Standing on Amsterdam Avenue between West 85th and 86th Streets on Earth Day, Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the official installation of the Upper West Side’s first curbside microhub space, where delivery trucks will transfer cargo to smaller and more efficient methods of delivery—such as pedal-assist bikes, small vans, and hand carts.
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The department added that the other two hubs (first announced in January) have also been installed … one at Amsterdam Avenue and West 73rd Street:
… and another at Broadway and West 77th Street.
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Local government officials, including Congressman Jerry Nadler, were also in attendance.
“I stand here today to voice my strong support for microhubs,” said Nadler, adding, “New York City desperately needs microhubs. Our streets are too congested with truck traffic.” City Councilmember Gale Brewer and members of Community Board 7 were also present.
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The microhubs on the Upper West Side will be up to 100 feet long and located in the curb lane. In these zones, the department has installed soft, reflective plastic barriers, painted the perimeter with double white lines, and used light brown paint for the interior. These are where the handoffs to bikes, small vans, and hand carts will take place, for the last leg of the delivery process.
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Each loading zone will be licensed to one delivery company. Net Zero Logistics, which describes itself as “one of the largest Final Mile Logistics Companies in the tri-state area,” has licensed the West 85th Street microhub. The initiative is also part of the Smart Curbs initiative stretching from West 72nd to 86th Street, with the goal of better-managed curb space.
Garrett, 51, who lives nearby on West 86th Street, was unaware of the microhub program but sounded optimistic.
“There’s a lot of issues with walking and dealing with delivery people,” he said, noting “anything is worth a test right now to keep people safe.”
DOT’s goal is to install 36 microhub locations across the five boroughs during the three-year pilot program, while collecting data to improve the system.
Clinton Hill and Greenpoint in Brooklyn are also slated to receive microhubs later this spring, DOT said.
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No one asked for this and no one wants it…. this is a Transportation Alternatives + DOT sham to further reduce parking spaces. Nadler is an just another career windbag. Brewer another. Stop voting these people into office and let’s start to get NYC back on track with a more common sense approach on the City Council and hopefully the next Mayor!
There are nearly no reasons for private cars on the UWS.
Why does this charlatan Brewer continue to run unopposed? She needs to be beaten in the next race by someone younger, smarter, and Someone unwilling to line their pockets with big business money.
Will the trucks be allowed to idle? So they can pollute the neighborhood or will the police actually stop it?
Microhubs, what a waste of money and space. Why don’t these businesses rent a space? There are lots of empty storefronts. Instead, our taxes are used to make up the inadequacies of their business plan.
They are renting the space. The city is charging a licensing fee for the pilot.