Policy

May 18, 2022

New survey highlights NYC’s rental housing crisis, showing few affordable apartments available

The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a report this week revealing the first findings from the 2021 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS). The report illuminates a trove of information on the city's housing realities since the pandemic began. The survey shows that the city’s overall median household income would have to double in order to cover the median asking rent of $2,750/month. It also reveals an extreme shortage of vacant units among the city's low-cost housing: The vacancy rate for homes listed below $1,500/month was less than 1 percent, the lowest in 30 years. And New York City saw a substantial net loss of low-cost units–and a net increase of higher-cost units–since 1991.
More on the state of NYC's rental housing, this way

NYC recommends masks indoors again as ‘high’ alert level is reached

Image courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

May 17, 2022

NYC recommends masks indoors again as ‘high’ alert level is reached

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City on Tuesday officially hit a "high" Covid-19 alert level, meaning there's increased community spread of the virus and significant pressure on the health care system. The new risk level comes a day after city Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan issued an advisory recommending all New Yorkers wear masks in indoor public settings and that those at risk of severe illness avoid crowds. In response to rising cases, the city said it will distribute an additional 16.5 million at-home tests and one million high-quality masks to public schools, community organizations, cultural institutions, libraries, and houses of worship. Although hitting the "high" alert level comes with the recommendation of a mask mandate, the city is not requiring face coverings yet.
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Policy

How mixed-use development Manhattan West is creating a sustainable food system

Photo of Manhattan West © Jakob Dahlin

May 11, 2022

How mixed-use development Manhattan West is creating a sustainable food system

By Aaron Ginsburg

A mixed-use development in Midtown this month announced a new initiative that aims to create a campus-wide sustainable food system. Manhattan West will become the first-ever "Rethink Certified Campus," requiring every food establishment at the development to donate their excess food and prepare free meals for New York City families facing food insecurities, developer Brookfield Properties and nonprofit Rethink Food announced. Funded with a $250,000 donation by Brookfield, the project is expected to collect five tons of excess food and provide 50,000 meals to families in need.
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Policy

NYC subway ridership hits highest level since start of Covid

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

May 10, 2022

NYC subway ridership hits highest level since start of Covid

By Devin Gannon

Ridership on the New York City subway reached a new pandemic-era milestone last week, the Metropolitan Transporation Authority announced. On Thursday, 3,497,122 riders swiped into the system, surpassing the last record set during the pandemic in December 2021. While the new record is a positive sign for the city's recovery, Thursday's ridership is still well below the 2019 weekday average of 5.5 million straphangers.
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Rent Guidelines Board set to approve biggest rent hike for NYC’s stabilized apartments in a decade

Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash

May 6, 2022

Rent Guidelines Board set to approve biggest rent hike for NYC’s stabilized apartments in a decade

By Aaron Ginsburg

Millions of New Yorkers could soon be hit with the biggest rent hike in a decade. In a preliminary 5-4 vote on Thursday, the city's Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) voted to increase rents on stabilized apartments between 2 and 4 percent for one-year leases and between 4 and 6 percent for two-year leases. If approved, the rent hikes would be the largest since 2013 when there was a 4 percent increase for one-year leases and a 7.75 percent increase for two-year leases. A final decision by the board is expected in June.
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Policy

NYC gives billionaire Bill Ackman green light to build rooftop penthouse on Central Park West

All renderings designed by Foster+ Partners, courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

May 3, 2022

NYC gives billionaire Bill Ackman green light to build rooftop penthouse on Central Park West

By Devin Gannon

Billionaire Bill Ackman is getting his Central Park-facing rooftop glass penthouse designed by Norman Foster after all. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans from the hedge fund founder to build a glass penthouse addition on top of a 100-year-old Upper West Side co-op building where he owns an apartment. First presented last November as a two-level glass box on the roof of 6-16 West 77th Street, the approved proposal includes a scaled-down design and more muted materials.
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May 3, 2022

City nixes plan for second Chinatown homeless shelter amid community opposition

By Michelle Cohen

In the second such move in less than a week, New York City has canceled plans for one of a handful of new homeless shelters in Chinatown, the New York Times reports. The planned "safe haven" shelter was to be located in the former Best Western Hotel at the corner of Grand Street and Bowery. The move follows months of vocal opposition to three planned shelters by community members who cite an increase in crimes targeting Asians and a similar announcement last Friday regarding the rollback of plans for a shelter nearby at 47 Madison Street.
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Policy

NYC’s Covid alert level moves to ‘medium’ risk

Photo by Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

May 3, 2022

NYC’s Covid alert level moves to ‘medium’ risk

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan on Monday announced the rate of new Covid-19 cases had reached 200 per 100,000 people, moving the city to a medium-risk alert level. The number of new cases recorded daily citywide on a seven-day average jumped from around 600 in March to 2,600 by the end of April, according to the health department. Officials say the latest surge in Covid cases stems from the Omicron subvariant, BA.2.
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Policy

Plan to convert vacant hotels into affordable housing backed by Mayor Adams

Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

May 2, 2022

Plan to convert vacant hotels into affordable housing backed by Mayor Adams

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday called on Albany to pass legislation that makes it easier for New York City to convert vacant and underused hotels into affordable housing. Introduced earlier this year by Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, the bill creates an exemption to zoning rules that require developers to undergo the city's lengthy land use review process or complete major renovations for hotels to become permanent housing. While the idea of converting hotels into housing has been floated by lawmakers for years without getting off the ground, the city's growing housing and homelessness crises have renewed a push from officials.
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NYC lawmakers call for mandatory citywide compost program at residential buildings

Photo courtesy of the Department of Sanitation

April 29, 2022

NYC lawmakers call for mandatory citywide compost program at residential buildings

By Aaron Ginsburg

A bill introduced in the New York City Council on Thursday calls for the creation of a mandatory citywide composting program at residential buildings. Under the legislation, sponsored by Council Member Shahana Hanif, New Yorkers would be required to separate organic waste from other waste for curbside collection. Pickup of organic waste from residential buildings would begin by the middle of 2023.
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Here are NYC’s new Open Street locations for the 2022 season

By Aaron Ginsburg

More than 300 blocks will be closed to cars for pedestrian use as part of the city's 2022 Open Streets program, the Department of Transportation announced last week. This year's program--considered the largest of its kind in the country--has expanded to include 21 new locations, with a total of 156 locations throughout the five boroughs. All of the open streets will be active by the summer of 2022.
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Adams adds record $171M in budget to fund 1,400 shelter beds for homeless New Yorkers

Photo by Filip Mishevski on Flickr

April 27, 2022

Adams adds record $171M in budget to fund 1,400 shelter beds for homeless New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday announced an additional $171 million for homeless services in his proposed executive budget for the fiscal year 2023. The mayor says the investment will pay for 1,400 Safe Haven and stabilization beds, small-scale alternatives to traditional shelter settings, the creation of three drop-in centers, and improving ongoing outreach efforts. The investment, which City Hall says would be the largest of its kind to be made by the city, will be allocated every year beginning next fiscal year.
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30 Rock’s new ‘skylift’ observation platform and rooftop ride approved by Landmarks

All renderings courtesy of Tishman Speyer

April 26, 2022

30 Rock’s new ‘skylift’ observation platform and rooftop ride approved by Landmarks

By Devin Gannon

A popular New York City observation deck will soon offer a new point of view. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved plans for several upgrades to the Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, including a rotating ride, a rooftop beacon, and a new "skylift" viewing platform that takes visitors above the 70th floor and offers uninterrupted 360-degree views.
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Policy

Adams announces nearly $1B investment for NYC Streets Plan

Image courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 25, 2022

Adams announces nearly $1B investment for NYC Streets Plan

By Aaron Ginsburg

City officials are continuing their efforts to ensure the safety of New Yorkers traveling the streets. Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday announced a historic $904 million investment to help fund the NYC Streets Plan and address the city's traffic violence problem by creating a safer and more environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure. Over the next five years, the investment will be used to expand bike lanes and bus lanes throughout the city and will be put towards the creation of new pedestrian spaces.
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NYC finally launches containerized trash bin pilot

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 21, 2022

NYC finally launches containerized trash bin pilot

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Wednesday unveiled a new containerized waste bin that the city will eventually deploy across all five boroughs in hopes of thwarting rats, making more room on the sidewalks, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. The new bins are part of the city's Clean Curbs Pilot program, which was announced two years ago. The first bins were installed in Times Square on Wednesday.
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NYC doormen union, building owners reach historic deal to avoid strike

Image courtesy of Jamie Grafton on Flickr

April 20, 2022

NYC doormen union, building owners reach historic deal to avoid strike

By Aaron Ginsburg

After a massive rally and a threat of a strike, building service workers and landlords have reached a historic agreement. 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) on April 19 reached a tentative agreement that secures significant wins for building workers, including a nearly 12.6 percent wage increase over the next four years, the highest pay raise in the history of the union. Other victories include a $3,000 bonus for essential workers to counter inflation, 100 percent employer-paid healthcare, and protection of sick leave and paid vacation time. The deal must still be approved by 32BJ members, but the agreement guarantees workers will show up to work as usual on April 21.
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Policy

NYC restores alternate-side parking to clean streets and bike lanes

All images courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 19, 2022

NYC restores alternate-side parking to clean streets and bike lanes

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City officials announced plans to allocate millions of dollars to better clean city streets and bike lanes. Mayor Eric Adams and just-appointed Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Monday announced an $11 million investment for new street cleaning initiatives and better mobility for the sanitation department. Under the initiative, alternate-side parking will return in full force starting July 5. New Yorkers will have to move their cars twice per week, up from once a week during the pandemic, to clear the way for street sweepers and avoid getting a parking ticket.
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MTA keeps mask mandate for NYC subway, despite lift of federal requirement on mass transit

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

April 19, 2022

MTA keeps mask mandate for NYC subway, despite lift of federal requirement on mass transit

By Aaron Ginsburg

While mask mandates are being lifted in public transit systems around the country, New Yorkers should expect to wait a little longer to ride the subway unmasked. According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the agency will require masks to be worn throughout the subway, bus, Metro-North, and Long Island Rail Road systems, despite a recent ruling from a federal judge striking down the national mask mandate for airplanes, trains, buses, and other forms of mass transit.
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Rent Guidelines Board recommends increases between 2.7% and 9% for rent-stabilized units

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

April 14, 2022

Rent Guidelines Board recommends increases between 2.7% and 9% for rent-stabilized units

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Rent Guidelines Board on Thursday released a report recommending a rent hike for rent-stabilized apartments due to an increase in operating costs for landlords over the last 12 months. According to the agency's 2022 Price Index of Operating Costs report, owners saw costs rise by 4.2 percent. Using three formulas, the board recommended an increase in rent of between 2.7 percent and 4.5 percent for one-year leases and between 4.3 percent and 9 percent for two-year leases. The suggested rent increase comes after the board voted to not raise rents for six months last year and fully freeze rents in 2020.
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More than 30,000 of NYC’s luxury building workers could go on strike

All images courtesy of 32BJ SEIU

April 14, 2022

More than 30,000 of NYC’s luxury building workers could go on strike

By Aaron Ginsburg

Tens of thousands of doormen and other residential building service workers in New York City could go on strike if a deal is not reached on a new collective bargaining agreement by April 20. Members of the union 32BJ SEIU on Wednesday voted to authorize the committee to call for a strike if the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) does not create a new contract for the city's 32,000 building workers with fair wage increases and full employer-paid healthcare. The strike authorization followed a rally of nearly 10,000 32BJ SEIU members down Park Avenue.
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Policy

After Sunset Park shooting, Adams ‘doubles’ number of police officers on subway

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 13, 2022

After Sunset Park shooting, Adams ‘doubles’ number of police officers on subway

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Eric Adams said he will double the number of police officers patrolling the transit system after a mass shooting at a subway station in Sunset Park left over two dozen people injured. Police on Wednesday identified 62-year-old Frank James as the suspect; they believe James detonated a smoke device and began shooting on an N train during rush hour Tuesday morning. The additional deployment comes after Adams deployed 1,000 additional officers earlier this year because of a recent uptick in crime on the subway.
More here

Crown Heights residents sue LPC over apartment complex on site of landmarked ‘crown jewel’

All renderings courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects via the Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 12, 2022

Crown Heights residents sue LPC over apartment complex on site of landmarked ‘crown jewel’

By Aaron Ginsburg

A coalition of Crown Heights residents and preservationists last week filed a lawsuit against the Landmarks Preservation Commission for approving a major residential project on a historic Brooklyn property. Developed by Hope Street Capital and designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, 959 Sterling Place (aka 920 Park Place) consists of a seven-story complex with 158 apartments and community space that will replace a landmarked 19th-century building. On Friday, attorneys representing the coalition of opponents filed a lawsuit against the LPC and Hope Street Capital, claiming the commission violated the law by failing to hold a public hearing.
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Policy

Adams designates Juneteenth as official NYC holiday

Photo by Erick Zajac on Unsplash

April 11, 2022

Adams designates Juneteenth as official NYC holiday

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced Juneteenth will now be a paid holiday for New York City employees for the first time in the city's history. Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, marks the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States and is considered by many to be the longest-running African American holiday.
Details here

Trump Organization can keep running Bronx golf course, judge rules

Photo by Dan DeLuca on Flickr

April 11, 2022

Trump Organization can keep running Bronx golf course, judge rules

By Devin Gannon

A judge on Friday said the Trump Organization can continue to operate its golf course in the Bronx, ruling the city wrongfully ended the company's contract. A few days after the January 6 insurrection, former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to terminate several agreements with Donald Trump's company, including the contract for Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. Last June, the Trump Organization sued New York City, arguing the city's effort was politically motivated and had no legal merit.
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Policy

Booze-to-go is back on the menu in New York

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

April 8, 2022

Booze-to-go is back on the menu in New York

By Michelle Cohen

As part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's state budget negotiations, restaurants will once again be able to add alcoholic drinks to delivery and takeout orders. To keep restaurants afloat at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, to-go cocktail, wine, and beer service was given the green light for 15 months. When public health precautions were scaled back, customers returned to the city's eateries, and alcoholic drink delivery was 86'd. The law, which will take effect when the budget is passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, will allow restaurants to offer to-go booze for the next three years, Gothamist reports.
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Policy

New survey highlights NYC’s rental housing crisis, showing few affordable apartments available

NYC recommends masks indoors again as ‘high’ alert level is reached

How mixed-use development Manhattan West is creating a sustainable food system

NYC subway ridership hits highest level since start of Covid

Rent Guidelines Board set to approve biggest rent hike for NYC’s stabilized apartments in a decade

NYC gives billionaire Bill Ackman green light to build rooftop penthouse on Central Park West

City nixes plan for second Chinatown homeless shelter amid community opposition

NYC’s Covid alert level moves to ‘medium’ risk

Plan to convert vacant hotels into affordable housing backed by Mayor Adams

NYC lawmakers call for mandatory citywide compost program at residential buildings

Here are NYC’s new Open Street locations for the 2022 season

Adams adds record $171M in budget to fund 1,400 shelter beds for homeless New Yorkers

30 Rock’s new ‘skylift’ observation platform and rooftop ride approved by Landmarks

Adams announces nearly $1B investment for NYC Streets Plan

NYC finally launches containerized trash bin pilot

This $1.3M condo keeps the classic East Village spirit alive

NYC doormen union, building owners reach historic deal to avoid strike

NYC restores alternate-side parking to clean streets and bike lanes

MTA keeps mask mandate for NYC subway, despite lift of federal requirement on mass transit

Rent Guidelines Board recommends increases between 2.7% and 9% for rent-stabilized units

More than 30,000 of NYC’s luxury building workers could go on strike

After Sunset Park shooting, Adams ‘doubles’ number of police officers on subway

Crown Heights residents sue LPC over apartment complex on site of landmarked ‘crown jewel’

Adams designates Juneteenth as official NYC holiday

Trump Organization can keep running Bronx golf course, judge rules

Booze-to-go is back on the menu in New York

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