Here is an email I received today from the office of Rosie Mendez. These are positive steps and we need to keep supporting our elected officials who have been responsive and keep our eyes open for issues in the neighborhood as we have been. ******************************************************************* Hi Mauro (and the rest of the group!), I mentioned some of the steps the Council Members have taken in my earlier email. But, to be more specific here are some of the things that we have been doing this month (June): On June 4th the Council Members invited and hosted members of 33rd and 3rd, the Community Board, Kip’s Bay Towers, 350 East 30th Street, NYU, and representatives of our elected colleagues (Senators Hoylman and Kreuger, Assembly Member Kavanagh, and Borough President Brewer) and other stakeholders. At this meeting we identified issues around the community that have impacted safety and quality of life in the area and came up with a series of recommendations that we believe will address some of these issues. These recommendations have been communicated to the relevant agencies for consideration. On June 9th the Council Members conducted a walkthrough with DOT to identify areas in need of improved lighting around the shelter itself and the surrounding blocks. In addition, we have advocated for and seen the removal of the phone booths at 33rd and 3rd. The next steps are to relay the recommendations from the stakeholder meeting to the agencies for consideration. Once we have a response we will reach out to the stakeholder group to continue the momentum and conversation as well as continue to move forward with improvements in the area. While DHS is responsible for the facility, it will take all of us working together to address these issues in the long term. We will be sure to keep everyone apprised of the efforts underway, how and when people can participate, and what responses we get from agencies. Thanks much, Matt Matt D. Viggiano Office of Councilwoman Rosie Mendez New York City Council District 2 237 First Avenue, # 504 • New York, NY 10003 mviggiano@council.nyc.gov• w. 212.677.1077 • f. 212.677.1990 Legislative Office • 212.788.7366