The recent storm caused a great deal of damage in our area. Have you incurred any problems? Let us know. Contact us at throggsneckbid@gmail.com. Also contact us with any other relevant government-services concerns.
Author: Frank V
NYC has announced the start of a new No-Penalty Business Accessory Sign Inspection Program. This initiative allows small business owners to obtain free inspections, without risk of penalty, to determine if they comply with City safety regulations.
Beginning July 31st until September 15th, 2020, the Department of Buildings will start accepting business accessory sign inspection requests from small business owners. For the first time, DOB is offering to inspect business signage at no cost and without penalty.
During the inspection, DOB’s team will come out and verify that business accessory signs comply with City regulations and are safely installed. Small business owners can take advantage of these no penalty inspections and avoid issues later by bringing their signs up to code if any deficiencies are found. Those interested in the No-Penalty Business Accessory Sign Inspection Program can contact 311 to set up an appointment.
As part of a moratorium from February 9, 2019 until February 9, 2021, the Department will not issue violations for business signs that existed on or before February 9, 2019, unless the sign is not eligible for the moratorium for reasons such as being an imminent threat to public health or safety. Businesses are encouraged to contact 311 to have their signs inspected to determine whether they comply with applicable regulations before the end of this moratorium to potentially avoid receiving future violations for signs that are not in compliance.
DOB will continue to respond to 311 complaints about signs to determine whether a business’ sign is compliant or eligible for this moratorium.
For more information, go to Business Accessory Sign Moratorium
Over the weekend, the tree pits enhanced by the Throggs Neck BID with mulch and flora were further improved with additional plantings. The work is part of our effort, done at considerable expense, to make this area a better place to do business, shop, work and live.
But a problem has arisen. Those same small oases have, in some spots, been used by some as a place to intentionally drop trash. We’re not pointing out the casual, wind-blown piece of paper, but litter purposefully disposed of. Some have even left bags of garbage on them.
These mini-gardens are not just costly to create. They require maintenance, as well, which the Throggs Neck Bid provides. But even the most careful attention and care cannot prevent purposeful vandalism.
We need to come together as a community to make our neighborhood the best it can be. Please enjoy these beautiful spots, and help keep them clean. We also request that, although we do provide watering services, if you see a tree pit with plantings that seem unusually dry during these 90 degree plus days, please provide some extra hydration for them.
Less than eight months old, the Throggs Neck BID has already received rave reviews for its extraordinary accomplishments.
One of the BID’s goals was to make the area a more attractive place to shop. In its most recent issue, the Bronx Times Reporter noted:
“Amidst the doom and gloom of COVID-19, stores shuttering and racial tension, the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District (BID) is doing its best to keep the community appealing. Over the weekend, the BID had a landscaping company take weeds out, and put down red mulch down and 78 tree pits. BID Director Bobby Jaen said this took place from Bruckner Avenue to Miles Avenue and the last step in the process will be putting plants in the tree pits.”
Photo: Bronx Times Reporter
On July 22, Community Board 10 held a public meeting (via internet) to discuss the NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Road Diet plan.
The proposal would cut lanes on a portion of East Tremont Avenue from four lanes to three, and would would further reduce driving space through the development of a dedicated bike lane.
The Throggs Neck BID, joined by an overwhelming number of participants at the meeting, including Councilmember Mark Gjonaj, vigorously opposed the plan. It would intentionally make driving slower and unintentionally more dangerous, since drivers would be forced to pass double parked vehicles by pulling into oncoming traffic. In a commercial area, double-parking by trucks making deliveries is inevitable, since stores and restaurants must get deliveries to stay in business.
The timing of the plan, which DOT seeks to implement late this summer, is particularly poor, since businesses already hurt by the COVID shutdown would be further detrimentally impacted.
DOT claimed their proposal would help reduce traffic accidents by reducing speeding, ignoring the fact that poor lighting is a key factor in safety. BID Executive Director Bob Jaen noted that numerous requests had been made to DOT for improved lighting, which would address safety issues, but the requests remain unfulfilled.
It became apparent at the meeting that DOT had not bothered to gather all the facts, including the location of speed cameras, and the impact on attached traffic areas.
It was also pointed out by Jaen that citywide, only 0.65% actually use bikes for transportation, and inconveniencing the other 99.35% by installing a bike lane made no sense whatsoever.
Despite the opposition of the residents, businesses, the BID, and elected officials, DOT remained determined to move ahead with their proposal, in defiance of all the above.
The BID is determined to fight on.
Check out the SBS NYC Business Reopening Guide and NYC Restaurant Reopening Guide to find out how you can safely reopen your non-essential business.
If you have any questions, call the SBS hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). You can also visit nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com and search for “Reopening Guidelines” to sign up for an upcoming webinar to learn about State requirements, recommendations, and resources available to help businesses reopen in NYC. Upcoming workshops are available in Spanish.
REMINDER! THE COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING IS TONIGHT!
To listen-in, dial (646) 992-2010 and enter access key 1299536826 when prompted.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has a proposal that may have a negative impact on businesses, residents and shoppers within the Throggs Neck BID.
DOT is seeking to implement a “road diet” plan, which will reduce driving lanes on East Tremont Avenue from the Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road to Harding Avenue, and Harding Avenue from Emerson Avenue to Pennyfield Avenue, from four lanes to three. Drivable space will be even further reduced due to the development of a bike lane.
Community Board 10 had announced its opposition when a similar proposal was announced (and unfortunately implemented) on the portion of East Tremont Avenue from Bruckner to Westchester Square. Our neighboring community, Morris Park, successfully fought against a “road diet” plan that DOT attempted to implement in their area.
Some cities, such as Gainesville in Florida, adopted road diet proposals than subsequently abandoned them.
On 2015, Steve Lopez wrote in The Los Angeles Times:
“Road diet’ is the operative term…everything you do — from commuting, to running errands, to taking the kids to school — will be affected for decades to come. As…David Zahniser wrote, ‘The goal is to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians while also luring more people out of their cars.’…Critics are crying about pollution from idling vehicles, potential emergency vehicle delays, accident risks and new headaches as motorists cut through residential streets to avoid road-diet backups. A Westside nonprofit called Fix the City has sued to overturn the plan, which won City Council approval in August by a 12-2 vote.”
The idea of discouraging vehicular traffic through road diet plans will not work well in a community such as ours. Those who frequent our shops and restaurants, overwhelmingly, use cars, and that is highly unlikely to change.
Community Board 10 has scheduled a CISCO WEBEX virtual meeting where you can listen-in. It will be on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30 P.M. To listen-in, dial (646) 992-2010 and enter access key 1299536826 when prompted. Since it is a conference call, you will be muted by the host so that the presentation can occur. It is a committee meeting where we may not be able to get each person’s question and/or comment.
Categories
COVID Impact Study
The Bronx Chamber has been working on gathering data of the impact on Bronx businesses pre and post covid19. They ask for your support to make sure their data is accurate. This data will provide the information needed by all of us to secure funding, work with our elected officials, and also to determine where we can best serve the borough businesses as a whole. The Chamber has received many request from City, State, and Federal agencies wanting to know this information.
The Chamber is respectfully urging you to please make every effort possible to fill out the survey. The survey is in various languages. They understand there is some resistance from businesses as their time is focused on getting their businesses back up and running, but this data will eventually help your districts and businesses by bringing much needed resources to our neighborhood.
The survey takes about 5-8 minutes. They have a team going to some businesses with their laptops to assist some merchants to complete the survey. They look forward to your support.
Link to survey: https://manhattan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8IKOjwelkgZn40Z
Categories
Federal SBA Debt Relief
Overview
As part of its coronavirus debt relief efforts, the SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest, and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current 7(a), 504, and Microloans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. This relief is not available for Paycheck Protection Program loans or Economic Injury Disaster loans. Borrowers do not need to apply for this assistance. It will be automatically provided as follows:
- For loans not on deferment, SBA will begin making payments with the next payment due on the loan and will make six monthly payments.
- For loans currently on deferment, SBA will begin making payments with the next payment due after the deferment period has ended, and will make six monthly payments.
- For loans made after March 27, 2020 and fully disbursed prior to September 27, 2020, SBA will begin making payments with the first payment due on the loan and will make six monthly payments.
SBA has notified 7(a), 504 and Microloan Lenders that it will pay these borrower loan payments. Lenders have been instructed to refrain from collecting loan payments from borrowers. If a borrower’s payment was collected after March 27, 2020, lenders were instructed to inform the borrower that they have the option of having the loan payment returned by the lender or applying the loan payment to further reduce the loan balance after SBA’s payment.
Borrowers should contact their lender if they have any questions regarding this payment relief.
Additional Debt Relief
For current SBA Serviced Disaster (Home and Business) Loans: If your disaster loan was in “regular servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the SBA is providing automatic deferments through December 31, 2020.
What does an “automatic deferral” mean to borrowers?
- Interest will continue to accrue on the loan.
- 1201 monthly payment notices will continue to be mailed out which will reflect the loan is deferred and no payment is due.
- The deferment will NOT cancel any established Preauthorized Debit (PAD) or recurring payments on your loan. Borrowers that have established a PAD through Pay.Gov or an OnLine Bill Pay Service are responsible for canceling these recurring payments. Borrowers that had SBA establish a PAD through Pay.gov will have to contact their SBA servicing office to cancel the PAD.
- Borrowers preferring to continue making regular payments during the deferment period may continue remitting payments during the deferment period. SBA will apply those payments normally as if there was no deferment.
- After this automatic deferment period, borrowers will be required to resume making regular principal and interest payments. Borrowers that cancelled recurring payments will need to reestablish the recurring payment.
If you have questions about your current loan and whether or not your loan is automatically deferred, please contact your Loan Servicing Office directly using the following information:
- Birmingham Disaster Loan Servicing Center:
- Phone: 800-736-6048
- Email: BirminghamDLSC@sba.gov
- El Paso Disaster Loan Servicing Center:
- Phone: 800-487-6019
- Email: ElPasoDLSC@sba.gov
Lender Guidance
Procedural Notice: Implementation of Section 1112 of the CARES Act, Subsidy for Certain Loan Payments, for the 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs (4-16-20)
Procedural Notice: Additional Guidance on the Implementation of Section 1112 of the CARES Act, Subsidy for Certain Loan Payments, for the 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs (4-29-20)
Procedural Notice: Guidance on SBA’s Implementation of Section 1112 of the CARES Act Related to the SBA Microloan Program (4-16-20)
Procedural Notice: Guidance on Establishing Maturities of New 7(a) Loans Eligible to Receive Payments under Section 1112 of the CARES Act
Procedural Notice: Guidance on Establishing Maturities of New Microloans Eligible to Receive Payments under Section 1112 of the CARES Act
Categories
COVID-19 Stop Work Orders
Beginning July 8, 2020, construction sites that do not follow COVID-19 safety guidance by failing to have a Safety Plan and/or affirmation posted conspicuously and available for inspection or failing to have at least one hand washing or hand sanitizing facility will be issued a Stop Work Order (SWO). A portal will be available in DOB NOW: Safety to submit SWO Rescind Requests.
SWO Rescind Requests
To rescind a COVID-19 safety guidance SWO, the applicant of the permit associated with the complaint number uses an eFiling account to login at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. The eFiling account must be associated with the license/tracking number of the permit holder. Visit www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips if you need to create an eFiling account.
Once logged in, select the Safety portal and then Violations. From the Violations dashboard select +SWO Rescind Request. Search for the complaint number by the property address or BIN number. Only COVID-19 safety guidance SWOs will be found in this portal. For any other SWO, search the Buildings Information System (BIS) and contact the issuing unit with rescission requests.
Once the complaint number is selected, +Add it to the request. Only one complaint can be submitted per SWO rescind request application. On the General Information tab indicate that the violating condition(s) has been corrected. The requestor information will be pre-populated with the eFiling account information of the person logged in. Select Save to upload supporting documents showing the condition(s) was corrected in the Documents section. Then complete the Statements & Signature section. Select Save again so that the Submit button can be selected.
Once the request is submitted, the SWO will be rescinded and a confirmation email will be sent to the permit holder. The status will be updated in BIS and the permit holder should remove the paper SWO from the site.
Subsequent SWOs for Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Safety Guidance If another SWO is issued, a new rescind request can be submitted in DOB NOW: Safety once the condition(s) has been corrected. The submission will be reviewed by DOB staff and cannot be professionally certified.
OATH Summonses Related to COVID-19 Safety Guidance SWOs In addition to a SWO, OATH summonses issued will carry an initial penalty of $5,000. Continued noncompliance may result in additional summonses with accompanying civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each offense. Rescission of the SWO does not resolve the OATH Summons that relates to the SWO. A Certificate of Correction request must be submitted to the Department’s Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) to resolve the OATH summons. For forms and information about resolving an OATH summons or certifying correction, visit www.nyc.gov/aeu or call (212) 393-2405.