Earlier this year, Mayor Adams appointed Jessica Tisch as the new Commissioner for the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). And with that came the announcement of $11 million in new street cleaning initiatives. Unfortunately for those who have gotten used to not having to move their car as often, that includes a full reinstatement of alternate side parking in NYC — now back as of Tuesday, July 5.
Starting today, New Yorkers with cars will have to move their cars twice a week, on the days designated by the alternate side parking signs on their block. If not, they will be subjected to a $65 fine.
Alternate side parking was first suspended in NYC in March of 2020 due to the pandemic. Over the following months (and years) former Mayor de Blasio only ever returned the street sweeping to once a week. Well, that’s now officially over.
In a press statement, the city said the “full restoration of alternate side parking (ASP) [will] allow DSNY’s mechanical brooms to do their jobs.” They say the mechanical brooms are the most efficient way to clean city streets, as they sweep litter alongside the curb across thousands of miles. “This restoration is not only part of a return to normal, but to the high level of street cleanliness New Yorkers expect and deserve,” they stated.
It is fully restored as of July 5, so New Yorkers will now have to move their cars twice a week. Be sure to check the sign on your block asap, whether it’s Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday, etc.!
In the announcement, DSNY also shared more upcoming eco-friendly efforts, including funding for year-round protected bike lane cleaning to help encourage more bike riders in NYC therefore reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
Commissioner Tisch said: “Environmental justice begins at the street level, and clean streets are vital to vibrant neighborhoods and our city’s economic recovery.”
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.