Read Battery Park City’s community newsletter here 

NEW: Paratransit Assessment Center Opens in Lower Manhattan

MTA New York City Transit recently announced the opening of a new Paratransit Assessment Center in Lower Manhattan at 3 Stone Street, which will be used as part of the eligibility determination process for new Access-A-Ride (AAR) customers and those looking to recertify their eligibility. The new center provides a more convenient assessment location for paratransit applicants who live or work in Manhattan and increases capacity across the system of AAR Assessment Centers that serve thousands of paratransit customers each month. Read more here by clicking here.

Learn more about Access-A-Ride Paratransit Service here.

COMING UP: 

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling, aka congestion pricing. The 60-minute webinars will explain how the Congestion Relief Zone works, how the program benefits the region, discounts and exemptions, and a Q&A—everything people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, 1/5/25.

The sessions will also feature a Q&A. There will be one public webinar with a focus on the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) and another on the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP).

Participants must register online prior to the start of the session(s) they wish to attend. Use these links to register for a session:

• Individual Disability Exemption Plan webinar: Wednesday, December 4, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
• General webinar: Wednesday, December 4, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Low-Income Discount Plan webinar: Thursday, December 5, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
• General webinar: Friday, December 6, 12:30 p.m-1:30 p.m.
• General webinar: Tuesday, December 10, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
• General webinar: Thursday, December 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• General webinar: Monday, December 16, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
• General webinar: Thursday, December 19, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Individual Disability Exemption Plan webinar: Monday, December 23, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:
o The Manhattan Borough President’s new Senior Resource Guide is comprehensive, 50+ page guide designed to help seniors and their families navigate the many services and programs available across all 12 of Manhattan’s community districts. Click here to access the guide.

o What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like for Women? 7 Subtle Symptoms to Never Ignore (Prevention.com)

o BPC Parks Happenings

2024 FALL PROGRAM & EVENTS GUIDE:
Battery Park City’s Fall 2024 Program & Event Guide details a broad range of free programming – including outdoor concerts, music, art, nature, walking tours, fitness, and more – across Battery Park City from September through December!

Here are some highlights for seniors:

MONDAYS

o SEP09-DEC16
MORNING MEDITATION
9:45-10:15AM
6 River Terrace

o SEP09-DEC16
SENIOR GROUP EXERCISE
10:30-11:30AM
6 River Terrace

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS

ADULT ZUMBA
10:30-11:30AM
o SEP03-Oct29 @ Irish Hunger Memorial Plaza 
o NOV1-DEC17 @ 6 River Terrace

SELECT TUESDAYS

o SEP17, OCT22 & NOV19
BPC BOOK CLUB
1-2PM, 200 Rector Place

SEP17: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
OCT22: The Thing in the Snow by Sean Adams
NOV19: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

TUESDAYS

o SEP03-DEC17
MAH JONGG & MORE
2-4PM, 200 Rector Place

WEDNESDAYS

o SEP04-OCT30
FIGURE AL FRESCO
10AM-12PM, Rector Park East

o SEP04-OCT30
ELEMENTS OF NATURE DRAWING
2-4PM, Rector Park East

o SEP04-DEC18
DOWNTOWN BEATS CHORUS
1-2PM, 200 Rector Place

THURSDAYS

o SEP05-DEC19
CRAFT STUDIO
1-3PM, 200 Rector Place

o SEP05-OCT31
PICK-UP PICKLEBALL
9AM-3PM, Esplanade Plaza

o OCT10-NOV14
MAH JONGG LESSONS
10AM-12PM, 200 Rector Place

o NOV14 & DEC12
MEET ME IN THE KITCHEN: MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES
11AM-12PM, Asphalt Green
212 North End Avenue

FRIDAYS

TAI CHI
8:30-9:30AM
o SEP06-Oct25 @ Esplanade Plaza 
o NOV1-DEC20 @ 6 River Terrace

SATURDAYS

o SEP07-OCT26
DRAWING IN THE PARK
10AM-12PM, South Cove

DOWNTOWN CONNECTION BUS ROUTE: REMINDER

In an effort to make the route more efficient, the Downtown Connection Bus will no longer be making a U-turn on West Street. Instead, it will turn left directly onto Murray Street.

This will only impact Battery Park City-bound service. As a result, the bus will no longer be stopping at Vesey Street / North End Avenue and North End Avenue / Murray Street, and will now be stopping at Murray Street / North End Avenue.

Read more from the Downtown Alliance.

MTA Bus Stops: Did You Know?

Overnight from 10PM to 5AM, you can ask your NYCT bus operator (driving a local bus only, not express or SBS) to let you off at locations that aren’t bus stops. They’ll find a safe place along the route to stop the bus and let you out.

MTA REDUCED FARE FOR SENIORS:

The MTA announced that Reduced-Fare customers — including Seniors and people with disabilities — can now put their Reduced-Fare benefit on any OMNY-compatible personal payment device (i.e., your smartphone). The MTA is enabling customers to make this switch online at omny.info. Reduced-Fare customers can also benefit from the MTA’s ongoing “Lucky 13” program, where customers ride free after 12 paid OMNY taps in a 7-day week, from Monday to Sunday.

NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATION OFFICERS
NYPD’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) serve as liaisons between the police and the community, but also as key crime-fighters and problem-solvers in the sector. They familiarize themselves with residents and their problems by attending community meetings with neighborhood leaders and clergy, visiting schools, following up on previous incidents, and using creative techniques and adaptive skills.

Battery Park City’s NCOs are:

“Sector B” – BPC below West Thames Street
P.O. Frank Jilling              P.O. Serge Jean
(212) 334-6462: O            (212) 334-6462: O
(929) 213-2783: M            (929) 522-8409: M
Frank.Jilling@nypd.org      Serge.Jean@nypd.org

“Sector C” – BPC above West Thames Street
 P.O. Thomas Nethaway     P.O. Eugene Uske                                                                                                                                                   (212) 334-6462: O              (212) 334-6462: O
 (929) 213-6313: M               (917) 238-2330: M
Thomas.Nethaway@nypd.org    Eugene.Uske@nypd.org

SCAM ALERT
– If someone you do not know asks you to donate for various activities such as sports teams, school activities, or not for profit organizations, DO NOT give them your phone.
– If you have been a victim of this or any other crime, immediately report it to 911 or to your local precinct. NYPD’s First Precinct can be contacted as follows:

16 Ericsson Place
New York, NY, 10013
Precinct: (212) 334-0611
Crime Prevention: (212) 334-0642
PO Miles Holman:
Miles.Holman@nypd.org

– Be safe and stay alert, Battery Park City!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES: Medicare Savings Program Expansion
The New York State Office for the Aging is urging income-eligible Medicare beneficiaries in New York to apply for up to $7,300 annually in financial assistance through an expansion in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). Call 1-800-701-0501 or visit https://aging.ny.gov/medicare-savings-program for more information. Read more by clicking here.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
– The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) offers services to people living on the streets, in the subway, or in other public places. DHS will send a mobile outreach response team within 1 hour to encourage the person to accept services. Request Homeless Assistance here.

– If you provide your contact information, DHS may contact you for more information.
– If you are homeless and need help, visit:

✓ Homeless Shelters to apply for emergency shelter
✓ Homeless Drop-In Centers to get food, clothing, shower and laundry facilities, and other services
✓ Pathway Home Program to learn about financial assistance to help homeless families move out of shelters and stay with family members or friends.

GREENWICH HOUSE: Older Adult Centers in Manhattan

Center on the Square
20 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10011
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 2 p.m.
Tel: 212-777-3555 Ext 106

Westbeth Artists Housing
155 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours:
Sunday – Closed
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Saturday – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tel: 212-255-5191

Independence Plaza
310 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 1 p.m.
Tel: 212-267-0499

Our Lady of Pompeii
25 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 2 p.m.
Tel: 212-989-3620

PLUS: Explore the new Lifelong Skills & Opportunity Center, which is open to adults 60+ and other communities served by Greenwich House.

Lifelong Skills & Opportunity Center
27 Barrow Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tel: 917-261-4598

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Aging New Yorkers Questionnaire

The New York City Comptroller’s office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust and secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers. To help focus on the issues that matter most to aging New Yorkers, Comptroller Brad Lander wants to hear from you directly! Please fill out this brief questionnaire to inform the Comptroller’s priorities.

Complete the Aging New Yorkers Questionnaire by clicking here

ONGOING THIS SEASON:

Brookfield Place Events. Click for details about public art, activities, programs, and more throughout the Brookfield Place complex.

In-Person Classes and Tech Help @ Senior Planet NYC

Senior Planet in Chelsea
127 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10001

– Minimum age to participate in Senior Planet NYC programming is 60
– Questions may be directed to (646) 590-0615, Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM; or by email: reception@seniorplanet.org

More news from Senior Planet:

New Report Shows Transformational Social Outcomes

During Digital Inclusion Week, OATS released a new report, “Fly Like an Eagle: Measuring Transformational Social Outcomes Among Seniors Using Technology” at a media event at the Senior Planet center in NYC (see photo above). The report details how access to technology devices and innovative training programs can yield transformational social outcomes for older adults and provides a blueprint for cities and communities looking to implement their own digital inclusion programs. Read more here.

BPC RESILIENCY — SBPCR PROJECT COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION LIAISON:

The South Battery Park City Resiliency Project (SBPCR) is underway with completion scheduled for Sprin 2025. Questions & feedback about SBPCR can be sent to:

Katie MacDougall
Community Construction Liaison
(917) 624-5409
sbpcrinfo@bpca.ny.gov

BPC RESILIENCY — NWBPCR PROJECT

The combined North/West Battery Park City Resiliency Project (NWBPCR), now in design, will create an integrated coastal flood risk management system from First Place, north along the Battery Park City Esplanade, across to the east side of West Street/Route 9A, and terminate above Chambers Street at a high point on Greenwich Street. Work will proceed through a progressive design-build effort.

Questions about the NWBPCR Project may be sent to:

             – E-mail: nwbpcrinfo@bpca.ny.gov
      – Mail: Claudia Filomena, Director of Capital Projects, 200 Liberty Street, 24^th Floor, New York, NY 10281

YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:

– Congressman Dan Goldman (Phone: 202.225.7944)
– Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine (Phone: 212.669.8300)
– NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh (Phone: 212.298.5565)
– NY State Assembly Member Charles Fall (Phone: 718.442.9932)
– NYC Council Member Chris Marte (Phone: 212.587.3159)