New Yorkers are in disbelief as heaps of trash and filthy snow clutter the city’s streets while the grounds of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s $100 million mansion remain spotless.
More than a week has passed since historic Winter Storm Fern brought more than a foot of snow to some NYC neighborhoods.
But the Big Apple is still grappling with the aftermath – and fed-up residents have been forced to trek through slush and avoid smelly trash piles lining the roads.
Massive mounds of plowed snow have been adding to the mess, as it has been too cold for them to melt and there are no signs of temperatures heating up anytime soon.
Meanwhile, the Gracie Mansion in the Upper East Side is in pristine shape.
Mamdani and his artist wife Rama Duwaji have resided at the historic home in Carl Schurz Park, which is funded by a combination of private donations and NYC tax dollars, since January 12.
Pictures of the sweeping property from Monday show an almost snow-free pavement, with small white heaps mixed with dirt neatly scooped out of the way.
This is a stark contrast from what much of the rest of the city looks like.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji moved into the mansion on January 12
Trash bags and furniture are seen piled on the street just outside the Gracie Mansion on Monday
A massive pile of filthy snow is seen in front of a fire truck in NYC on Monday
The Gracie Mansion is in pristine shape, with no garbage piles or heaps of snow in sight
Just outside the park’s grounds, a loose piece of furniture and black trash bags are clogging up the sidewalk.
Scattered recycling and cardboard boxes have also been seen dirtying the city.
Other boroughs, including Brooklyn and Staten Island, have also been feeling the brunt of what local officials described as the city’s neglect.
Staten Island politicians recently complained after learning that the city redirected sanitation from the forgotten borough elsewhere – leaving streets unsalted and dangerously icy.
The mess in NYC has prompted a response from Will & Grace star Debra Messing, who took to X on Saturday to share her grueling travel experience.
She complained: ‘Sitting in a taxi trying to get to an appointment. Should take 20 minutes, we are at an hour and ten minutes and counting. The streets are a disaster.
‘It hasn’t snowed in five days and the streets still haven’t been cleared. Poor ambulance sitting in essentially a parking lot with sirens going. I’m praying for the person needing emergency care.
‘I’ve lived here for 15 years (this go around) and this has never happened. The plows have always worked around the clock to get the city back to working. I wonder what happened?’
She then urged locals to ‘hang in there’ until the situation improves.
Join the debate
Is it fair for city leaders to enjoy spotless luxury while ordinary New Yorkers struggle with filth and neglect?
Mamdani and his artist wife Rama Duwaji have resided at the historic home in Carl Schurz Park, which is funded by a combination of private donations and NYC tax dollars, since January 12
Will & Grace actress Debra Messing is seen in October 2025
Messing voiced her frustration with the city’s cleanup operations on Saturday
A man walks past a snow pile taller than him on Monday – more than a week after the snow has stopped
The 57-year-old actress has seemingly expressed discontent with Mamdani in the past, coming under fire in November for insinuating he was a ‘jihadist’ in an Instagram repost – a baseless claim which has not been substantiated.
‘This level of gridlock and uncleared streets a week after the storm is unacceptable,’ one man reacted to Messing’s snow gripes.
‘A lot of New Yorkers voted for policies and leadership that promised better city services and management, yet here we are with basic snow removal still failing and emergency vehicles trapped.’
Others have described the streets as ‘disgusting’ and slammed poor leadership.
‘Okay but mountains of garbage?’ One man shared, alongside an image of clear trash bags on top of a pile of snow.
‘Even when it’s clear days NYC still has trash issues. They waste millions of dollars on free homes for illegal immigrants yet can’t have a better solution for trash besides dumping it on the side of the streets?’
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a DSNY spokesperson said that workers are prioritizing trash and compost – ‘the stuff that can smell’ – over recyclables.
‘We are picking up all streams, all across the city, just on a slight delay,’ he assured.
A woman walks by a nearly blackened snow pile on Monday
Loose cardboard is seen scattered near clear garbage bags on top of snow on Monday
More garbage clogging up the city’s streets as freezing temperatures prevent the snow from melting
‘Most New Yorkers will recall that this is standard practice during and after winter weather events.
‘Years ago, trash collection would have been outright paused for weeks after a storm like this, but today we are able to do some of both at the same time.’
He described the trash pickup and snow removal as a ’24/7 operation’ with hundreds of trucks deployed and thousands of staffers working 12-hour shifts at a time until they are caught up.
According to a DSNY FAQ memo, since its employees are tasked with snow cleanup, ‘trash and recycling collection may be delayed or suspended, depending on the intensity of the storm.’
On Friday, Mamdani defended the Sanitation Department’s efforts, explaining that the freezing temperatures have created difficult conditions for the essential workers.
‘These are tough conditions, and these workers are doing essential work to keep this city moving,’ he said.
New York has been experiencing an extended streak of unbearably cold temperatures.
After nine days of below-freezing temperatures, the city finally reached 34 degrees on Monday – ending the longest cold period since 2018.
But forecasts indicate that there is little hope of any snow-melting weather any time soon. Light flurries may even hit New York on Tuesday night.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.
