West Harlem has become the first neighborhood in the U.S. to fully containerize trash in an effort to curb rat problems. City officials revealed that the new "Empire Bins" will be mandatory for residential buildings with over 30 units. However, the deployment of 1,100 large containers has led to a loss of around 4% of parking spaces, creating challenges for local residents. While some appreciate the bins for their purpose, others criticize their size and aesthetic impact on the neighborhood.
"It takes up parking spots that were already hard to find," said Harlem resident Erica Lamont, who claims she circled the blocks of Broadway and West 149th Street for a half-hour on Tuesday morning.
"The bins are the size of small cars and when you put two and three on a residential street, you are ultimately forcing people to park blocks away," said Lamont.
Other locals, like Harlem resident David Jones, simply blasted the bizarre look of the gargantuan containers. "It's an eyesore," said Jones.
Some locals previously told The Post the massive receptacles clash with the neighborhood's aesthetic, even though they may be needed to scare away rats.
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