Garbage trucks parked on E. 10th St. this past summer, above. (Courtesy Congressmember Carolyn Maloney’s Office)
BY THE VILLAGE SUN | Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia announced that the Sanitation garbage trucks that have been parking on E. 10th St. since last September have been relocated and are now temporarily stationed at Pier 42, right past the southern end of East River Park.
However, local community residents and politicians hope the relocation is, in fact, temporary — because the interim site is set to be redeveloped into a park next year.
“When New Yorkers want something done, they want it done yesterday,” de Blasio said, “which is why we’d like to thank our neighbors in the East Village for bearing with us while we found a new home for our Sanitation trucks. We heard their concerns and we’ve responded. Residents can once again enjoy the clean streets and sidewalks that the Department of Sanitation provides without obstruction.”
Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia added, “The Sanitation Department provides timely essential services like snow removal and collection to New York City residents. To do this, we must be near the neighborhoods we serve, and finding garage locations in the city’s tight real estate landscape has been a challenge. Parking on E. 10th St. was a matter of last resort, which is why we are happy to have been able to find a suitable alternative that allows us to continue our essential services.”
Prior to the relocation on Nov. 20, the Sanitation Department had parked several trucks near a department facility on E. 10th St. between First and Second Aves. after losing its Manhattan District 6 garage lease in Chelsea.
According to de Blasio, Sanitation trucks will be stationed at Pier 42, at Jackson St., until construction of a public park on the pier begins early next year.
The Sanitation Department continues to work on a long-term solution and placement for a District 6 garage, including a new proposed garage at the Brookdale Campus (Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and School of Health) location, at E. 25th St. and First Ave.
“I am happy that the Department of Sanitation is providing the residents and small businesses of E. 10th St. with relief from the garbage trucks that have impacted their quality of life for more than a year,” said Councilmember Carlina Rivera. “But as the park we fought for and secured at Pier 42 begins development in 2020, I look forward to working with the city to find an appropriate, more permanent location for these trucks.”
On Nov. 2, state Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Deborah Glick introduced legislation to ban overnight garbage truck parking on residential streets citywide.
The legislation was introduced more than 14 months after Sanitation vehicles began parking nightly on E. 10th St., a primarily residential street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. every night and all day on Sundays. In addition to residents’ complaints, bars and businesses on the block were also negatively impacted by the hulking and odoriferous vehicles.
“The sweet smell of success!” Hoylman said. “Thanks to the work of neighbors, the community board and elected officials, including Mayor de Blasio, the Sanitation Department has finally moved their garbage trucks off this residential block in the East Village to a more suitable location. Hopefully, life will resume to normal for the residents and small businesses along E. 10th St. who’ve been dealing with this stinky situation for over a year.”
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