All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Hochul considers resuming congestion pricing after Trump win

Credit: Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

November 11, 2024

Hochul considers resuming congestion pricing after Trump win

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul is reportedly exploring ways to revive congestion pricing before President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to eliminate the plan, takes office. As first reported by Politico, the governor's office has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation about potentially lowering the proposed toll from $15 to $9 and whether this change would require another lengthy environmental review process.
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Everything you need to know about the 2024 Veterans Day Parade in NYC

Photo by Sgt. Randall A. Clinton for MarineCorps New York on Flickr

November 8, 2024

Everything you need to know about the 2024 Veterans Day Parade in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

This year's Veterans Day returns to New York City on Monday, November 11. As the country's largest Veterans Day commemoration, the event features 20,000 marchers and over 150 vehicles traveling down Fifth Avenue in tribute to our armed forces. The 105th annual parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at 26th Street and Fifth Avenue and heads north until ending at 47th Street. The United States Marine Corps is this year's featured service.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC issues drought watch following second-longest dry spell on record

Photo courtesy of Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

November 8, 2024

NYC issues drought watch following second-longest dry spell on record

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has issued a drought watch amid its second-longest dry spell on record. Mayor Eric Adams and the city's Department of Environmental (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala on Sunday issued a citywide drought watch, instructing city agencies to update water conservation measures and prepare to implement them, while urging the public to conserve water as much as possible. The announcement follows a historically dry October, marked by the second-longest rainless streak in city records dating back to 1869.
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Policy

20 places to volunteer in NYC this holiday season

Credit: West Side Campaign Against Hunger

November 7, 2024

20 places to volunteer in NYC this holiday season

By Aaron Ginsburg

As the holiday season rolls around and we enjoy time with loved ones, it's easy to overlook New Yorkers facing hunger, unemployment, homelessness, or health challenges. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand across the five boroughs—whether it's serving at food pantries or helping deliver meals to seniors. Ahead, discover volunteer opportunities in NYC where you can make a meaningful difference this holiday season and beyond.
give back

Hochul shows no signs of resuming congestion pricing before Trump takes office

Credit: Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

November 7, 2024

Hochul shows no signs of resuming congestion pricing before Trump takes office

By Aaron Ginsburg

Transit advocates are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to fund congestion pricing before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who has promised to terminate the program during his first week in office. During a press conference on Wednesday, Hochul said she could only provide updates on MTA funding later this year and did not address the fate of congestion pricing, while still acknowledging the limited time before Trump takes office.
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$50M penthouse is the last residence available at the Upper East Side’s famed Surrey Hotel

All renderings courtesy of Noë & Associates with V1

November 7, 2024

$50M penthouse is the last residence available at the Upper East Side’s famed Surrey Hotel

By Aaron Ginsburg

Manhattan's famed Surrey Hotel is making a comeback. Following bankruptcy proceedings, new owners, and a renovation, the 100-year-old Art Deco landmark at 20 East 76th Street on the Upper East Side reopened last month as a condo hotel, with 100 hotel rooms and 14 condos, part of the Surrey Residences. Now, after a whisper sales campaign, just one remaining apartment is about to hit the market: a three-bedroom duplex penthouse asking $50,000,000. The sprawling residence, the building's most expensive, offers 5,195 square feet plus 2,346 square feet across three terraces and a private rooftop.
tour the penthouse

Abortion rights protected in New York constitution, Adams’ ballot proposals pass

Credit: Nick Fewings on Unsplash

November 6, 2024

Abortion rights protected in New York constitution, Adams’ ballot proposals pass

By Aaron Ginsburg

A proposition to enshrine abortion rights in New York passed on Tuesday, according to election results published by the Associated Press. New Yorkers also voted to approve four of the five proposals that change the City Charter pushed for by Mayor Eric Adams, who called the polls an "overwhelming success" for his administration.
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Policy

58 apartments available at Gowanus rental, from $848/month

Renderings courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

November 6, 2024

58 apartments available at Gowanus rental, from $848/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery launched this week for 58 mixed-income apartments at a brand-new rental near the Gowanus Canal. Located at 240 3rd Avenue, Union Channel offers tenants light-filled apartments complemented by an impressive suite of amenities. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, with studios priced from $848/month, one bedrooms from $903, two bedrooms from $1,071, and three bedrooms from $1,225.
learn if you qualify

Affordable Housing

With opening of final tower, Jersey City’s Journal Squared development is complete

Credit: Mean Genius

November 5, 2024

With opening of final tower, Jersey City’s Journal Squared development is complete

By Aaron Ginsburg

The final tower of Jersey City's massive three-building complex Journal Squared opened last week, marking the completion of the transformative development. City officials joined Kushner Real Estate (KRE) Group and National Real Estate Advisors to celebrate the opening of the 60-story tower at 615 Pavonia Avenue; the two other high-rise rentals have already opened. The $900 million, 2.3 million-square-foot Journal Squared development first broke ground in 2014 and includes more than 1,800 luxury apartments.
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Real Estate Trends

The A train won’t run in the Rockaways for 4 months starting in January

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

November 5, 2024

The A train won’t run in the Rockaways for 4 months starting in January

By Aaron Ginsburg

The A train will shut down in the Rockaways for four months starting in January to strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather. From January 17 to May 19 next year, the A train will not run at all between Howard Beach-JFK Airport to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street or Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue in both directions. During this period, the Rockaway Park Shuttle, which normally runs to Broad Channel, will instead operate between Rockaway Park and Far Rockaway, with no shuttle service running at all during the first week of the closure
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Popular Articles

The Frick to reopen in April after renovation of Upper East Side mansion

The Frick Collection from East 70th Street; rendering courtesy of Selldorf Architects

November 4, 2024

The Frick to reopen in April after renovation of Upper East Side mansion

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Frick Collection is set to reopen its newly renovated historic home at 1 East 70th Street on the Upper East Side in April 2025. The renovation, designed by Selldorf Architects, will provide a fresh and exciting way to experience the museum's legendary collections, featuring revitalized historic spaces, new amenities, and expanded galleries, including public access to the mansion's second floor for the first time. During the renovation, the museum temporarily resided in the iconic Breuer Building from 2021 until March 2024.
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NYC Council responds to ‘City of Yes’ with housing plan that goes beyond zoning

Credit: Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash

November 4, 2024

NYC Council responds to ‘City of Yes’ with housing plan that goes beyond zoning

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York City Council has released a housing plan as a counter-proposal to Mayor Eric Adams' "City of Yes" plan. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams last week announced "City for All," which pairs the zoning changes of the mayor's plan, currently under review by the Council, with several measures and funding demands to ensure affordability for renters and homeowners.
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Updated Midtown South rezoning plan could create nearly 10,000 new homes

8th Avenue below 40th Street. Photo © Ondel Hylton

November 1, 2024

Updated Midtown South rezoning plan could create nearly 10,000 new homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

New zoning tools will allow the city to build bigger apartment buildings in Midtown Manhattan, doubling the new housing units permitted under a proposed rezoning. The Department of City Planning on Thursday released an updated draft of the Midtown South rezoning plan to incorporate floor area ratio (FAR) caps of 15 to 18, enabled by the state's recent repeal of the 12 FAR cap. This change allows larger developments and roughly 9,700 new homes, up from a previous estimate of 4,000, in a 42-block area of Midtown where housing development has been largely prohibited.
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11 public projects in NYC recognized for excellent design

Renderings courtesy of NYC Parks unless noted otherwise

November 1, 2024

11 public projects in NYC recognized for excellent design

By Aaron Ginsburg

Eleven innovative projects across New York City have been recognized for their contributions to nurturing a more sustainable and engaging public realm. Mayor Eric Adams this week announced the winners of the 42nd annual Awards for Excellence in Design, selected by the city's Public Design Commission (PDC) from hundreds of submissions in 2023. This year's award-winning projects exemplify how urban planning can vastly enhance the daily lives of New Yorkers, transcending mere aesthetics to create resilient infrastructure, foster community bonds, and provide accessible recreational and educational spaces.
read about the winners

Architecture And Design

‘Canstruction’ returns: NYC’s large-scale can sculpture contest kicks off in FiDi

All photos courtesy of Heidi Lee

October 30, 2024

‘Canstruction’ returns: NYC’s large-scale can sculpture contest kicks off in FiDi

By Aaron Ginsburg

"Canstruction," the beloved annual competition challenging teams of architects, engineers, and contractors to create intricate sculptures from cans, is returning for another year. As part of the contest, participants create large-scale structures using unopened food cans, all of which are donated to City Harvest, New York City's largest food rescue organization, and distributed to food pantries afterward. Hosted at Brookfield Place, the event is free and open to the public, running from October 31 through November 11.
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Events & Things To Do

MTA moves forward with design of Interborough Express project

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

October 30, 2024

MTA moves forward with design of Interborough Express project

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Interborough Express, a proposed public transit connection between Brooklyn and Queens, is one step closer to becoming a reality. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the preliminary engineering and design phase of the 14-mile light rail line and began an environmental review with the federal government, according to Bloomberg. The initial phase is expected to take roughly two years to complete.
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Jaywalking is now officially legal in New York City

Credit: Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

October 30, 2024

Jaywalking is now officially legal in New York City

By Aaron Ginsburg

Jaywalking—a habit of many New Yorkers—is now officially legal in New York City. After the City Council passed a bill decriminalizing the act, New Yorkers can now legally cross the street at any point, regardless of the traffic signal and in or outside the crosswalk. The bill, adopted as a law last week, aims to address racial disparities in enforcement. According to Brooklyn Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, the bill’s sponsor, 90 percent of jaywalking tickets in 2023 were issued to Black and Latino residents, as reported by the Guardian.
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‘Smart Curbs’ program to optimize curb space on the Upper West Side

Images courtesy of NYC DOT

October 29, 2024

‘Smart Curbs’ program to optimize curb space on the Upper West Side

By Aaron Ginsburg

The streets of the Upper West Side will soon better suit community needs as part of a new initiative by the Department of Transportation. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Monday announced the launch of the agency's "Smart Curbs" pilot program on the Upper West Side, which will modernize the streets by adding neighborhood loading zones, bike corrals, and other amenities and policies to create cleaner, more vibrant, and less congested public spaces from West 86th to West 72nd Streets, between Broadway and Central Park West.
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Hunter’s Point waterfront rental opens lottery for 173 apartments, from $2,490/month

Renderings by Binyan unless otherwise noted.

October 29, 2024

Hunter’s Point waterfront rental opens lottery for 173 apartments, from $2,490/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 173 middle-income apartments in a new luxury rental development on the Long Island City waterfront. Located at 2-20 Malt Drive in Hunter's Point South, the 34-story building is part of the three-tower Malt Drive development bringing over 1,000 new homes to the area. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $2,490/month for studios to $3,590/month for two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

MTA releases Olivia Rodrigo MetroCards as second-to-last custom card

Credit: Rahul Bhatt

October 28, 2024

MTA releases Olivia Rodrigo MetroCards as second-to-last custom card

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released its second-to-last limited-edition MetroCard before fully transitioning to the tap-and-go OMNY system. In collaboration with Sony, the special cards will feature pop star Olivia Rodrigo wearing the new Sony Linkbuds in her signature purple aesthetic. The MTA on Monday loaded machines at seven subway stations across the city with 50,000 limited-edition cards.
find out where to get them

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree comes from Massachusetts

Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer

October 28, 2024

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree comes from Massachusetts

By Aaron Ginsburg

This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been unveiled. The 74-foot-tall Norway Spruce hails from West Stockbridge in Massachusetts—the first tree sourced from the state since 1959—and will be cut down on Thursday, November 7, and make its journey to Manhattan. The spruce arrives at Rockefeller Center on Saturday, November 9. Following the tree's decoration with thousands of twinkling lights and its iconic Swarovski star, the annual tree lighting ceremony takes place on Wednesday, December 4.
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Events & Things To Do

Fifth Avenue’s tallest condo tower, 520 Fifth Avenue, tops out at 1,002 feet

Renderings courtesy of Binyan Studios unless otherwise noted.

October 28, 2024

Fifth Avenue’s tallest condo tower, 520 Fifth Avenue, tops out at 1,002 feet

By Aaron Ginsburg

The tallest residential tower on Fifth Avenue has officially topped out. Developed by Rabina and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the 88-story mixed-use tower at 520 Fifth Avenue has topped out at 1,002 feet, making it the second tallest structure on the iconic corridor after the Empire State Building. Slated for completion in 2025, the elegant skyscraper will feature boutique office floors on the lower levels, with luxury condos beginning on the 42nd floor.
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New Developments

World Trade Center to host free viewing parties for Yankees Dodgers World Series

Babe Ruth batting in an exhibition game between the Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers, April 1934. Image via WikiCommons

October 25, 2024

World Trade Center to host free viewing parties for Yankees Dodgers World Series

By Aaron Ginsburg

In partnership with Major League Baseball, the World Trade Center will host free viewing parties of the 2024 World Series as the New York Yankees face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kicking off Friday for game one, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will show the games on a massive screen at the North Oculus Plaza on the World Trade Center campus. Attendees can enjoy food and beverages from the nearby Oculus Beer Garden, as well as offerings from Westfield World Trade Center shops and restaurants.
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Events & Things To Do

Landmarked East Harlem public library reopens after $34M renovation

All photos courtesy of New York Public Library/Jonathan Blanc unless otherwise noted

October 25, 2024

Landmarked East Harlem public library reopens after $34M renovation

By Aaron Ginsburg

After a three-year $34.4 million renovation, a landmarked New York Public Library branch in East Harlem is reopening this month. Designed by McKim, Mead & White in 1904, the building at 224 East 125th Street had fallen into disrepair and had been closed since 2021. The revamped building will celebrate its reopening on October 30 at 10 a.m.
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