Neighborhood Chatter: 9.1.11

9/11 Zadroga Act Eligibility Extends to Canal St. The United States Department of Justice issued the final regulations on Monday, Aug. 29, for the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (VCF), or the Zadroga Act, reported a press release from Council Member Margaret Chin's office. One of the most notable changes was the expansion of the geographic zone recognized as the "9/11 crash site" from south of Reade Street to south of Canal Street.

"I am encouraged by the broadening of the VCF area to include thousands of individuals and families who have been profoundly affected, physically and emotionally, by the September 11 attacks," Chin noted. "Although I advocated for a more inclusive boundary, the expansion of the VCF area to cover residents between Reade and Canal streets, many of whom receive treatment at the WTC Environmental Health Center, is a welcome change."

Chin added that the regulations will take effect Oct. 3.

Washington Square Park Outdoor Film Series The IFC Center and the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation recently announced "Movies on the Square," a free outdoor film series that will bring three New York musicals to the newly renovated Washington Square Park on Sept. 8, 15 and 22. The series is co-sponsored by New York University, whose campus borders the park.

On the Town, the 1949 Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Ann Miller film, will kick off the series on Thursday, Sept. 8, followed by Hair on Sept. 15 and Wild Style on Sept. 22.

The films depict or refer to New York City in very different eras, from the postwar 1940s to the beatnik revolution of the 1960s to the graffiti and MC heyday of the 1980s. The screenings will take place on the large lawn at he northwest corner of the park and begin 30 minutes after sunset.

Improving Delancey After a fatality at the intersection of Delancey and Chrystie streets in mid-August, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Council Member Margaret Chin co-wrote a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT), urging them to improve safety conditions on Delancey Street. In a release distributed last week, Squadron noted that despite improvements last year, "Delancey remains one of the most dangerous streets in this city."

Chin added, "The number of accidents between pedestrians and motor vehicles on Delancey is unacceptable."

The release, distributed by the council member and the senator, also noted a recent pedestrian fatality at the intersection of Delancey and Essex streets in May, adding that this particular intersection was among the deadliest in New York City. According to the release, DOT records show that from 2008 through 2010 there were "523 motor vehicle accidents at the intersection of Delancey and Essex streets, 14 of which involved pedestrians and cyclists."

"We know that the DOT plans to install pedestrian countdown signals along part of the Delancey Street corridor. We urge the DOT to begin this process immediately and to extend the pedestrian countdown signals at every intersection on Delancey," the two wrote in their letter.

Squadron and Chin both said they would work with the DOT and NYPD, as well as the community, fellow politicians and experts to improve the safety of these intersections.

Subway Best in Show The report cards are in and, according to the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, which revealed its 14th annual "State of the Subways" report last week, the J/Z line, better known as the brown line, was best in class out of 18 subway routes. The C, part of the blue line, and the 2, part of the red line, tied for last place.

This is reportedly the first year the J/Z has nabbed first place, while the C has consistently shown abysmal scores, coming in last in 2001, 2007, 2009 and 2010.