Page 9 - qt edition #52

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

Largest Public EV Charging Station SBS Seeking Proposals To Launch Pilot Program To
in NYC Set to Rise Near JFK Airport Help NYC Street Vendors
(Continued from page 3)
New York City Econom- vote for clean energy, the green
ic Development Corporation economy, and a forward-looking Successful Proposals Will Ad- to city procurement, whereby to address real-world challenges
(NYCEDC) and Wildflower, a investment in the city’s future,” dress Needs of New York City’s agencies seek solutions to prob- with creativity and intention,” said
New York City–based sustainable emphasizing the importance of Diverse Street Vendor Ecosys- lems instead of prescribing them. City Chief Procurement Officer
infrastructure developer, have private-sector charging infra- tem, Connect Legal Vendors to SBS is looking for partners who and New York City Mayor’s Of-
finalized a land deal to build what structure in areas without large Resources and Services will identify and pilot sustainable fice of Contract Services (MOCS)
will become the largest publicly public parking facilities. and scalable programs to help Director Kim Yu. “More than
accessible electric vehicle charg- The charging station is a key New York City Department of street vendors navigate the current ever, we are opening the door
ing station in New York City. component of New York City’s Small Business Services (SBS) street vending regulatory environ- to community-driven solutions
The project will be constructed Green Economy Action Plan, Commissioner Dynishal Gross ment, and access new and exist- that respond to the lived experi-
on a 2.6-acre parcel just north of launched in 2024 to expand EV announced that SBS is now ac- ing city- and community-based ences with fairness, transparency,
John F. Kennedy International infrastructure, create thousands cepting proposals from commu- resources opportunities. Through and accountability in how the
Airport, between Nassau Express- of jobs, and prepare New Yorkers nity partners to create and pilot this process, SBS is challenging city partners with organizations.
way and Rockaway Boulevard. — especially those from environ- programs focused on engagement, the public to invent creative solu- Challenge-Based Procurement
Wildflower plans to break ground mentally disadvantaged commu- education, and interventions for tions to support the city’s diverse allows us to move faster, think
in 2026. nities — for an estimated 400,000 New York City-based street ven- ecosystem of street vendors, while differently, and ultimately deliver
At launch, the site will include green-collar jobs by 2040. The dors. The first-of-its-kind pro- also considering challenges faced better outcomes for vendors, pro-
65 EV-ready charging stations — project also supports Mayor Eric gram, “Venture Forward,” will by brick-and-mortar businesses viders, neighborhoods, and the
at least 12 of them rapid chargers Adams’ broader economic recov- promote economic opportunities and commercial corridors. city as a whole.”
— available to the public 24 hours ery and sustainability initiatives. for street vendors, while balanc- SBS presently conducts out- “New York’s Strongest work
a day. The station is designed for Local leaders praised the de- ing the needs of brick-and-mortar reach to inform vendors of the tirelessly to ensure a safe, clean,
future expansion to meet rising velopment as a win for Southeast businesses, residents, and visitors availability of resources offered healthy – and therefore vibrant –
demand and accommodate a range Queens. Council Majority Whip in the commercial corridors in in-person through SBS’s NYC streetscape, and our interactions
of vehicles, including electric Selvena N. Brooks-Powers said which street vendors operate. Business Solutions Centers, as with street vendors are based in
trucks. the investment “represents a “Through the Venture Forward well as the full suite of SBS respect for the contributions they
As part of the agreement, meaningful step toward a cleaner, challenge procurement, SBS resources, including financing make to our city,” said Acting New
Wildflower committed to a 30% more sustainable transporta- aims to engage with community assistance consultations and fi- York City Department of Sanita-
minority- and women-owned tion future,” while State Senator members and organizations who nancial counseling, government tion Commissioner Javier Lojan.
business enterprise (M/WBE) James Sanders Jr. highlighted the understand the challenges of street navigation, free legal consulta- “The Department of Sanitation
outreach goal and will coordinate project’s potential to create op- vendors and street vending and tions, and tax preparation servic- applauds SBS’s initiative to boost
a local hiring event with Queens portunities for local workers and can propose innovative solutions es. Proposals may intersect with, community-driven support for
Borough President Donovan Rich- M/WBEs. for how to best overcome them,” but not duplicate, these services. these smallest small businesses.”
ards’ Office and Council Member Queens Borough President said SBS Commissioner Dynishal The proposal period is live until About the NYC Department
Selvena Brooks-Powers’ Office. Donovan Richards Jr. said the sta- Gross. “SBS exists to serve all en- Friday, January 30, 2026. All pro- of Small Business Services (SBS)
NYCEDC President & CEO tion will strengthen the borough’s trepreneurs and small businesses posals must be submitted online. SBS helps unlock economic
Andrew Kimball said the project commitment to clean energy in our city, and that includes in- Contracts totaling up to $750,000 potential and create economic
represents a major step toward the and support residents transition- dividuals who sell products and will be provided to one or more or- security for all New Yorkers by
city’s sustainability goals. “This ing to electric vehicles. Queens expressive materials publicly and ganizations. For more information connecting New Yorkers to good
investment will transform this site Community Board 13 District imbue our city streets with the on the evaluation process and to jobs, creating stronger businesses,
and result in a number of positive Manager Mark McMillan added energy and dynamism that makes submit an application, interested and building vibrant neighbor-
changes for southeast Queens,” he that its proximity to JFK will of- New York City the greatest city in parties can visit the PASSPort hoods across the five boroughs.
said, noting the need for both EV fer convenience for travelers and the world.” online portal. For more information on all SBS
charging access and additional professional drivers alike. In an agency first, SBS will use “SBS’s ‘Venture Forward’ pro- services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call
parking. Construction is expected to the city’s Challenge-Based Pro- gram is a prime example of how 311, and follow us on Facebook,
Wildflower Founder Adam Gor- begin in 2026, with phased expan- curement process, a new approach our city is innovating procurement Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
don called the development “a sion planned as demand grows.
Attorney General James Secures Department Applauds Passage Of Legislation To Create
Existing Building Code
Refunds for New Yorkers Wrongfully
Charged for Free COVID-19 Testing New Code Replaces Antiquated a safer, more sustainable, more to comply with the NYS Multiple
Regulations, Simplifying Con-
code-compliant city,” said Com-
Dwelling Law.
and HIV Screening Services struction Process for Building missioner Oddo. “I would like to • Create a Limited Home Im-
Owners thank Committee Chair Pierina provement Permit for defined
Following OAG Investigation, healthy during a public health Sanchez and our other partners in scopes of work in 1- and 2-family
Fidelis Reprocessed Thousands crisis. My office will always stand The New York City Council the City Council for today’s vote dwellings.
of Claims, Paid Providers More up for New Yorkers when insurers passed legislation to establish a which recognizes the transforma- • Introduce limited alteration
Than $2.6 Million, Secured Re- fail to follow the law.” New York City Existing Building tive impact this new Code will application (LAA) permits for
funds for Consumers, and Fixed The OAG investigation found Code (EBC), a move celebrated by have on our built environment.” additional types of work, includ-
Internal Systems that Fidelis wrongfully required Buildings Commissioner Jimmy While DOB has made regular ing window replacements and
patients to pay out-of-pocket costs Oddo as a major step in updating updates to the city’s Building re-roofing.
New York Attorney General for health care services that were the city’s construction regulations. Code, the passage of Intros 1321 • Improve fire safety require-
Letitia James announced a settle- supposed to be provided for free. This new Code was developed by and 1422 today by the City Coun- ments for existing egress stair-
ment with Fidelis Care (Fidelis), As a result of Fidelis’ practices, the New York City Department of cil represents the first time the ways when alterations are made.
a New York-based health insurer, between October 2021 and August Buildings (DOB) over the course City has ever had a Code specifi- • Clarify and standardize auto-
after an investigation by the Office 2022, providers charged patients of an extensive, multi-year code cally address existing buildings. matic sprinkler system require-
of the Attorney General (OAG) for more than 38,000 office visits revision process. Once imple- Based on the International Exist- ments.
found that the company wrongly related to COVID-19 testing, af- mented, the new Code will make ing Building Code, which is com- • Provide for appropriate pro-
required New Yorkers to pay for fecting over 18,000 consumers. significant changes to streamline monly used in most other munici- tection of openings on lot line air
visits related to COVID-19 test- Between January 2022 and May regulations for construction proj- palities across the country, NYC’s shafts.
ing and for certain HIV screen- 2023, providers charged patients ects at existing buildings. The EBC is the product of years of • Advance accessibility upgrades
ing services. As a result, some for more than 2,800 HIV screen- EBC, enacted through the pas- research, analysis, and committee in common areas of residential
New Yorkers received bills for ing services, affecting more than sage of Intro 1321-2025, provides work led by DOB. The result is a buildings when qualifying altera-
hundreds of dollars for services 2,100 consumers. Both COVID-19 an improved and simplified set tailored set of regulations, replete tions are made.
that, under state and federal law, testing visits during the fed- of regulations for renovation and with specific provisions for New • Introduce targeted structural
should have been free. As part of eral Public Health Emergency alteration work which will reduce York City’s unique building stock. condition assessments and archi-
the agreement, Fidelis has repro- and HIV preventive screenings barriers towards compliance with Among other major changes, tectural investigations of build-
cessed tens of thousands of claims, were required by law to be cov- city regulations, and mitigate the the NYC EBC will: ings planning larger alterations.
paid more than $2.8 million to af- ered with no out-of-pocket cost costs and scheduling delays from • Officially repeal the 1968 • Facilitate energy conserva-
fected providers, ensured provid- to consumers. job-specific variances while en- Building Code and replace it with tion upgrades when alterations
ers cancelled bills to consumers As a result of the OAG inves- hancing public safety. a modern framework tailored to are made.
and refunded consumers for pay- tigation, Fidelis paid providers “Today’s vote is the culmination existing buildings. The new Code will go into ef-
ments, fixed its internal systems to $2.6 million for COVID-19 testing of years of work by the Depart- • Streamline regulations related fect in 2027.
prevent future problems, and will visits and more than $157,000 for ment’s Technical Affairs, Code to changing occupancy. DOB works diligently to
pay a $175,000 penalty to the state. HIV screening services, includ- Development, Code & Zoning In- • Include clear and consistent implement the City’s Code Revi-
“No New Yorker should ever ing required interest. Fidelis also terpretation, and Legal & Regula- tenant and occupant protection sion process, ensuring that our
face a surprise medical bill for contacted every affected provider tory Affairs divisions. Their labor, plan requirements. regulations overseeing buildings
care the law says must be free,” to make sure that improper patient alongside the work of hundreds • Replace project cost thresholds and construction work are regu-
said Attorney General James. bills were canceled and that con- of volunteer industry experts, with work area size to determine larly updated, to keep pace with
“Fidelis’ practices placed unnec- sumers who paid out-of-pocket will directly impact thousands of applicability of certain Code international standards, emerging
essary financial stress on families construction projects across the provisions.
who were simply trying to stay (Continued on page 10) five boroughs, helping us create • Simplify the path for buildings (Continued on page 10)