All articles by Devin Gannon

118 affordable apartments up for grabs at new Far Rockaway rental, from $367/month

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

June 23, 2020

118 affordable apartments up for grabs at new Far Rockaway rental, from $367/month

Applications are now being accepted for 118 apartments at a newly constructed affordable rental in the Queens neighborhood of Far Rockaway. Located at 19-15 Nameoke Avenue (also known as 14-14 Central Avenue), the eight-story building incorporates the existing Community Church--the Nazarene into the residential part of the building, which contains 142 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $367/month studios to $1,472/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

June 23, 2020

Manida Street in the Bronx becomes NYC’s 150th historic district

By Devin Gannon

The Bronx has gained a new historic district, making it the 150th district to be landmarked in New York City. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the Manida Street Historic, a block of semi-attached brick homes in Hunts Points. Residents first pushed for the South Bronx street to be recognized in 2010, as development began to accelerate in the neighborhood. "This gem of a district is a complete district that still exists and is not only a reminder of the 20th-century residential development of the South Bronx, but it’s also a reflection and testament to the commitment of its current community," LPC Chair Sarah Carroll said on Tuesday.
Get the details

Policy

Landscape architects West 8 created NYC’s largest private outdoor garden at One Manhattan Square

Rendering courtesy of Extell

June 22, 2020

Landscape architects West 8 created NYC’s largest private outdoor garden at One Manhattan Square

By Devin Gannon

The coronavirus pandemic--which forced New Yorkers to shelter in place and adhere to social distancing rules--has many apartment dwellers longing for private outdoor space. While a lot of us would be content with a balcony or rooftop access, Extell, the developer behind One Manhattan Square, has taken the idea of residential outdoor space to the next level. At the Lower East Side condo tower, residents have access to 45,000 square feet of green space designed by landscape architecture firm West 8. Considered to be one of the largest private gardens in the city, the East River-facing green space is uniquely located on an incline and contains several distinct areas designed for active and passive use. Ahead, hear from the team at West 8 on creating an urban oasis in one of the city's busiest neighborhoods as well as the many perks of the space, including an adult treehouse, tea pavilion, star-gazing observatory, and more.
Hear from the architects

Theodore Roosevelt statue will be removed from NYC’s Museum of Natural History

Photo by Mike Steele on Flickr

June 22, 2020

Theodore Roosevelt statue will be removed from NYC’s Museum of Natural History

By Devin Gannon

A statue of Theodore Roosevelt that depicts the former president on horseback flanked by a Native American man and an African man will be removed from the steps of the American Museum of Natural History, officials announced on Sunday. The decision to take down the statue, which local activists have requested for years, comes as a renewed discourse about racism and racist symbols continues to grow across the country following the death of George Floyd last month.
Find out more

Target to open new stores on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side

Rendering of the Columbus Circle store planned courtesy of Target

June 22, 2020

Target to open new stores on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side

By Devin Gannon

Manhattan will get two new Target stores, adding to the retail giant's growing New York City footprint. As first reported by PincusCo, the company has signed a 20-year lease for a store at Vornado Realty Trust's 150 East 86th Street on the Upper East Side and a 15-year lease for space at 795 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, overseen by the Chetrit Group. The two new locations, totaling nearly 80,000 square feet, will be small-format stores, which offer easy pick-up service and grab-and-go products.
Get the details

Real Estate Trends

29 affordable senior and supportive housing units available near Prospect Park, from $411/month

Photo by Thomson200 on Wikimedia

June 19, 2020

29 affordable senior and supportive housing units available near Prospect Park, from $411/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery opened this week for 29 affordable apartments designated for seniors and formerly homeless women and families at a new rental in Flatbush. The nine-story building at 1921 Cortelyou Road replaced the nearly century-old Baptist Church of the Redeemer in 2018 but incorporates a new sanctuary in its design. To apply for the apartments, New Yorkers must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older and earns $73, 680 or less, annually. Eligible applicants will pay 30, 40, or 60 percent of the area median income for units ranging from a $411/month one-bedroom to a $1,148/month two-bedroom.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

Here are the five NYC streets getting a ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural

Photo by Anthony Quintano on Flickr

June 19, 2020

Here are the five NYC streets getting a ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday unveiled the five streets that will be painted with a "Black Lives Matter" mural. The large artwork will be designed along Centre Street in Manhattan, Richmond Terrace on Staten Island, Joralemon Street in Brooklyn, 153rd Street in Queens, and Morris Avenue in the Bronx. Earlier this month, the mayor said the streets will also be renamed after the movement, in addition to the street painting. A similar mural dedicated to Black Lives Matter was painted on Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy last weekend.
Details here

Photo by Erick Zajac on Unsplash

June 19, 2020

11 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Juneteenth has been observed by African Americans nationwide for more than 150 years as a celebration of the day enslaved Black people were liberated in the United States. This year, as Black Lives Matter demonstrations continue across New York City, the holiday takes on special significance as a day of action, reflection, and education. New York officials are recognizing the weight of the anniversary by making Juneteenth an official state holiday and a city holiday, set to be observed by public schools next year. Although the festivals and cookouts of the past are on hold this year in light of the coronavirus, there are many virtual and socially distanced events happening across the city, from a digital day of dance to a cyclist-led Freedom Ride.
See the list

Events & Things To Do

New York bars violating reopening rules could lose liquor license or be forced to close, under new order

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place in May by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

June 18, 2020

New York bars violating reopening rules could lose liquor license or be forced to close, under new order

By Devin Gannon

Any New York bar or restaurant found to be in violation of the state's reopening rules could now immediately lose their liquor license or be forced to shut down. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed two executive orders that would allow for officials to revoke liquor licenses if state guidelines are not followed. The governor's second executive order holds bars responsible for the area in front of their establishment. The mandates come after Cuomo said he would reverse the reopening of some regions if the state's guidelines were not followed. According to the governor, more than 25,000 complaints about businesses in violation of the reopening plan have been filed statewide since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a majority of grievances made about restaurants and bars in Manhattan and in the Hamptons.
Find out more

Plan for mini beach and waterfront esplanade at Bushwick Inlet Park moves forward

Rendering courtesy of Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP.

June 18, 2020

Plan for mini beach and waterfront esplanade at Bushwick Inlet Park moves forward

By Devin Gannon

The city's plan to bring a waterfront park and small beach to Greenpoint is moving forward. The Parks and Waterfront Committee of Brooklyn's Community Board 1 earlier this month approved a revised design from New York City Parks and architect firm Abel Bainnson Butz for a 1.9-acre passive park at Bushwick Inlet Park. The nearly $10 million project redevelops and remediates a section of land known a the Motiva parcel, which is bounded by Kent Avenue and Quay Street and North 14th Streets.
Learn more

NYC reveals outdoor dining plan ahead of Monday’s phase two reopening

By Devin Gannon

New York City is officially entering phase two of reopening on Monday. The news has led to questioning of the de Blasio administration as to their plan for outdoor dining, with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and others rallying for immediate action yesterday. In his press conference on Thursday, the mayor laid out details of the city's Open Restaurants program that will allow restaurants to set up sidewalk seating and curb lane seating, convert adjacent parking spots into seating, utilize plaza seating through Business Improvement Districts, and, come July, add seating areas on streets currently closed to cars.
More here

NYC freezes rent for stabilized apartments

Photo by Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash

June 18, 2020

NYC freezes rent for stabilized apartments

By Devin Gannon

The Rent Guidelines Board on Wednesday voted to freeze rents for one year for rent-regulated apartments, offering tenants temporary relief in the current economic recession caused by the coronavirus. The nine-member board approved a measure that freezes rent for one-year leases and for the first year of two-year leases, which can increase 1 percent during the second year.
More here

Policy

Juneteenth to become New York State holiday

Photo of New York State Capitol by wadester16 on Flickr

June 17, 2020

Juneteenth to become New York State holiday

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees and said he will introduce legislation to make it an official New York State holiday next year. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and is celebrated annually on June 19.
Details this way

New report calls for a 425-mile protected bikeway that would connect NYC’s five boroughs

Current bike lanes by Union Square; Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

June 17, 2020

New report calls for a 425-mile protected bikeway that would connect NYC’s five boroughs

By Devin Gannon

When the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City earlier this year, many New Yorkers swapped the subway for cycling as a more socially distant way to commute. Now as the city enters its COVID-19 recovery phase, a planning group is calling on officials to build a network of protected bike lanes across the five boroughs. The Regional Plan Association (RPA) on Wednesday released a report that details plans for a 425-mile bikeway that could be constructed over the next five years and provide a continuous, safe connection between the boroughs.
More here

Transit

43 income-restricted units available at new Harlem high-rise, from $1,208/month

Photo of 56 West 125th Street © CityRealty

June 17, 2020

43 income-restricted units available at new Harlem high-rise, from $1,208/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 43 middle-income apartments at a brand new rental in the heart of Harlem. Located at 56 West 125th Street, the 17-story building contains 141 units and more than 8,700 square feet of ground-floor retail. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,208/month studios to $2,710/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Nathan’s Famous will hold 2020 hot dog eating contest without fans

Photo by Chun-Hung Eric Cheng on Flickr

June 16, 2020

Nathan’s Famous will hold 2020 hot dog eating contest without fans

By Devin Gannon

While most of New York City's annual summer activities and celebrations have been canceled or postponed this year because of the coronavirus, one event will still take place. Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest will forge ahead in Coney Island on July 4, but with no fans, fewer eaters, and social distancing measures in place.
More details

NYC rolls out revamped affordable housing lottery system

Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash

June 16, 2020

NYC rolls out revamped affordable housing lottery system

By Devin Gannon

New York City's highly competitive online affordable housing lottery system is getting a revamp to make applying for the income-restricted apartments easier. The city's Housing Preservation and Development on Tuesday rolled out a new web portal that aims to be more user-friendly, allowing applicants to view available lotteries on their smartphones and upload required documents online.
More here

Lottery opens for 500 affordable apartments at La Central complex in the Bronx, from $395/month

Rendering of La Central A and B, credit: MHG Architects and FXCollaborative

June 16, 2020

Lottery opens for 500 affordable apartments at La Central complex in the Bronx, from $395/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery launched on Monday for 494 affordable apartments at a sprawling development in the South Bronx. Two buildings of the five-building complex La Central are now accepting applications for the units, which range from $395/month studios to $2,689/month four-bedrooms. The rentals, located at 556 and 600 Bergen Avenue, contain a 50,000-square-foot YMCA, GrowNYC-operated rooftop gardens, and ground-floor retail. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Pedestrian path on Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens with public art, scenic overlooks, & food vendors

Photo courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

June 15, 2020

Pedestrian path on Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens with public art, scenic overlooks, & food vendors

By Devin Gannon

The pedestrian-bike path on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge officially opened to the public on Monday. The 3.6-mile shared path serves as the "gateway to the Hudson Valley," connecting Westchester and Rockland Counties, and is one of the longest of its kind in the country, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The path features six different scenic overlooks, 10 public art pieces, and three local food trucks.
See it here

Transit

New Jersey sues Asbury Park for ignoring state order on indoor dining

Photo Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

June 12, 2020

New Jersey sues Asbury Park for ignoring state order on indoor dining

By Devin Gannon

Earlier this week, a beach town in New Jersey said it would allow indoor dining at some businesses next week, defying a recent executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy. The Asbury Park City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to allow bars and restaurants to open their dining rooms at 25 percent capacity starting Monday. Earlier this month, Murphy signed an order that would allow for limited outdoor dining at restaurants starting June 15, but he said "we're not there yet," when it comes to indoor dining. In response, the governor announced today that the state would be suing Asbury to prevent this from happening.
Learn more

Food & Dining

200-name affordable waitlist opens at new rental near Greenpoint waterfront, from $2,100/month

Photo of 197 Freeman Street’s roof deck by Heidi Solander, courtesy of StudiosC

June 12, 2020

200-name affordable waitlist opens at new rental near Greenpoint waterfront, from $2,100/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched on Friday for placement on a 200-name waitlist for apartments at a new rental building in Greenpoint. Located at 197 Freeman Street, the building features amenities including on-site laundry, fitness center, bike storage, indoor garage, and a landscaped roof deck with sweet views of Manhattan. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply. Apartments range from $2,100/month studios to $3,219/month two-bedrooms. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected and placed on the waitlist for future vacancies.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Tour the striking residences of Morris Adjmi’s condo tower in Nomad

Renderings by The Neighbourhood, courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects

June 11, 2020

Tour the striking residences of Morris Adjmi’s condo tower in Nomad

By Devin Gannon

As the architecturally stunning residential tower at 30 East 31st Street nears completion, we're getting a look inside the 479-foot-tall skyscraper. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, the high-rise mixes Neo-Gothic and Art Deco styles present in the historic Nomad neighborhood to create one of the most distinctive new buildings in the city. The sleek design continues to the interiors of 30 E 31, where its 42 apartments boast custom woodwork and floor-to-ceiling windows.
See inside

Photo by Daniel Lee on Unsplash

June 11, 2020

Ahead of city’s phase two of reopening, REBNY releases safety guidelines for real estate brokers

By Devin Gannon

As New York City looks ahead to phase two of reopening, the city's leading real estate trade group released this week safety recommendations for brokers to follow when conducting deals. Following public health protocols, the six guidelines created by the Real Estate Board of New York encourage face masks and social distancing, virtual preliminary meetings, appointment-only showings, and electronic contracts. Plus, REBNY created a COVID-19 screening questionnaire for all parties attending in-person showings to sign.
Find out more

See inside LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B

Photos courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

June 10, 2020

See inside LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B

By Devin Gannon

The new arrivals and departures hall at LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B will officially open on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced. The 850,000-square-foot, four-level space measures roughly 50 percent bigger than the hall it replaces and comes equipped with more check-in kiosks, security lines, and new screening systems, all aimed at improving efficiency and reducing crowds. The new hall is part of the ongoing reconstruction of LaGuardia, an $8 billion project which first broke ground in 2016.
See inside

Transit

35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

Photo by Paul Sableman on Wikimedia

June 10, 2020

35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

By Devin Gannon

The Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow in New York City and across the country, with many people looking to get involved, whether it's donating to antiracist organizations or studying the history of the black experience in America. Another direct action New Yorkers can take to support the black community today is shopping at black-owned businesses. Lists and guides have popped up online in the last few weeks to bring attention to these mom and pop shops, with detailed resources from Black-Owned Brooklyn and this spreadsheet created by New Yorker food critic Hannah Goldfield. The app Eat Okra, which launched three years ago, is also a helpful resource that highlights most of the black-owned restaurants in NYC, which according to Eater, includes more than 2,500 restaurants. Ahead, we break down some of the best black-owned restaurants, cafes, and bars in every borough. It is no means a comprehensive list and we encourage our readers to share with us additional places to include.
See the full list

All articles by Devin Gannon

Pitch a Story

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Distinctive Post Form

Get in Touch

Send us a Tip

Interesting in learning more about purchasing a new home?

Thinking about selling your home?

Sell a Home (Footer)

Before You Move On from this Page.

Your Daily Doseof NYC Life!

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Your Daily Dose
of NYC Life!