What does Hell’s Kitchen need most — safer streets, better housing, cleaner parks? Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) wants to hear from you.
The District Needs Survey gives residents and local workers a chance to share their top priorities for improving life in Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea. Photo: Phil O’Brien
The board’s annual District Needs Survey is now open, giving residents and local workers a chance to share their top priorities for improving life in Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea. The short, five-question survey — due Friday, October 17 — asks people to rank the neighborhood’s biggest challenges and suggest specific ideas or projects for funding.
New York City is divided into 59 community districts, each with its own local advisory board made up of 50 volunteers who live or work in the neighborhood. Manhattan has 12 such boards, including MCB4, which covers Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen. Members are appointed by the Borough President with input from local City Council representatives and they weigh in on everything from zoning and land use to city services and budget priorities.
“This is how we make sure the voices of Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen are heard,” said Roberta Barnett, chair of MCB4’s Budget Task Force. “We collect feedback from the community and share it with city agencies and elected officials so they know what would really make a difference for our neighborhoods.” Barnett added that the board’s findings often help to guide local representatives as they push for funding. “It’s helpful to have something in writing that shows what the community is asking for — it gives our electeds a roadmap for what people care about most.”
Budget Task Force Chair Roberta Barnett. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Community feedback has already led to some visible improvements. Recent budget “wins” tied to MCB4’s priorities include partial funding for renovations at the Columbus Branch Library on 10th Avenue, installation of 30 audible pedestrian signals to improve safety for visually impaired New Yorkers, and funding for upgrades at DeWitt Clinton Park.
Other successes across the district have included playground repairs, new school security cameras, and expanded composting programs. “Sometimes these things take years, but they do happen,” Barnett said. “Shore power for cruise ships, for example, was on our list for ages — and now it’s finally being seriously discussed.”
Last year’s survey showed residents were most concerned about crime and public safety, affordable housing and quality of life issues. Barnett said the survey has helped highlight new priorities that might not otherwise come up. “Historically, housing has always dominated, but in the last couple of years the community has elevated public safety as a key issue,” she said.
The Statement of District Needs helped to secure funding for the renovation of Hartley House at 413 W46th Street. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Even if you can’t make it to a monthly community board meeting, Barnett emphasized that this survey is a simple way to make your voice heard. “You don’t get anything you don’t ask for,” she said.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and is open to anyone who lives or works in Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen. Responses are due by October 17. To learn more about the community board and see details of upcoming committee meetings, visit the MCB4 website.