New York City is facing growing criticism over sanitation delays following Winter Storm Fern, as uncollected trash and snow continue to pile up in several neighborhoods, including areas surrounding Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The New York Post reports, Gracie Mansion gleams in pristine luxury, however, while the rest of the city’s residents are left to choke on the stench of their own uncollected trash.
Residents report that streets across the Upper East Side remain obstructed by waste and snowdrifts a week after the storm, with some debris reportedly reaching heights of six feet. Locals have described the unsanitary conditions as a public nuisance, noting the presence of rodents and foul odors. At the same time, the sidewalks and streets directly outside the mayor’s residence appear to have been cleared more thoroughly.
Nick Rivers, a resident of the area, observed multiple sanitation workers plowing and shoveling snow around Gracie Mansion. “Clean as a whistle for the mayor,” he said, contrasting the scene with neighboring blocks still covered in garbage and ice. Other residents similarly voiced frustration at what they perceive as unequal treatment.
The city’s slow post-storm cleanup has coincided with a severe cold wave that has reportedly resulted in at least 14 deaths among vulnerable New Yorkers. Despite these challenges, Mayor Mamdani, who took office last month, stated on Friday that he “struggles to imagine how it could be better,” emphasizing optimism about his administration’s early progress.
Many residents disagreed, according to The Post. Several cited concerns over public hygiene and health risks. “It’s gross,” said one Upper East Side resident, claiming that rats have infiltrated recycling bags and that uncollected trash has been left scattered across sidewalks. Others expressed embarrassment about the city’s condition, especially in high-traffic residential and commercial areas.
Social media users have also criticized the situation. One post showing heaps of garbage on city sidewalks sarcastically referenced the mayor’s inaugural address calling for a shift from “rugged individualism” to “collectivism.” Actress Debra Messing, a Brooklyn native, shared her experience of prolonged gridlock just outside a hospital caused by uncleared streets, describing it as unprecedented during her time in the city, and fearing for the well-being of someone inside an ambulance trying to get the emergency care.
Officials from the Department of Sanitation explained that property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, while trash collection remains under municipal authority. The department stated that 2,500 sanitation workers are operating on 12-hour shifts, focusing initially on clearing bus stops, crosswalks, and fire hydrants before restoring regular waste collection schedules. The department also confirmed that garbage removal citywide is one day behind schedule but emphasized that interruptions of this kind are typical following heavy snow.
The Parks Department reported similar prioritization, with crews concentrating on high-traffic pedestrian areas and accessibility features before resuming routine maintenance.
Still, many residents remain dissatisfied. Josh Tepper, who lives across from Gracie Mansion, described what he saw as “the most vile thing.”
“His one strip is nice, but where all the ‘civilians’ live, it’s a complete disaster,” Tepper said of Mamdani. “The socialist king gets to have a clean driveway. It just makes me enraged.”
Others described the accumulation of debris as a public embarrassment and questioned the city’s preparedness for winter emergencies.
Outside Manhattan, similar sanitation backlogs have been reported in the Bronx, where trash piles along the Grand Concourse have attracted vermin. Neighbors there said they have done what they can to clear sidewalks but believe city crews have not provided adequate support.
The ongoing cleanup effort and the deaths linked to the freezing weather represent two of the most significant early challenges for the Mamdani administration. City agencies say full restoration of normal waste and snow removal service will take several more days.