Dear Mayor Bill De Blasio and NYC, we want to help tackle the pandemic: Converting Failing Newsstands to COVID-19 Rapid PCR Testing Sites

Dear Mayor de Blasio:

I have represented 50+ newsstand operators both applying for new newsstands and those who currently have active newsstand licenses issued by the NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs. 

My involvement has allowed me the opportunity to serve as either a representative, seed investor, partner, and/or advisor to these small business operators since 2009.  

As you can imagine, newsstands have suffered the fate of so many small retail businesses in the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are doing a small amount of business, and most are still closed. 

In the spirit of helping our neighbors, and as New Yorkers who love their city, my partners and I want to offer the use of our newsstands as COVID-19 Rapid Testing Sites. Locations are outdoors and on prominent street corners in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. They are well suited to compliance with COVID-19 protocols. As a starting point, we can offer eleven existing outdoor sites and one in construction (provided on the following page).

As millions continue to get vaccinated, we feel that PCR testing sites in NYC will remain in demand for at least the next 6-12 months as some wait for an appointment and others decide against it. 

Furthermore, it has come to our attention that many public venues and/or services (business events, weddings, large social gatherings, entertainment venues, medical visits, air travel etc.) will require a negative rapid test or proof of vaccination to attend in-person. 

We are open to feedback on this philanthropic gesture and welcome your direction on partnering with a medical provider to setup operations (personnel/equipment/supplies). To be clear, we are not asking the City for any funds to support this operation, but rather a medical partner along with their resources to set up and perform rapid testing.

If the properties can be of use, we look forward to helping NYC tackle the pandemic. You can find more background on my work at ronniegyani.com and contact me at [email protected].  

-Ronnie Gyani

Link to full letter

Existing Sites

1. Southwest Corner of West 44th St. and 8th Ave. (Facing Row Hotel beside a dozen Live Theatres)
2. Northeast Corner of 8th Ave. & West 44th St. (Beside Shake Shack and Intercontinental Hotel)
3. Southwest Corner West 34th St. & 9th Ave. (One block from Penn Station and Hudson Yards)
4. Southwest Corner 10th Ave. & West 20th St (Steps from entrances/exits to The High Line)
5. Southeast Corner 10th Ave. & West 15th St. (Steps from countless retail, hotels, and restaurants in the Meatpacking District, as well as Chelsea Market, The High Line, and Hudson River Park)
6. Chambers St. between Greenwich St. & West St. (Beside BMCC College and one block from Stuyvesant High School, Battery Park. Minutes to 9/11 Memorial & Museum)
7. Southwest Corner Flatbush Ave. & Atlantic Ave. (Across the street from Barclays Center in Brooklyn)
8. Southwest Corner Amsterdam Ave. & West 65th St. (Beside the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and La Guardia High School)
9. Northeast Corner of 125th Street & Malcom X Blvd. (In the 125th Street Business Improvement District surrounded by hundreds of retail stores)
10. Southeast Corner Franklin Ave. & Main St. in Flushing, Queens (Fourth largest central business district in NYC)

Constructed on March 2021

11. East 25th St. between 3rd Ave. & Lexington Ave. (Facing Baruch College and Library)

Approved with Construction expected in 2021

12. Southwest Corner of Queens Plaza South & 27th St. (Below ramp to 7, N, Q, and R Trains in Long Island City)