NYC restores alternate-side parking and commits $11 million to clean the streets

Mayor Eric Adams and the new Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch plan to invest $11 million to clean New York City streets and bike lanes. The city will also restore alternate-side parking starting July 5. 

The alternate-side parking was partially suspended at the beginning of the pandemic, and drivers were required to move their vehicles only once a week. Now, New Yorkers will have to move their cars twice a week to allow DSNY workers to clean the streets. 

“Environmental justice begins at the street level, and clean streets are vital to vibrant neighborhoods and our city’s economic recovery,” said DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “The nearly 10,000 DSNY employees — and I’m proud to count myself as one of them — are excited to be getting more of the tools we need to do our job of keeping the city healthy, safe, and clean.”

The $11 million investment is a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 executive budget, which will be released later this month. Aside from a full restoration of alternate-side parking, the funding will also go towards equipment and personnel to clean protected bike lanes and other narrow infrastructures. 

The pandemic caused more people to switch from public transit to driving a car. The number of vehicles registered in New York City between August and October of 2020 jumped 37 percent, the New York Times reports. The increase in car ownership makes it harder for New Yorkers to find a vacant parking spot. According to Erik Bottcher, the NYC Council member, some people would rather get a ticket than move their car.

“Friends have confided to me that they never move their car, because 4 tickets a month is far cheaper than a monthly garage. So the streets don’t get swept,” Bottcher tweeted.

The alternate-side parking will be restored in less than 12 weeks, which means drivers will have to pay two times more for illegally parking their vehicles on the streets. The $11 million investment is an Earth Week commitment to lower the city’s carbon footprint and bring it one step closer to fighting climate change. 

Resources:

“NYC restores alternate-side parking to clean streets and bike lanes,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“Mayor Adams Appoints Jessica Tisch as Commissioner of Department of Sanitation,” (NYC, 2022)

“Mayor Adams, Sanitation Commissioner Tisch Announce $11 Million Commitment for New Street Cleaning Initiatives,” (NYC, 2022)

“City allocates $11 million to make streets cleaner and improve mobility,” by Bill Parry (amNY, 2022)

“New York Revives Its Alternate-Side Parking Ritual. Cue the Outrage,” by  Dana Rubinstein and Emma G. Fitzsimmons (The New York Times, 2022)

“Why the Fight Over Parking in New York Is ‘Like the Hunger Games’,” by Christina Goldbaum (The New York Times, 2021)

“NYC alternate side parking change: drivers will soon need to move cars twice a week,” by Aliza Chasan (WPIX-11, 2022)