All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

July 12, 2022

Lottery opens for 224 units at OMA’s zig-zagging Greenpoint towers, from $1,437/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 224 middle-income units at a new residential development on the Brooklyn waterfront. Located within the Greenpoint Landing development, Eagle+West offers luxury homes, incredible views, high-end amenities, and unparalleled waterfront access. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $51,840 for a single person and $206,875 for a household of seven, can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,437/month for studios to $3,397/month for three bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
July 12, 2022

Flood zone maps & inflatable dams: NYC’s plan to prepare New Yorkers for extreme rainfall

Almost a year after severe flooding caused by Hurricane Ida left more than a dozen New Yorkers dead, the city has released a plan to prepare for extreme rainfall. With hurricane season well underway, Mayor Eric Adams last week unveiled the new action plan "Rainfall Ready NYC," which outlines steps New Yorkers should take during extreme rainfall. The city also updated its flood zone maps that help residents identify if they live in an area at risk of flooding.
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July 11, 2022

600 NYC restaurants to participate in Restaurant Week this summer

New York City's beloved dining event that gives patrons the opportunity to eat at the city's best restaurants with discounted, prix-fixe menus is back for its 30th season. NYC & Company, the city's tourism agency, last week announced reservations are now open at 600 participating restaurants across 85 neighborhoods. The program, which launched in 1992, runs for a month from July 18 through August 21.
Get the details
July 11, 2022

22 middle-income units available at new luxury rental in Park Slope, from $2,300/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 22 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located at 262 9th Street in Park Slope, The Deermar is an 11-story residential building offering tenants spacious units and modern amenities, like a landscaped rooftop and fitness center. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $78,858 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced from $2,300/month studios to $3,344/month two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 8, 2022

Where to see the final Manhattanhenge of 2022

Twice every year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid, making for a picturesque moment that brings New Yorkers a much-needed moment of calm. This effect, dubbed Manhattanhenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, first blanketed the city streets with the sun's glow on May 29 before making its final appearance on July 12.
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July 8, 2022

How to celebrate Bastille Day 2022 in NYC

Just a little over a week after the United States celebrates its independence, France celebrates its own freedom. Held on July 14, Bastille Day commemorates the day French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille and sparked the beginning of the French Revolution. Here is a round-up of Bastille Day celebrations in New York City, from the larger festivities in Central Park to specials at French restaurants throughout the city.
See the list
July 7, 2022

In Brooklyn, Fred Wilson’s first large-scale public sculpture examines concept of freedom

Bronx-born conceptual artist Fred Wilson last week unveiled his first-ever large-scale public sculpture. Located within Columbus Park in Downtown Brooklyn, Mind Forged Manacles/Manacle Forged Minds features the use of ornamental gates, fences, and 10-foot-tall statues of African figures as metaphors for systematic racism and "acts in conversation" with the neighborhood's nearby landmarks and buildings. Presented by More Art, Wilson's sculpture is on display through June 2023.
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July 6, 2022

This new tropical ‘beach club’ brings Tulum to NYC’s Governors Island

A new tropical restaurant has opened on Governors Island, promising to transport New Yorkers to Tulum, a town on the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Grupo Gitano announced last week the opening of Gitano Island, a tranquil 27,000-square-foot sandy getaway with Mexican cuisine, live music, and lush plants and palm trees, all just a boat ride away from Manhattan.
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July 6, 2022

On Brooklyn’s largest private rooftop, you can pick your own apples

Forget the annual fall trip upstate to go apple picking. At One Prospect Park West, a new condominium in Park Slope, residents have access to a pick-your-own apple orchard on the rooftop. Designed by ODA, the rooftop measures nearly 7,500 square feet, boasts panoramic views, and is considered the largest private roof terrace of any condo development in the borough. New images were released this week of the rooftop, which represents the first landscape-only project from ODA.
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July 5, 2022

Portside is Lower Manhattan’s latest waterfront retreat

Brookfield Properties last week announced the grand opening of their new nautical-inspired pop-up, Portside. Located at Brookfield Place's Upper Plaza in the Financial District, the space is free, open to the public, and offers guests breathtaking views of the New York Harbor. The space will also host weekly programming and events, as well as offer cocktails and food provided by Tartinery. Portside will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September.
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July 5, 2022

New photo exhibit shows New York City children playing on car-free streets in the summer of ’68

The city's Parks Department opened a new photography exhibition at Central Park's Arsenal Gallery that displays more than 40 archived photographs from the department's collection. Called "Streets In Play: Katrina Thomas, NYC Summer 1968," the exhibit features images taken by the late photographer Katrina Thomas, who in 1968 was hired by NYC Mayor John Lindsay and tasked with capturing the city's summer initiative, "Playstreets," in which residential blocks were closed to vehicles and instead equipped for recreational activity.
Take a look
July 1, 2022

Lottery opens for 32 low-income units designed for seniors in Hunts Point, from $1,487/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 32 low-income units at a new development in the Bronx. Located at 661 Manida Street in Hunts Point, the 8-story building offers seniors newly constructed residences and a variety of amenities. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $54,343 for a single person and $85,440 for a household of two, are eligible to apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,487/month studios to $1,583/month one-bedrooms.
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June 30, 2022

55 middle-income units available at CetraRuddy’s new Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $2,307/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 55 middle-income units at a new residential development in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 22 Chapel Street, the 20-story tower offers its residents a prime location at the intersection of Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Fort Greene Park, Boerum Hill, Barclays Center, and the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $79,098 for two people and $215,150 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,307/month studios to $3,431/month three bedrooms.
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June 29, 2022

Two tudor-filled areas in Queens’ Cambria Heights designated as historic districts

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to designate two districts in the Queens neighborhood of Cambria Heights as historic districts. The two areas, known as the 222nd Street and 227th Street Historic Districts, contain 96 well-maintained Tudor-style rowhouses that incorporate Storybook design elements. Both historic districts have been deemed by the LPC to be extraordinarily well-preserved and give the area a "highly distinctive sense of place."
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June 28, 2022

Meriem Bennani reveals first-ever public sculpture on the High Line

New York City-based artist Meriem Bennani last week debuted her first public sculpture, a captivating kinetic structure that kicked off the summer season of the High Lines Art's program. Windy, co-commissioned by High Line Art and Audemars Piguet Contemporary, is a 9-foot-tall spinning structure comprised of approximately 200 black foam discs that spin at different speeds and in unique sequences. Located on the High Line at 24th Street, Bennani's piece will stay on view to the public until May 2023.
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June 27, 2022

25 low-income units available at 14-story Mott Haven condominium, from $1,576/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 low-income units at a new residential development in the Bronx. Located in Mott Haven, 310 Grand Concourse is a 14-story condominium building with 150 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $56,983 for a single person and $115,280 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,576/month studios to $2,002/month two-bedrooms.
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June 27, 2022

13 spots to watch the 4th of July fireworks in NYC

To most Americans, the Fourth of July means good food, drinks, time spent with family and friends, but most importantly, fireworks. Luckily for New Yorkers, the city has plenty of opportunities to see fireworks with Macy's annual 4th of July Fireworks show and Jersey City's own grand fireworks display. For those seeking an unforgettable Independence Day experience, here is a selection of the best ticketed events to enjoy this year's July 4th fireworks celebration, from waterfront bars lining the East River's piers to the city's highest observation decks.
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June 24, 2022

First LGBTQ+ National Park Service visitor center to open at NYC’s Stonewall Inn

The National Park Service's first LGBTQ+ visitor center will open at Greenwich Village's Stonewall Inn, organizers announced this week. Pride Live, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, officially broke ground on the future 3,700-square-foot Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), expected to open in 2024. Located at 51 Christopher Street, the center will sit directly next to the historic Stonewall Inn and provide a space to learn about the Stonewall Rebellion in its original location.
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June 23, 2022

NJ’s American Dream mall will open huge food hall with iconic NYC eateries

New Jersey's American Dream on Thursday announced the seven vendors that will make up the mega mall's food hall. The 10,000-square-foot space will feature iconic New York City food and drink offerings, as well as oversized games, including Jenga, corn hole, and Connect 4. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Best Pizza will be opening their first Garden State locations within the mall, along with NYC favorites Vinoteca, Lady M, and Vanessa's Dumpling House. The food hall will celebrate its grand opening on July 13 with a corn hole tournament, live music, kid's games, and prizes.
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June 23, 2022

MTA pledges to make 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a class action settlement agreement to make 95 percent of currently inaccessible subway stations accessible to those with disabilities over the next three decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday. Currently, just 27 percent of the New York City subway system, including Staten Island Railway stations, are fully accessible to riders with disabilities. Under the agreement, which still requires court approval, the MTA will make accessible 81 stations by 2025, another 85 stations by 2035, another 90 stations by 2045, and the last 90 stations by 2055.
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June 22, 2022

Broadway will drop mask mandate for month of July

Masks will no longer be required at all of Broadway's 41 theaters next month, the Broadway League announced Tuesday. Starting July 1, masks will be optional for audiences at shows. The League said masking protocols for August and beyond will be reviewed on a monthly basis, with an updated decision made in mid-July. While masks will not be required, audience members are still encouraged to wear them.
Learn more
June 22, 2022

Lottery opens for 25 middle-income units on the Bushwick-Bed-Stuy border, from $2,499/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located on the border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick, 912 Broadway is an eight-story mixed-use building with 81 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $85,680 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which include $2,499/month one-bedrooms and $2,999/month two-bedrooms.
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June 21, 2022

Leasing launches at waterfront rental Astoria West, with apartments priced from $2,920/month

A new three-building development in Astoria with hundreds of apartments officially launched leasing on Tuesday. Developed by Cape Advisors, Astoria West, located at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard faces the tiny urban "beach" Hallet's Cove and contains 534 rentals and more than 40,000 square feet of amenities. Available units range from studios to two bedrooms, priced from $2,920/month.
Check it out
June 21, 2022

Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Pride March

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the NYC Pride March is returning to the city, fully in person, on Sunday, June 26. The theme for this year's march is "Unapologetically Us," with Ts Madison, Punkie Johnson, Schuyler Bailar, Dominique Morgan, and Chase Strangio set to be the event's grand marshals. Ahead, get the details for this year's parade and learn more about other Pride events taking place.
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June 20, 2022

Lottery opens for 84 affordable units in the Bronx neighborhood of Williamsbridge, from $681/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 84 affordable units at a new rental in the Bronx. Located on East 211th and East 212th Streets between White Plains Road and Holland Avenue, Williamsbridge Gardens offers its residents a wide variety of amenities and services for low-income and formerly homeless households. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $26,229 for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $681/month one-bedrooms to $2,273/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify