Lower West Side · Then vs Now
Lower West Side: 2025-02 vs 2026-02
A side-by-side look at how Lower West Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-02 | 2026-02 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 21 | 24 | +14% |
| Construction value ($) | $1,611,114 | $2,386,895 | +48% |
| New business licenses | 26 | 30 | +15% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,046 | 1,334 | +28% |
| Reported crimes | 158 | 187 | +18% |
| Violent crimes | 58 | 70 | +21% |
| Failed food inspections | 8 | 4 | -50% |
2025-02
Lower West Side permit value drops 47% to $1.6M
Permit activity fell sharply in February—21 permits totaling $1.6 million, down from $3.1 million a month earlier. Renovation work led with eight permits, followed by six express permits. Graffiti removal topped 311 requests at 195, with tree planting and trimming requests also running high. Crime dropped 15%, including 58 violent incidents. No new businesses opened or closed. Eight food establishments failed inspections, up slightly from seven.
2026-02
Lower West Side 311 calls jump 56% on graffiti reports
Service requests spiked to 1,334 in February, up 56% from January, with graffiti removal leading the surge at 311 calls. Pothole complaints came in second with 191. Crime counts also climbed—187 incidents overall, including 70 violent offenses, both up roughly 59%. On the business side, 30 new licenses included UZ. Food (mobile food), Lalo's Abuelo Barber Shop, and Pinwheel Records. Permits ticked up to 24 from 20, though their combined value dropped 36% to $2.4 million. Most permits were express program filings.
New businesses — 2025-02
- EL TORITO FOODS (Mobile Food License)
- SEMILLAS (Limited Business License)
- ONEILL PRODUCTS INC (Limited Business License)
- CWIAKALA AUCTIONS (Regulated Business License)
- MARIO ALBERTO MALDANADO (Peddler License)
- LA LUNA (Retail Food Establishment)
- SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
- ROCKIT BARBER SHOP (Limited Business License)
- KNM KUTZ (Regulated Business License)
- BIG CITY OPTICAL LLC (Limited Business License)
New businesses — 2026-02
- ALYSSA GONZALEZ (Peddler License)
- UZ. FOOD (Mobile Food License)
- EASE DROPPERS L.L.C. (Limited Business License)
- SAZON ZULIANO PA' QUE EL OSO (Mobile Food License)
- 5 STAR SERVICES (Motor Vehicle Services License)
- Jem Junkies (Limited Business License)
- LALO'S ABUELO BARBER SHOP LLC (Limited Business License)
- PINWHEEL RECORDS (Limited Business License)
- PACKED PRODUCE (Wholesale Food Establishment)
- GRAINGER INC. (Regulated Business License)