City Living

Jack holds a box of face shields ready to be delivered

May 27, 2020

Meet iMakr, the Brooklyn 3D-printer that’s made 5,000 face shields for NYC’s healthcare workers

When the Mayor and the Governor spoke out about the city's dire need for PPE, many hero companies stepped up to the plate, including Industry City's iMakr, an outpost of the world's largest 3D-printing and 3D-scanning store. They knew they had enough equipment and the know-how to create simple but much-needed face shields, and so their three-man team in Brooklyn immediately got to work. To date, they've distributed more than 5,000 face shields to more than 20 local hospitals. Ahead, we chat with Jack Keum, iMakr's business manager, to learn more about the company's mission to help our frontline workers through this crisis.
Hear from Jack

New York Public Library considering curbside pickup service

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

May 27, 2020

New York Public Library considering curbside pickup service

By Devin Gannon

The New York Public Library is reviewing plans for curbside pickup service as the organization prepares to reopen after the coronavirus pandemic. As first reported by THE CITY, cardholders would be able to order books or other materials by phone or online for grab-and-go pickup, under one plan being considered. Books could be picked up in the lobbies or on the sidewalks of some branches.
Details here

City Living

NYC landmarks will ‘go green’ to honor parks workers

Photo (cropped) by Arturo Pardavila III via Flickr cc

May 20, 2020

NYC landmarks will ‘go green’ to honor parks workers

By Dana Schulz

At sunset on Thursday, May 21, the Empire State Building, Central Park Arsenal, Washington Square Park Arch, Coney Island's Parachute Jump, and the Bronx's Ranaqua Park will "go green" to honor parks workers, who have been part of the city's essential workforce during the current COVID crisis. #GoingGreenForParkies "is the ultimate acknowledgment and thank you for all their hard work," which has kept public parks well-maintained "in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors," according to a press release.
READ MORE

NYC politicians call for outdoor restaurant seating on sidewalks, streets, and parking spots

Outdoor seating in the West Village, photo by cultivar413 via Flickr cc

May 18, 2020

NYC politicians call for outdoor restaurant seating on sidewalks, streets, and parking spots

By Dana Schulz

There's still a way to go before restaurants in New York City can fully reopen (they'll be in phase three of the plan), but the struggling industry is hoping that the city will help in the form of outdoor seating. As Eater first reported last month, restaurant owners are advocating for the Mayor to extend his current open streets from pedestrians to al fresco dining to allow for more social distancing. And now, local elected officials are joining the call, hoping that sidewalks, streets, and parking spots can be used for outdoor service starting this weekend. The call comes after crowds were spotted gathering on sidewalks and drinking since the city has allowed bars and restaurants to sell to-go drinks.
READ MORE

Domino Park puts social-distancing circles in place to control crowds

Photo by Amanda Dombrowski on Instagram: @amanda.dombrowski

May 18, 2020

Domino Park puts social-distancing circles in place to control crowds

By Dana Schulz

After continued overcrowding despite the city's social distancing mandates, Domino Park has taken a unique approach to control crowds. Over the weekend, the Williamsburg waterfront park implemented painted white circles to delineate the appropriate spacing for persons or groups. As Greenpointers first noticed, photos on social media seem to show people sticking within their circles and even waiting nearby for circles to open up.
READ MORE

City Living

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

May 13, 2020

NYC opens 12 more miles of open streets

By Dana Schulz

This brings the total to nearly 21 miles since Mayor de Blasio first announced that he'd be opening up 40 miles of streets to pedestrians by the end of the month, with an ultimate goal of 100 miles throughout the current COVID crisis. In his press conference this morning, the mayor announced the third round of open streets totaling 11.7 miles would be opening tomorrow, along with 9.2 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of May. Some of the new open streets include those in Hudson Yards, the first on the Upper West Side and in Long Island City, and those adjacent to seven more parks in Brooklyn.
READ MORE

Artwork titled “Now & Forever” by Tristan Eaton created exclusively for Montefiore and Alto New York’s 2020 “Heroes” campaign

May 12, 2020

Street artist Tristan Eaton reveals new Midtown mural thanking NYC’s nurses

By Dana Schulz

Los Angeles-based painter and designer Tristan Eaton is well known for his street murals, which he's brought to NYC through a collaboration with Montefiore Hospitals. The towering artwork, which sought to capture the heroism of our healthcare workers, is located on 34th Street and 8th Avenue and is part of a larger appreciation campaign for National Nurses Week sponsored by Montefiore and its creative company of record, Alto NY. They wanted to create a "digital" ticker-tape parade and "extend the Canyon of Heroes to the doors of every hospital in New York." Using Eaton's mural as a template, New Yorkers can create their own hero image by uploading a photo on the website or through Instagram. In addition, Montefiore has created a moving video thanking all the brave nurses.
READ MORE

40+ ways New Yorkers are helping healthcare workers

Photo by Luis Melendez on Unsplash

May 11, 2020

40+ ways New Yorkers are helping healthcare workers

By 6sqft

While most New Yorkers are working from home or finding ways to entertain themselves while indoors, our health care community is on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, with many pulling double shifts and working seven days a week. To show gratitude for this heroic community, many local companies are stepping up to the plate, offering free meals, lodging, transportation, and even footwear. Ahead, 6sqft has begun compiling a list of the resources available to NYC's front-line responders. This list was last updated at 4:30 pm on Monday, May 11, 2020.
READ MORE

Photo by Maksim Axelrod

May 8, 2020

The Sill is delivering 10,000 orchids to healthcare workers for Mother’s Day

By Dana Schulz

Sure, it's going to be hard on everyone to be apart this Sunday, but think about all of our healthcare heroes who will be working on the frontlines this Mother's Day. To show their gratitude, local houseplant haven The Sill and its orchid partner Just Add Ice are donating 10,000 orchids to frontline healthcare workers at Mount Sinai’s seven NYC hospitals. They delivered the first 5,000 yesterday and will be distributing the rest today.
READ MORE

City Living

East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

Photo by Alex Lozupone on Wiki Commons

May 8, 2020

East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

By Devin Gannon

A fixture on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue in the East Village for 100 years, Gem Spa has permanently closed. The store, considered home to New York's best egg cream, had been struggling financially due to the gentrification of the neighborhood, as well as the loss of its cigarette and lottery licenses last year. While a fundraising effort launched last fall by current owner Parul Patel helped temporarily, the coronavirus pandemic "ultimately sealed the fate" of the institution.
Details this way

City Living

‘Save a seat’ fund gives free Broadway tickets to frontline workers

By Devin Gannon

An initiative launched this week to donate free Broadway show tickets to frontline workers. As first reported by Variety, the ticket website TodayTix has started the "Save a Seat" fund to reserve the best seats at shows for essential workers when theater returns following the coronavirus pandemic. The site has also rebranded as TommorrowTix, to give artists and theater lovers something to look forward to during this difficult time.
Learn more

JetBlue is doing a NYC flyover tonight to honor healthcare workers

Airbus A320, take off, photo courtesy of JetBlue press

May 7, 2020

JetBlue is doing a NYC flyover tonight to honor healthcare workers

By Dana Schulz

Yesterday, JetBlue announced its Healthcare Hero program through which the airline will provide roundtrip flight certificates for two to anywhere JetBlue flies for 100,000 healthcare workers. To coincide with the initiative, they'll "bring the Clap Because We Care movement to the skies with a three aircraft, low altitude flyover salute above New York City" tonight at 7 pm. The flyover will be done by three New York-themed painted JetBlue planes, honoring the FDNY, NYPD and I LOVE NY/Empire State Development.
See the flight path

Most new COVID cases in New York are non-essential workers staying at home

Slide from Governor Cuomo’s 5/6/20 press presentation

May 6, 2020

Most new COVID cases in New York are non-essential workers staying at home

By Dana Schulz

New York State has been on a downward trajectory for the past couple of weeks when it comes to COVID-related deaths and ICU admissions. However, even as the number of new cases trends down, it still is a strikingly large number considering all of the shut-down measures. It was only at the very end of April that the number of new daily COVID cases entering the hospital system dropped below 1,000. Yesterday, there were 601 new cases and 659 and 717 the days prior. To understand this, Governor Cuomo asked hospitals to begin surveying these new patients. There was a lot of speculation that the data would show essential workers riding public transit or vulnerable groups such as those in nursing homes or the prison system. However, the reality is that most of the recent new COVID cases are non-essential workers who are at home and not riding public transit.
See the data ahead

City Living

NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

May 6, 2020

NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

By Devin Gannon

The city will distribute 7.5 million free face coverings to New Yorkers in parks, grocery stores, public housing, and near transit, ramping up an earlier effort launched last week. During a press briefing on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said "wherever you turn, you're going to be offered a face covering," over the next few weeks. Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring New Yorkers to wear a face mask or face-covering in public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
Find out where to get a free mask

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 6, 2020

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

By Dana Schulz

After finally getting on board with the idea of opening New York City streets to pedestrians, Mayor de Blasio closed the first wave of streets to cars earlier this week. This totaled 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks; eventually, the city will open up to 100 miles of streets. The next group will open up tomorrow, which includes 1.5 miles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx done in collaboration with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), as well as 0.4 miles in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Get the full list of streets

Photo by Toni Reed on Unsplash

May 5, 2020

The 10 best bike shops in New York City

By Devin Gannon

Considered an essential business, bike shops in New York City are staying open to keep cyclists moving during this unprecedented crisis. With gyms and playgrounds closed, and many avoiding public transit, New Yorkers are taking to two wheels to get exercise and fresh air, especially as the weather starts to warm. With modified hours and social distancing measures in place, bike shops across the five boroughs are taking their role as essential businesses seriously. For both newbie bikers and veteran cyclists alike, we've rounded up some of our favorite local shops that remain open.
Roll on this way

City Living

First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 1, 2020

First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

By Devin Gannon

The first phase of the city's plan to close up to 100 miles of streets to cars will start on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. The first streets to open to pedestrians include 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks, according to the mayor. "The goal here is more space, more social distancing," de Blasio said.
Get the details

New York City lovebirds can get married online starting next week

Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels

April 29, 2020

New York City lovebirds can get married online starting next week

By Dana Schulz

"We need moments of joy now more than ever, and we won’t let a pandemic get in the way of true love," said Mayor Bill de Blasio in his announcement that New Yorkers will be able to obtain marriage licenses online from the City Clerk by the end of next week. Called Project Cupid, the initiative is helmed by the Mayor and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. It comes after Governor Cuomo signed an executive order on April 18th that allows bureau clerks to perform wedding ceremonies virtually.
READ MORE

These maps and apps tell you which businesses are open in your NYC neighborhood

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

April 28, 2020

These maps and apps tell you which businesses are open in your NYC neighborhood

By 6sqft

We all want to support the small businesses in our New York neighborhoods during this difficult time. But sometimes it's hard to keep track of which stores and restaurants are currently open. A number of local websites and organizations have created easy-to-use search engines and interactive maps that provide information on open businesses.
Explore the maps

‘Stand by Me’ is the pick for Thursday’s NYC sing along

Photo by Norbert Kundrak on Unsplash

April 28, 2020

‘Stand by Me’ is the pick for Thursday’s NYC sing along

By Dana Schulz

Now in its third week, Peace of Heart Choir's city-wide sing along is encouraging New Yorkers to open up their windows this Thursday and belt out Ben E. King’s 1961 classic "Stand by Me." The first event kicked off with Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," and last week was Bill Withers' "Lean on Me." As always, the sing along will start at 7:02pm, just following the nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare ritual.
READ MORE

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to fly over NYC to honor essential workers

Six F-16 Fighting Falcons flying over NYC in 2005; U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean Mateo White on Flickr

April 27, 2020

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to fly over NYC to honor essential workers

By Devin Gannon

The United States Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds will fly over parts of New York City on Tuesday to honor coronavirus essential personnel. The 40-minute joint flyover is part of the mission "Operation America Strong," announced by President Donald Trump last week, as the Washington Post first reported. The performance will happen across parts of the city and Newark starting at noon on April 28 and then move onto Trenton and Philadelphia.
Details here

The Empire State Building’s new light shows honor essential workers and first responders

Photo by Neil Cooper on Unsplash

April 27, 2020

The Empire State Building’s new light shows honor essential workers and first responders

By Dana Schulz

After kicking off on Saturday, the Empire State Building will continue to put on nightly light shows in honor of specific first responders and essential workers. The landmark began its #HEROESSHINEBRIGHT series by paying tribute to the FNDY and EMS on Friday, doctors, nurses, and the medical community on Saturday, and correction officers on Sunday. Tonight, watch the building blink orange, blue, and white in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as blue and gold in honor of the U.S. Navy.
See the rest of the lineup

Coney Island nonprofit launches virtual face mask design contest

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

April 24, 2020

Coney Island nonprofit launches virtual face mask design contest

By Devin Gannon

With the Mermaid Parade officially canceled, the Coney Island nonprofit behind the event is hoping to celebrate creativity in another way this year. Coney Island USA announced on Friday plans to host a "Put on a Funny Face Design Contest," described as the "world's first-ever mask design contest." The virtual contest is being presented by Spectrum News NY1 and will be judged by yet-to-be-announced celebrities of Coney Island.
Learn more

Most NYC sidewalks are too narrow for proper social distancing

Photo by Enrique Alarcon on Unsplash

April 23, 2020

Most NYC sidewalks are too narrow for proper social distancing

By Devin Gannon

In a dense city like New York, social distancing is no easy task. Garbage piles, sidewalk sheds, and people make it hard to maintain six feet from others, the recommended distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A new interactive map created by urban planner Meli Harvey shows the width of each sidewalk in the city, with the most narrow highlighted in red and the widest in blue. As expected, there's a lot of red on the map.
Explore the map here

City Living

City Living

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 Passport to NYC:Subscribe for Local Insights and Stories!

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Your Passport to NYC:
Subscribe for Local Insights and Stories!