About Us

The East Midtown Coalition in New York City is comprised of shareholders and Board members of 40 buildings located on the East Side of Manhattan. This independent group was established in 2009 as an informal, neighborhood coalition to enhance residents’ quality of life and address neighborhood and city initiatives.

East Midtown Coalition Mission

The Mission of the East Midtown Coalition is multifaceted, aiming to:

  • Maintain and improve the quality of life of individuals residing on the East Side of Manhattan
  • Create an ongoing, collegial relationship among the different buildings
  • Monitor our neighborhood and act jointly to encourage initiatives or discourage negative or unwanted occurrences or policies as they arise
  • Foster a relationship with government bodies, Legislators, Police, Fire, and other pertinent cities
    agencies and Community Groups to maximize the Coalition’s effectiveness
  • Research and consider other mutual efforts in which the coalition’s size might engender advantages
  • Provide residents with invited speaker events to better understand all facets of pressing issues

The efforts of this organization do not circumvent or supersede individual building Board policies or responsibilities to their shareholders. Participation of each Board in any of the Coalition’s activities is strictly voluntary.

Achievements of the East Midtown Coalition

In 2004, the midtown East Side community played a significant role in Town Hall hearings in an effort to relocate a water treatment plant, which was planned to be located at 56 th Street and 2 nd Avenue. Upon numerous testimonials against this effort, the city ultimately redirected the water treatment plant. This collaborative effort inspired the formation of the East Midtown Coalition in 2009.

Among other strides, the East Midtown Coalition joined the East River Fifties Alliance, Senator Liz Krueger and Council Members Ben Kellos and Keith Powers, as well as other community groups and individuals in a multi-year opposition of the height of Sutton Tower on 58 th Street. After aggressive efforts and Council Member Kellos’ testimony to the Board of Standards and Appeals in 2018, the complex was reduced from 97 to 62 floors in 2022.

Smaller scale issues have also been addressed over the past decade-plus years. The Coalition has collaborated with neighborhood groups such as the Sutton Area Community (SAC) to raise awareness to personal and neighborhood safety issues, as well as local events. The Coalition has also been a strong advocate for the reduction in noise levels emanating from area bars that negatively impact residents’ quality of life. Efforts included enforcing the legal closing time of Sutton Bar and negotiating with a local nightclub to mitigate excessive noise. Additionally, local elected officials, such as Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, have also appeared at Coalition events, and have greatly assisted with driving positive outcomes for our community.

In 2019, the Coalition steered its resources toward Congestion Pricing and advocating for an exemption or significant discount in fees for individuals residing below 60 th Street. The current and former members of the Coalition generated 4,000 signatures on the East Side and spoke at three Town Halls to support this effort. We continue this fight today.