Locals demand action as weeks-old 311 complaints go unresolved amid policy shift under new administration
New York, NY — July 13, 2026
Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered little clarity Monday on why New York City has failed to clear a sprawling homeless encampment blocking sidewalks near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Midtown Manhattan.
At a press conference in Brooklyn, the mayor avoided directly addressing the site on Twelfth Avenue near West 46th Street and West 45th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues. Instead, he emphasized the city’s broader focus on housing solutions.
“We are focused on connecting New Yorkers to shelter and on establishing a pipeline to stable housing, not just moving New Yorkers from one place to another place,” Mamdani said. When pressed on the specific encampment, he added: “To this specific encampment that you brought up, we’re going to look into the details of that.”
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Encampment Continues to Expand
The makeshift settlement has grown in recent weeks, featuring tents, tarps, shopping carts, bicycles, and scattered belongings. It sits directly in view of the historic aircraft carrier-turned-museum, creating an eyesore for tourists, locals, and museum visitors.
Residents have filed repeated 311 complaints over several weeks, but the city has taken no visible action to clear the area. The New York Post first highlighted the issue last week, noting the encampment’s rapid expansion along multiple blocks in the neighborhood.
Shift in City Policy
Under the Mamdani administration, responsibility for clearing homeless encampments moved from the NYPD to the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The current policy calls for outreach efforts followed by clearance after seven days if individuals do not move into shelter.
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Critics argue this approach has not been consistently applied at high-profile or heavily complained-about locations like the Intrepid site.
Local Frustration Mounts
Community members and business owners in the area say the encampment creates safety concerns, blocks pedestrian access, and harms the neighborhood’s appeal. Tourists arriving at one of Manhattan’s most popular attractions are now greeted by tents and debris just steps away.
Some individuals living in the encampment have reportedly praised the mayor in earlier coverage, but widespread calls for enforcement continue.
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What’s Next?
The story remains fluid as the city says it will review the specific complaints. With summer tourism in full swing and the Intrepid Museum drawing thousands of visitors daily, pressure is mounting for a swift resolution.
New Yorkers and observers will be watching closely to see whether the administration follows through on its outreach-first policy or takes more direct action to restore sidewalk access and public order near this iconic waterfront landmark.
