Newsrack Enforcement
CIVITAS is a vocal advocate for regulating the proliferating nuisance of abandoned, vandalized, and poorly maintained newsrack boxes on sidewalks and busy street corners.
SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newsracks/
We are working closely with many other civic organizations throughout New York City to ensure compliance with the newsrack law of 2002, which was amended in 2004 to eliminate the requirement to maintain dirt and graffiti free newsracks. The current regulations for publishers as well as a complete list of violations can be found on the NYC Department of Transportation’s newsrack website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/newsracksintro.shtml
These multiboxes (Madison Avenue BID, left and 34th Street Partnership, right) illustrate a clean alternative to the free standing news boxes that are often neglected.
We encourage you to urge NYC Council Member James Vacca (The Bronx, District 13), chair of the NYC Council Transportation Committee, to schedule an oversight hearing to address the burgeoning problem of increased numbers and poor maintenance of newsracks:
- Sign our online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newsracks/
- Write a letter, (Click here for a sample letter). Be sure to carbon copy your local council members and:
NYC Council Member James Vacca
250 Broadway
Suite 1749
New York, NY 10007
212-788-7375
jvacca@council.nyc.ny.us
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Scott M. Stringer
Manhattan Borough President
1 Centre Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10007
bp@manhattanbp.org
Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan
NYC Department of Transportation
40 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
jsadikkhan@dot.nyc.gov
NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn
250 Broadway
Suite 1856
New York, New York 10007
(212) 788-7210
quinn@council.nyc.gov
Report newsrack violations by calling 311 or on 311 online (on.nyc.gov/311newsracks)
To report violations by calling 311:
State the location, address, or intersection
- The complaint will go to the NYC Dept. of Transportation – DOT is responsible for street furniture.
- Describe the violation, i.e.:
1) “The boxes are in a bus stop, which is illegal.”
2) “The A-1 Box has been on the city streets for 1 & 1/2 years and has never been filled.”
- Make note of the confirmation number so that you can follow up.
CIVITAS in the News:
July 2011
DNAinfo.com “Group Blasts Learning Annex Boxes as a Sidewalk Blight”
Wall Street Journal “Much Ado About boxes” and CIVITAS’ Letter to the Editor
National Public Radio WFUV “Upper West Siders Fight to Rid Streets of Dirty Newspaper Boxes”
DNAinfo.com “Upper West Siders Join Battle Against Grimy Newspaper Boxes”
April 2011
Watch a video of Executive Director Hunter Armstrong discussing the newsrack issue on WPIX11 News.
March 2011
DNAinfo.com “Upper East Siders Battle Newspaper Boxes”
Our Town Letter to the Editor “Tidier Newsracks”
Additional Resources:
Community Resolutions and Letters of Support:
Association of Residential Boards – 2012
Historic Districts Council – 2012
Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) – 2012
Elected Officials and Community Boards:
Council Member Gale Brewer, Manhattan District 6 – 2013
Council Member James Vacca, Transportation Committee Chair – 2012
Manhattan Borough Board – 2011
Manhattan CB1 (Lower Manhattan) – 2011
Manhattan CB2 (Greenwich Village) – 2011
Manhattan CB7 (Upper West Side) – 2006 and 2011
Manhattan CB8 (Upper East Side) – 2006 and 2011
Manhattan CB11 (East Harlem) – 2011
Read more about our Newsrack Enforcement Initiatives in the spring 2008 issue of CIVITAS News: Taming the Newsrack Monster
