Technical Assistance - 72nd Street Partners and their Roles

Of course, none of RAP's success would have been possible without the participation of the building owners, merchants, neighbors, and friends and supporters of LW!. In addition, the following agencies and organizations were instrumental:

The New York City Council is the legislative branch of city government. As an equal partner with the Mayor in governing New York City, the Council approves the City's budget, has decision-making powers over land use issues, and oversight powers over City agencies. (212) 788-7100

The Department of Buildings (DOB) enforces provisions of the Building Code and Zoning Resolution that govern, among other things, signage in and around public parks and highways where visual clutter has significantly increased, causing unsightly, and in many cases, unsafe, situations. (212) 227-7000

The City Planning Commission/Department of City Planning drafts and amends the NYC Zoning Resolution. In addition to governing building bulk and use regulations, the Resolution regulates signage and awnings and the type of information that is allowed to appear on each. The Commission also determines parking and sidewalk cafe regulations. (212) 720-3300

Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is responsible for street, sewer, water main and most non-housing building construction funded by the capital budget. (718) 391-1000

The Department of Parks & Recreation protects the natural resources of the city's parks, in addition to overseeing the city's historic house museums. One of the Parks Department's numerous programs, Street Trees, plants trees free-of-charge on sidewalks in front of homes, apartment buildings, and businesses in all five boroughs. (800) 201-7275

The Department of Sanitation (NYCDOS) ensures the cleaning of the streets and the collection of garbage. It also administers and enforces the City's environmental laws, such as littering and illegal dumping. (212) 219-8090

The DOE Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to find permanent solutions to homelessness, offers voluntary cleaning services for sidewalks and street furniture through its "Ready, Willing & Able" program. ( 212) 628-5207

The NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) oversees the replacement of sidewalks, pavement installations, and street lighting. DOT permission is required for canopies, stoop restorations intruding on the public way, construction of sidewalk cafes, and curb cuts. (518) 457-6195 

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) was founded in 1965 to identify, designate and regulate changes to the City's individual landmarks as well as the buildings in the City's historic districts. (212) 669-7700 

The New York Municipal Archives has 10,000 cubic feet of civic documents including building records and tax photographs. (212) 788-8580

Additional Resources

In addition to the agencies listed previously, the following organizations can often provide funding or technical assistance:

The Art Commission of the City of New York serves as the city's design review agency, responsible for the review and approval of works of art, architecture, and landscape architecture on city-owned property. (212) 788-3071

Department of Business Services' Neighborhood Development Division (NDD) assists local development corporations (LDCs), merchant associations and locally-based nonprofit corporations to strengthen the economic base and improve conditions in commercial and industrial areas throughout the City. (212) 513-6440

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote informed and active citizen participation in government. To order publications such as They Represent You , and What Makes a City Run - A Citizen's Guide to How City Government Works, contact: (212) 213-5286

Local Community Boards monitor the delivery of city services to a district and serve as liaisons between community members and city agencies. To find out about Community Board districts contact the Community Assistance Unit of the Mayor's Office at (212) 362-4008

The New York Landmarks Conservancy helps owners of older buildings by providing grants, low-interest loans, hands-on consulting services, workshops, and publications (212) 995-5260

The Neighborhood Development Division (NDD) of the Department of Business Services assists businesses through its Commercial Revitalization, Empire Zone and Business Improvement District (BID) certification programs. BIDs enable local property owners and merchants to levy a special "assessment" on properties to generally upgrade the physical appearance and quality of life in the business community, such as helping retailers improve their facades and display windows.   (212) 513-6440

National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center works with communities across the nation to revitalize their historic or traditional commercial areas through historic preservation and sensible urban planning. (202) 588-6219