To help Lower Manhattan business owners
better understand some of the basics of construction -- and
how construction obstacles can be overcome -- LowerManhattan.info has answered some commonly asked questions below. If your
query isn't on this list, click
here to submit it, or call the city's information
hotline, 311, for immediate assistance 24 hours a day.
| Q: |
How can I try to reschedule construction near my business? |
| A: |
Because there are many factors involved with construction timing, the rescheduling of work hours typically must be approved by city DDC, DOT, and other involved agencies who control work permits. Factors that influence a project’s schedule include whether a particular work site is in a more residential or commercial area, the nature and extent of the work, and how the work affects traffic flow, parking, transit, etc. Call 311 to learn more about a specific construction site. |
| Q: |
My small business needs marketing assistance because construction on my street has made it difficult for customers to reach me. Where can I turn for help? |
| A: |
To help get the word
out about your business, try contacting the New York
City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) (311) or Seedco (212-473-0255). Both
assist businesses with a range of needs, including marketing.
Or try the Downtown Business Network (212-839-0125), which connects Lower Manhattan small businesses
with the greater business community through an online
directory .
Alternatively, businesses can choose to work directly
with a volunteer professional through MBAs4NYC (212-402-7830) to devise a marketing plan.
Several neighborhood organizations, like the Lower
East Side Business Improvement District (BID) (212-226-9010) and the Tribeca Organization (212-966-0063) are also available to assist area businesses, as
is the Explore Chinatown tourism campaign (212-484-1263) and the Alliance for Downtown New York (212-566-6700).
Asian American-owned businesses can also turn to the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) (212-966-0100) for support. |
| Q: |
How
can I get signs to let customers know that my business
is still open? |
| A: |
If construction equipment
and materials are blocking the entrance to your store
or disrupting pedestrian flow on your street, check with
the city Department of Small Business Services (SBS) for
assistance in getting a sign made for your business. In
addition, these are some downtown shops that can design
and produce signs to let customers know that your business
is nearby or still open.
- A
1 Hour Sign Store: 6 Maiden Lane, (212) 346-7850
- Artsline:
77 Delancey Street, (212) 965-1200
- Bam
Signs Inc.: 48 Wall Street # 1100, (212) 581-1760
- Creative
Signs & Awnings: 55 Delancey Street, (212)
625-1726
- Sign
Expo: 13-17 Laight Street, (212) 925-8585
|
| Q: |
Who
can I call when a construction area is really messy? |
| A: |
Though the DDC and
DOT monitor construction sites, sometimes a contractor’s
equipment and materials may spill over from a designated
location onto the sidewalk or street. Call 311 to report
any such situations. |
| Q: |
Who
can I call to find out about garbage collection times
and locations? |
| A: |
The city's information
hotline, 311, can provide answers to questions about garbage
and recycling pick-ups. |
| Q: |
What
should I do if there is a rodent problem arising from
construction? |
| A: |
City
DDC will inspect the site and speak to the resident
engineer for the project to arrange for rodent
abatement and control. You can also contact the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene by calling
(212) 442-9666 or clicking
here. |
| Q: |
How
can I find out about getting deliveries to my business
if there is construction on my street? |
| A: |
Occasionally, roadwork
and other construction will require the closing of a street
or sidewalk, which will affect trucks delivering supplies
to your business. Check the Getting Deliveries Downtown section of the site for updates on street closures and
detours, and visit the Interactive
Transportation Map, and Transportation Alerts pages for additional information. |
| Q: |
How can I stay informed about city-run construction projects? |
| A: |
Sign up for daily email alerts at www.outreachny.com. |
| Q: |
How can I find out about getting a construction job downtown? |
| A: |
Contact NEW -- Nontraditional Employment for Women -- to find out about FREE training and support services for careers in construction and skilled blue-collar trades. For more information or to sign up for an orientation seminar, call NEW at (212) 627-6252 or visit www.new-nyc.org. |
| Q: |
How
can I find out about bidding on city construction projects? |
| A: |
1.
The city is legally required to use the Vendor
Information Exchange System (VENDEX), a computerized
data system, to help it make well-informed decisions
when selecting a vendor (or contractor). The Mayor’s
Office of Contract Services operates a Public
Access Center giving visitors access to the
VENDEX computer system, which contains extensive
information about city contracts and contractors.
For more information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/vendex
or contact the VENDEX Unit at (212) 341-0933.
2. The
City Record On-Line (CROL) is the electronic
version of the Procurement Notices appearing in
the City Record printed version. The CROL
is posted by the Department of Citywide Administrative
Services (DCAS). It includes information from
the solicitations and awards section of the printed
daily publication. The solicitations and awards
are presented in a fully searchable database of
current awards and solicitations. All mayoral
agencies as well as many city agencies are included
in CROL. The City Record newspaper includes
details on public hearings, agency rule changes,
court notices, procurement actions, contract awards,
and other information.
3. Each government agency performs different tasks
in the rebuilding process. Other opportunities for contractors
may be found through RFPs issued by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation; New York City Economic Development Corporation; Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Pursuant to the Procurement Policy Board Rules, the
city may award contracts only to responsible contractors.
A responsible contractor is one who has the capability
in all respects to perform the contract requirements
fully and the business integrity to justify the award
of public tax dollars. For a list of some of the factors
that affect a contractor's responsibility, please consult
the PPB Rules § 2-08(b)(1) . |
| To find out answers to more frequently asked questions, visit the Your Questions Answered section of our site. To submit a question to the site, click here. |
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