All articles by Devin Gannon

Go behind the scenes at Morningside Heights’ Riverside Church and its 400-foot-tall bell tower

Exterior photo via Wikimedia; Photo of bell tower © 6sqft

January 23, 2020

Go behind the scenes at Morningside Heights’ Riverside Church and its 400-foot-tall bell tower

By Devin Gannon

After nearly 20 years, the iconic bell tower of the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has officially reopened. The impressive Gothic-style cathedral is home to the 74-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, which includes a 40,000 pound Bourdon bell, the largest tuned bell in the world. The tower closed to the public almost two decades ago following 9/11 but reopened for public tours earlier this month. 6sqft recently took a tour of the stunning Riverside Church, known for its interdenominational services and dedication to social justice causes.
Take the tour

MTA unveils first look at new open-gangway subway cars

Photo courtesy of the MTA on Flickr

January 22, 2020

MTA unveils first look at new open-gangway subway cars

By Devin Gannon

Straphangers will soon be able to move freely between some subway cars. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday released photos of the city's newest subway fleet which features an "open-gangway" design, or accordion-like walls located at the ends of cars. The R211 car design is meant to increase capacity by allowing for better movement and "customer flow." Expected to be partially delivered later this year, the new subway cars are part of a nearly $4 billion contract awarded to Kawasaki Industries in 2018.
See it here

Transit

Rendering of 1277 East 14th Street by Maqe

January 21, 2020

91 middle-income units up for grabs at brand new Midwood rental, from $2,346/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery launched Tuesday for 91 middle-income apartments at a newly constructed building in Midwood. Located at 1277 East 14th Street in the central Brooklyn neighborhood, the building sits on the former site of Vitagraph Studios, an acclaimed production company founded in the borough in 1897. The Vitagraph Apartments, which opened last summer, contain 302 units and amenities like a landscaped roof deck and fitness center. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which includes $2,346/month one-bedrooms and $2,830/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

City likely to rename Bronx block outside of Yankee Stadium after Derek Jeter

Photo by Daniel Vargas on Unsplash

January 16, 2020

City likely to rename Bronx block outside of Yankee Stadium after Derek Jeter

By Devin Gannon

Although he's moved on to a new team and city, former Yankee Derek Jeter will always be a Bronx Bomber in the eyes of fans. As a way to honor the star shortstop and current Miami Marlins coach, two Bronx Council Members are introducing legislation to rename East 161st Street, the block in front of the stadium, "Jeter Street," as amNY first reported.
More details here

Celebrities

17 spots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2020 in NYC

January 15, 2020

17 spots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2020 in NYC

By Devin Gannon

The two-week-long celebration of Lunar New Year begins next week, considered one of New York City's most festive events of the year. The welcoming of the Year of the Rat, the first zodiac animal and said to be a sign of wealth, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 25 and is followed by 15 days of festivities, including lots of parades, performances, and firework displays. With several Chinatowns and many Asian communities found across the five boroughs, there are fun Lunar New Year activities for all New Yorkers, from Lower Manhattan's 21st annual Chinatown parade to the first-ever Asian comedy festival.
Our favorites ahead

Events & Things To Do

Group of Coney Island boardwalk businesses could see up to 400 percent increase in rent

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

January 15, 2020

Group of Coney Island boardwalk businesses could see up to 400 percent increase in rent

By Devin Gannon

Owners of six small businesses in Coney Island, Lola Star Boutique, Nathan's Famous, Ruby's Bar & Grill, Paul's Daughter, Tom's Restaurant, and the Coney Island Beach Shop, are currently negotiating new 10-year lease agreements with amusement park operator Zamperla. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the boardwalk businesses are facing rent increases of between 50 and 400 percent each. "We care about Coney Island and its future, and we are dedicated to making it as strong a community as possible," Alessandro Zamperla, the president of the company, told the Times. "This is why we've been working with our tenants to ensure their success and preserve the character of Coney Island." Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration has not come forward with a plan to mediate; according to the newspaper, the rent increases do not violate the agreement between Zamperla and the city.
Find out more

Real Estate Trends

Bushwick rezoning stalled after city dismisses community plan

Photo by Mike Steele on Flickr

January 13, 2020

Bushwick rezoning stalled after city dismisses community plan

By Devin Gannon

The plan to rezone Bushwick hit a possibly fatal roadblock Monday after city officials and local politicians failed to reach an agreement on affordable housing requirements. The city said it will not study the Bushwick Community Plan (BCP), first envisioned by the community in 2014 to address out-of-context development, as part of its proposal, effectively postponing the rezoning. After years of Bushwick residents calling for a study of the area's growing gentrification, the city released its official rezoning plan last April. But local stakeholders and leaders, including Council Members Antonio Reynoso and Rafel Espinal Jr., said the city's plan fell short of the vision laid out in the BCP.
Details here

Policy

NYPL reveals its 10 most borrowed books of all time

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc/NYPL

January 13, 2020

NYPL reveals its 10 most borrowed books of all time

By Devin Gannon

Brooklyn-born author Ezra Jack Keats' beloved children's story The Snowy Day is the most checked out book of all time at the New York Public Library. In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the library on Monday released a list of the 10 most borrowed books at its 92 branches since its founding in 1895. A team of experts at NYPL put together the list by looking at checkout and circulation data, overall trends, current events, popularity, and length of time in print, and presence in the catalog.
Which books made the list

City Living

MTA blames subway door problems on faulty locking mechanism

A R179 A train at Broad Channel; Photo by Mtattrain on Wikimedia

January 10, 2020

MTA blames subway door problems on faulty locking mechanism

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority pulled nearly 300 new subway cars from service this week because of problems with the door's locking mechanism, officials revealed Thursday. The entire fleet was decommissioned after two recent incidents were reported of doors opening while the trains were still moving. During a press conference on Thursday, Andy Byford, the president of NYC Transit, said the MTA plans to hold manufacturer Bombardier "fully accountable" and hire a third-party review to investigate the inspections before the cars are cleared to return to service.
Get the details

Transit

BQX streetcar plan rears its head, as city announces public meetings and updated timeline

Rendering via NYCEDC

January 10, 2020

BQX streetcar plan rears its head, as city announces public meetings and updated timeline

By Devin Gannon

The city is once again inching forward with its plan to bring a streetcar to run between Brooklyn and Queens, a problem-plagued $2.7 billion proposal first presented five years ago. The New York City Economic Development Corporation on Thursday launched a new website for the Brooklyn Queens Connector (BQX) with information about public community meetings planned for February and March. According to the website, the city expects a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the project to conclude in the spring of 2021, with the final statement ready by that fall. But questions about the logistics of constructing the streetcar's 11-mile route and its growing price tag.
It's back

Transit

Popular Articles

Plans filed for large apartment building on parking lot of classic Coney Island restaurant Gargiulo’s

View of 1517 Surf Avenue; Photo courtesy of Ace Aerial

January 9, 2020

Plans filed for large apartment building on parking lot of classic Coney Island restaurant Gargiulo’s

By Devin Gannon

The owner of a 100-year-old Italian restaurant in Coney Island has agreed to lease the establishment's neighboring parking lot to a luxury real estate developer. Gargiulo's Restaurant owner Louis Russo filed a 99-year ground lease for the lot at 1517 Surf Avenue, located about one block from the boardwalk, with developer LCOR, as first reported by the Brooklyn Paper. According to the developer, plans will likely involve a mixed-income residential development and ground-floor retail.
Get the details

New Developments

Community board committee rejects design for proposed Harry Potter store in Flatiron

Rendering of Wizarding World by Studio Superette, courtesy of Manhattan Community Board 5

January 9, 2020

Community board committee rejects design for proposed Harry Potter store in Flatiron

By Devin Gannon

The landmarks committee of a Manhattan community board this week dismissed the design for a proposed Harry Potter-themed store and exhibit in the Flatiron District. Warner Brothers Entertainment announced plans last September to open Wizarding World at 935 Broadway, a landmarked building constructed in 1861. But the company's proposal to alter the historic structure by adding wand-style flagpoles and a fiberglass dragon was rejected as "inappropriate" by Manhattan Community Board 5's landmarks committee on Tuesday, as the Wall Street Journal first reported.
See the design

9 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in NYC

The 2019 MLK celebration at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum; Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Children’s Museum/ Winston Williams

January 8, 2020

9 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Every third Monday of January, we celebrate the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of activism and unity. Recognized as a federal holiday since 1983, MLK Day gives New Yorkers who get the day off from work a chance to honor King's life through live performances, panel discussions, and storytelling. As one of two federal holidays designated as a national day of service, the January 20 holiday, seen as a "day on, not a day off," also provides an opportunity to volunteer in communities across the city. We've found MLK Day activities, events, and service opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages, from a walking tour of historic Harlem to community-building workshops in South Brooklyn.
Get the full list

Events & Things To Do

Real estate investors spend $166M on group of Mitchell-Lama buildings in the Bronx

2111 Southern Boulevard; Map data ©2020 Google

January 7, 2020

Real estate investors spend $166M on group of Mitchell-Lama buildings in the Bronx

By Devin Gannon

A group of real estate companies has purchased eight affordable housing buildings in the Bronx for $166 million. LIHC Investment Group, Belveron Partners, and Camber Property Group last week announced the joint deal, which involves 1,275 housing units and 10 commercial units that fall under the city's Mitchell-Lama program. The firms plan to keep the units affordable, instead of converting them to market-rate apartments when the rent regulations expire.
Learn about it

Affordable Housing

Cuomo revives plan to overhaul Penn Station and create new Empire Station Complex

Rendering of new entrance on 8th Avenue to Penn Station via Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

January 6, 2020

Cuomo revives plan to overhaul Penn Station and create new Empire Station Complex

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is returning to one of his favorite infrastructure proposals: the overhaul of Penn Station. During an event on Monday hosted by the Association for a Better New York, the governor announced plans to build the Empire Station Complex, a station that would link a modernized Penn Station, the soon-to-be-open Moynihan Train Hall, and a new terminal one block south of the existing site. The plan, first introduced by the governor in 2016, would add eight new tracks and increase train capacity by 40 percent at the station, which currently serves more than 650,000 passengers each day.
See the updated plan

New York had offered Amazon $800M more than originally known for HQ2 site

CC Photo via Cheap Full Coverage Auto Insurance on Flickr

January 6, 2020

New York had offered Amazon $800M more than originally known for HQ2 site

By Devin Gannon

In its attempt to lure Amazon to open its second headquarters in New York, officials offered the company $800 million more in incentives than previously known to the public. Documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal reveal the breadth of the proposal from state and city leaders as part of Amazon's year-long contest in 2017 to find a new home for 50,000 jobs. According to the WSJ, the original offer to Amazon included $1.4 billion of tax credits, $1.1 billion in grants, and part of the salaries paid for some employees.
Find out more

Policy

Public library in Long Island City’s Citigroup Building will close next month

Streetview of the library; Map data © 2020 Google

January 6, 2020

Public library in Long Island City’s Citigroup Building will close next month

By Devin Gannon

A popular public library in Queens is shutting its doors next month. The Queens Public Library at Court Square, located at 25-01 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, will close sometime in February after occupying the ground floor of the Citigroup Building for more than 30 years. The library faced threats of eviction after Amazon pulled out of its plan to move its headquarters to the neighborhood last year, which included its lease agreement at One Court Square.
More here

Uncategorized

Roosevelt Island’s Nellie Bly memorial revealed

Design by Amanda Matthews; courtesy of RIOC

January 3, 2020

Roosevelt Island’s Nellie Bly memorial revealed

By Devin Gannon

The design of a new memorial honoring investigative journalist Nellie Bly has been officially unveiled. Tapped by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, artist Amanda Matthews of Prometheus Art presented during a town hall last month "The Girl Puzzle" memorial, which will feature sculptures of Bly and four faces of women and girls who she interviewed. The memorial, whose design was first spotted by THE CITY, will be installed in late 2020 at the tip of Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island.
See it here

See inside The Deco, an eclectic new food hall in Midtown West

Photo by Max Lau

January 3, 2020

See inside The Deco, an eclectic new food hall in Midtown West

By Devin Gannon

A new food hall opened this month in Manhattan's Garment District, adding some bold flavors to the mostly lackluster options in the neighborhood. Located at 231 West 39th Street, The Deco Food + Drink features eight family-owned vendors, a cocktail bar, and event space. An ode to 1920s New York, the Carpenter & Mason-designed space features an Art Deco aesthetic, with geometric tiles, bright blues, and brass accents framing each section.
See inside

Food & Dining

Times Square’s Palace Theatre overhaul includes outdoor stage and ‘ball drop’ suites

Rendering courtesy of TSX Broadway

January 2, 2020

Times Square’s Palace Theatre overhaul includes outdoor stage and ‘ball drop’ suites

By Devin Gannon

A mixed-use development project hopes to bring even more bright lights and theatrics to Times Square. A team of developers, led by L&L Holding Company, will provide the ultimate New Year's Eve experience at its new luxury hotel, part of the plan to transform the historic Palace Theatre into TSX Broadway. New renderings of the $2.5 billion project, which involves raising the theater more than 30 feet and building a 669-room hotel above it, show off suites with perfect views of the Times Square ball drop, the neighborhood's first outdoor stage, and immersive retail experiences.
Learn more

City to double number of facade inspectors after pedestrian’s death

729 Seventh Avenue; Map data © 2019 Google

December 31, 2019

City to double number of facade inspectors after pedestrian’s death

By Devin Gannon

The city's Department of Buildings is enhancing its facade inspection process nearly two weeks after a pedestrian was killed by a falling piece of terra cotta in Midtown. The agency announced on Monday plans to hire 12 new staff for its facade inspection team as well as increase the number of proactive re-inspections and field examinations. "New Yorkers should know that we are out in force holding owners feet to the fire, so they get repair work done as quickly as possible while still protecting the public," DOB Commissioner Melanie La Rocca said. "With our enhanced inspection protocols and expanded staff, owners who choose to skirt their obligations will face swift consequences."
Find out more

Policy

Famed flea market in Chelsea has closed

The Hell’s Kitchen Antiques Fair & Flea Market closed in 2018; Photo by S.J.I on Flickr

December 30, 2019

Famed flea market in Chelsea has closed

By Devin Gannon

After nearly five decades in operation, a famed flea market in Chelsea officially closed on Sunday, the New York Times reported. Alan Boss, the owner of the Annex Antiques Fair and Flea Market, which first opened in 1976 on a corner lot on West 25th Street, said the landlords did not renew the market's lease. While Boss said he hoped to find a new location, there isn't much remaining in the expanding neighborhood. "The current location was the last available lot of any size," Boss told the Times.
More here

Real Estate Trends

Cuomo vetoes bill to legalize e-bikes despite overwhelming support

Photo by Peter Burka on Flickr

December 27, 2019

Cuomo vetoes bill to legalize e-bikes despite overwhelming support

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have legalized electric bikes and scooters, despite overwhelming support from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Approved by Albany in June, the bill legalized e-bikes and e-scooters, capping their speeds at 25 and 20 miles per hour, respectively, for riders aged 16 years and older. But Cuomo said the bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Nily Rozic and State Sen. Jessica Ramos, left out safety measures he had sought.
More here

Cuomo revives proposal for high-speed rail in New York

High-speed rail in London; Photo by Paul IJsendoorn on Pexels

December 27, 2019

Cuomo revives proposal for high-speed rail in New York

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday revived a decades-long proposal to bring high-speed rail to New York. As part of his 2020 State of the State agenda, the governor said he will convene a group of experts to "reexamine and rethink strategies" to connect New York City with cities across New York. Despite being called a priority of New York leaders for decades, including former Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1990s, the high-speed rail proposal has failed to materialize due to exorbitant costs and logistical issues.
Details this way

Transit

NYC Council members propose ‘gentrification tax’ for new homebuyers

Photo via Creative Commons

December 26, 2019

NYC Council members propose ‘gentrification tax’ for new homebuyers

By Devin Gannon

New homebuyers in New York City could be charged property tax based on actual market prices, the New York Post reported on Wednesday. A group of city lawmakers is pressing Albany to change state laws to close a loophole that offers tax breaks to homebuyers in gentrifying neighborhoods. The "gentrification tax," as the Post called it, would have homebuyers pay market rate taxes, rather than the assessed value, as a way to make the system fairer.
More here

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