx, highlighting issues such as stolen bins, illegal dumping, and limited storage options.
- The BID faces unique problems including street vendor waste, residential tenant dumping, overnight industrial waste dumping, and issues with homeless encampments.
- Permanent street containerization would cost the BID 25,000 to 50,000, over 10% of their annual city funding.
- Existing containers have attracted quality of life issues, including homeless encampments, defecation, illegal dumping, and drug use.
Pedro Suarez
3:04:57
Good afternoon.
3:04:58
My name is Pedro Suarez, executive director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District, also known as the HUB, which is located in the South Bronx.
3:05:04
I represent a community of over 300 businesses over 18 block faces in one of the most heavily trafficked bids in the city.
3:05:11
I respectfully caution the city to not underestimate the rollout of containerization in small bids.
3:05:16
Examples of successful containerization in some communities in Manhattan do not reflect the challenges in communities in the South Bronx.
3:05:23
For example, bins and litter baskets are sold.
3:05:26
Bid bags are not the only bags left on the street.
3:05:29
My bid has issues with street vendors, residential tenants, and other individuals regularly leaving bags and dumping trash and cardboard that my staff have to address.
3:05:37
We have issues with the vehicles overnight regularly dumping trash, industrial waste, such as toilets, air conditioners, planks of wood, and more.
3:05:44
We have issues with homeless encampments and individuals regularly defecating on the street.
3:05:48
We have pictures of all these scenarios.
3:05:50
Permanent street containerization in my bid would cost anywhere between 25,000 to 50,000 over 10% of our annual city funding.
3:05:57
We already have one set of 8 containers, also known as city bins, and these containers have attracted quality of life issues, including homeless encampments, defecation, illegal dumping, and drug use.
3:06:08
Wheeled out containers are not an option as the bid has very limited options for storage.
3:06:13
Most recently, we conducted a walk through with council member Rafael Salamanca and DSNY commissioner Tisch to discuss challenges around illegal dumping, and there is a need for additional DSNY cameras to conduct illegal dumping investigations.
3:06:25
I look forward to further conversations with SBS, DSNY, DOT, elected officials, and the mayor's office to create implementation strategy that is responsive to the needs of my district and the people of the South Bronx.
3:06:35
Thank you.
