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The Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association
Who We Are and How We Work
What is the MPTA (Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association)?
It is required that buildings such as Manhattan Plaza have one representative organization for residents. That organization must be formed according to certain criteria. In 1978, after meeting those criteria, the MPTA was formed making it your legitimate and legally recognized voice. What does that mean? The MPTA is the only organization which is considered to be the representative body for Manhattan Plaza residents by HPD (NY City agency which is MP’s “contract administrator”), HUD (Federal Agency responsible for MP’s project-based Section 8 subsidy), MP Management and Related Companies.
The MPTA hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Elected officials speak at our meetings frequently. Our seminars always draw a huge crowd. We host block parties, tag sales and pot luck dinners and plan to expand our social events in the future. Manhattan Plaza, being such a large part of the neighborhood population, is involved with community issues as well.
MPTA Meeting Procedure
If you have a concern as a resident of Manhattan Plaza, your first course of action is to go directly to MP Management. This procedure is necessary before bringing your issue to the MPTA. If your issue concerns maintenance, rent, retro rent, etc., call MP Management at (212) 971-0660, or drop a note in the MP Management Suggestion Box in your lobby.
To be clear, the MPTA is not meant to be your initial contact for your individual problems, except in extraordinary circumstances. MP Management should be contacted first. If the problem is not addressed by them, MPTA will assist. Remember, it is MP Management’s responsibility to address residents’ concerns. That’s what they get paid to do! The MPTA Executive Committee is made up of volunteers. They give their time and energy to help the residents of Manhattan Plaza. Keep in mind they are not employees. Their position is to lead and act for “common good” for all residents.
In February of 2002, the MPTA, by membership resolution, established a meeting procedure to better serve us all. If you wish to bring up an issue at an MPTA meeting, please:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the MPTA meeting begins.
- Ask for a “concern card” and write out a short summary of your issue
- Give the card to an MPTA Executive Committee Member and briefly discuss the item.
- You will be asked if you have contacted MP Management, and the result of that contact. If you have not yet communicated with MP Management, you will be asked to do so before MPTA will consider bringing up the issue at an MPTA meeting.
- Seniors are exempt from writing out their issue but must arrive early and discuss it with an Executive Committee member.
All residents (MPTA members or not) are welcome to fully participate in MPTA meetings. However, joining the MPTA by paying yearly dues is encouraged and there are certain benefits. For example, MPTA members are allowed to apply in advance for block sale space, certain neighborhood discounts may require showing the MPTA card, etc. If a resident claims financial hardship, dues will be adjusted. Except for the election of Executive Committee Officers, Recall of an Officer and Constitutional Amendments (described in the next paragraph), issues are voted on by all residents attending our meetings.
Requirements for Voting in Elections, Recall of Officers, and Constitutional Amendments:
- MPTA Membership Dues must be paid up
- MPTA Members must have attended 3 MPTA meetings in the past 12 months.
To easily comply with eligibility requirements, please bring your MPTA membership card when you attend meetings. When you sign in, using the stamp located near our sign in sheet, please stamp the back of your card. The stamps will be different for each meeting. Once your MPTA membership card has 3 stamps, you will have satisfied one of the two voting requirements, and you do not need to stamp it a fourth time when you sign in.
For the Election of Officers, Recall of Officers or Constitutional Amendments, MPTA members will simply show that their card has 3 meeting stamps in order to vote. We will still be able to verify unclear attendance, but the card system is much easier, given the size of our membership. When you receive your card, please keep it handy.
Membership is on a yearly basis. Membership drives begin each January or February. Download a form below and drop your dues in the lobby box at any time throughout the year. But remember, each January/February your membership is up for renewal. We encourage you to join early in the year.
Newsletters are written as often as possible. We do our best to ensure that newsletters are delivered to your door. If that is not possible, they will be placed in each lobby.
MPTA Contact Info
Website: www.mptenants.com,
Email: mpta@mptenants.com
24-hour Voicemail: (212) 330-9285
MPTA Suggestion Boxes: Located in each lobby and clearly marked “Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association.” Notes that are not signed with contact information will be discarded.
To keep current with Manhattan Plaza issues, watch for our postings on the MPTA lobby bulletin boards. We encourage that residents read the bulletin boards frequently for current updates and postings. We suggest you make it part of your daily routine when you pick up your mail.
Thank you for your support, and welcome to the Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association “Making a Great Place to Live Even Better!”
Sincerely,
MPTA Executive Committee
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