Hon. James Vacca
NYC Council Member
NYC Transportation Committee, Chair
250 Broadway, Suite 1749
New York, NY 10007
Dear Council Member Vacca,
We, the undersigned, are concerned about the proliferation of
ill‐maintained and poorly located newsracks cluttering New York City
sidewalks. From Queens to Manhattan to the Bronx, this quality of life
nuisance is prevalent throughout our city. We ask that the New York City
Council Transportation Committee schedule an oversight hearing on the
newsrack law immediately so we can start working toward the solution.
The appearance of newsracks has further deteriorated largely due to the
Newsrack Law amendment of 2004, which removed the requirement to
maintain newsracks free of dirt, graffiti or stickers. Furthermore,
the New York City Department of Transportation, which regulates street
furniture, has not effectively enforced newsrack regulations because of
deficiencies in the current law and lack of personnel.
We urge New York City Council to work toward improved policies to
maintain newsracks and regulate their placement.