January 2026

 Dear Neighbor,

The West 90s Neighborhood Association is one of the hundreds of small, volunteer-run, not-for-profit groups that help make this city so livable. Our mission is to enhance the safety, beauty, and quality of life in the area including and adjacent to West 90th to West 99th Streets, between Amsterdam Avenue and Riverside Park. We’re proud to represent a diverse community—racially, culturally, and economically — and we are deeply grateful for your support.

Thanks to your donations and our dedicated volunteers, we had a productive 2025. Here are a few highlights:

• After years of advocacy, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument has finally begun its restoration with $62.3 million in funding.

• We took part in the 2025 Memorial Day ceremony, placing wreaths in honor of our service members.

• Partnering with the NYC Parks Department and Riverside Park Conservancy, we identified hazardous trees and helped secure funding for their remediation.

• We supported the Conservancy’s “More Trees, Less Trash” initiative — leading to 75+ new trees and 25 new solar trash cans in Riverside Park.

• We flagged infrastructure problems in and around Riverside Park, including hazards on the Amtrak tunnel overbridge, as well as flooding near W. 116th and W. 97th Streets.

• We sought and secured funding for new tree guards to be installed over the next three years.

•  We participated in the appointment of Capt. Veniece Gayle as Commander of the 24th Precinct and are working with her to enhance public safety and implement the NYPD’s Q Teams.

•  We partnered with the Department of Sanitation to improve street cleanliness and address rat control.

• We saluted W90s Board Member and former NYC Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz, who launched a new transportation research program at Hunter College to improve mobility citywide.

• We participated in National Night Out Against Crime, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make our neighborhoods safer, in partnership with the NYPD 24th Precinct.

• We submitted four neighborhood improvement projects for 2026 Participatory Budgeting consideration:  construction materials for the 96th and Broadway median building, stone pavers and repairs for a stretch of Riverside Drive, noise and red-light cameras for two busy traffic intersections, and more tree guards.

 As we enter 2026, we’re focused on several key initiatives:  

• Working with the NYPD, DOT, and elected officials to ease traffic congestion and install a noise camera at West 96th and West End Ave.

• Continuing public safety partnerships with the 24th Precinct and the City Council to combat rat infestations and improve enforcement of sidewalk and sanitation rules.

• Advocating for responsible redevelopment of the Bloomingdale Library site to ensure affordable housing and a robust new library.

• Monitoring civic and business proposals that may affect quality of life in our neighborhood.

• Supporting local merchants in forming or joining a Business Improvement District (BID) to revitalize Broadway storefronts and boost neighborhood vitality.

 We are making progress – but we can’t do it alone. If you value this work, we invite you to support us with a donation, by becoming a member, or by volunteering your time.  

 Warm regards,

 Neil M. Berson, Co-President

 Edward Soloway, Co-President