All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Half of NYC households can’t afford basic needs, new report finds

Photo via Wikimedia

April 25, 2023

Half of NYC households can’t afford basic needs, new report finds

By Aaron Ginsburg

Half of all New York City households are unable to afford their basic needs, according to a new report. Released this week by the Fund for the City of New York, the report found that 1,298,212 working households, or 2,991,973 people, do not earn enough to afford essential expenses like rent, health care, food, and transportation. The number of struggling households is up to 50 percent from 36 percent in 2021, a 38 percent increase over a two-year period, highlighting the pandemic's immense economic impact on New Yorkers.
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300 NYC blocks to go car-free under this year’s ‘Open Streets’ program

The 31st Avenue Open Street in Astoria is 100% run by volunteer residents. Photo courtesy of the 31st Avenue Open Street Collective

April 25, 2023

300 NYC blocks to go car-free under this year’s ‘Open Streets’ program

By Aaron Ginsburg

Nearly 300 blocks across New York City will be closed to cars as part of the city's 2023 Open Streets program, the Department of Transportation announced this Earth Day. This year's program will have roughly 160 open streets, including more than 25 new locations. The program also features new redesigns of existing locations that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists and will "evolve beyond the need for metal barriers." While the final list of open streets is still being finalized, many are expected to launch by July 1.
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$700M climate research campus designed by SOM headed to Governors Island

Aerial view of The Exchange, showing the iconic forms designed to evoke the dramatic landscapes and hills of Governors Island. © SOM | Miysis

April 24, 2023

$700M climate research campus designed by SOM headed to Governors Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has revealed its vision for a first-in-the-nation climate research hub on Governors Island. Led by Stony Brook University, the New York Climate Exchange will be a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate research and solutions and serve as a center for climate education and green job training. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the 400,000-square-foot campus includes classrooms, laboratories, new open space, student and faculty housing, university hotel rooms, and more. Construction on the $700 million project is expected to begin in 2025, with the first phase slated for completion in 2028.
See the designs

NYC subway tops 4 million daily riders for the first time since March 2020

Photo by(vincent desjardins) on Flickr

April 24, 2023

NYC subway tops 4 million daily riders for the first time since March 2020

By Aaron Ginsburg

For the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the New York City subway system served more than four million riders in a single day. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced the NYC subway system recorded 4,002,961 paid riders on April 20, the highest tally reached since March 12, 2020. OMNY, the transit system's contactless fare system, also set a single-day subway record on Thursday with 1,699,914 taps, representing 42.5 percent of the day's subway rides.
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NYC board weighs biggest rent hike for stabilized apartments in nearly two decades

Image courtesy of Maxim Pierre on Flickr

April 21, 2023

NYC board weighs biggest rent hike for stabilized apartments in nearly two decades

By Aaron Ginsburg

The panel that determines the percentage landlords are allowed to raise the rent for the roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments in New York City this week discussed a proposal for the most significant hike in nearly two decades. During a meeting on Thursday, the Rent Guidelines Board weighed a proposed 8.25 percent increase for one-year leases and a 15.75 percent increase for two-year leases, as Patch reported. While the board likely won't approve the nearly 16 percent increase, rent hikes are still expected in response to a drop in operating income for landlords.
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Policy

Eataly Flatiron unveils rooftop restaurant inspired by the Italian countryside

All photos courtesy of Eataly

April 21, 2023

Eataly Flatiron unveils rooftop restaurant inspired by the Italian countryside

By Aaron Ginsburg

Eataly Flatiron's seasonal rooftop restaurant has undergone a floral transformation for spring. Located on the 14th-floor rooftop of the esteemed Italian food and beverage marketplace, Serra by Birreria opened for the season on Thursday. The restaurant's lush, intricate design was created and installed by Less Than 3 Studio and is inspired by Southern Italy's countryside. Over the course of these warmer months, Serra will host a jam-packed schedule of programming and events, including live DJ sets, and the restaurant's first-ever zodiac night.
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Food & Dining

NYC will repair 400 vacant rent-stabilized apartments to house homeless New Yorkers

Photo by Anthony Fomin on Unsplash

April 20, 2023

NYC will repair 400 vacant rent-stabilized apartments to house homeless New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City will invest up to $10 million to provide homeless New Yorkers with newly repaired, rent-stabilized homes. As part of the new "Unlocking Doors" program, the city will invest up to $25,000 for urgent renovations at 400 rent-stabilized homes that have fallen into disrepair and are unavailable for rent. The city will then match households with City Fighting Homeless and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers with the new apartments.
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80+ free outdoor performances happening in Times Square this summer

Images courtesy of the Times Square Alliance

April 20, 2023

80+ free outdoor performances happening in Times Square this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's annual celebration of its diverse creative community returns to Times Square this May. Hosted by the Times Square Alliance, TSQ Live will offer over 80 free, open-air performances at plazas throughout the neighborhood, allowing performers to show their craft on one of the world's most public stages. Running through September, TSQ Live features a variety of events, including live DJ sets, concerts, and dance performances from NYC institutions like Carnegie Hall, Pioneer Works, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
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Events & Things To Do

Live in Kendall Roy’s luxurious UES penthouse as seen on ‘Succession,’ now for $29M

All photos courtesy of Sean Hemmerle

April 19, 2023

Live in Kendall Roy’s luxurious UES penthouse as seen on ‘Succession,’ now for $29M

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here is a chance to own Kendall Roy's luxurious penthouse featured on the latest episode of HBO's "Succession" for a discounted price of $29,000,000. Located at 180 East 88th Street, the stunning triplex five-bedroom residence is the tallest home north of 72nd Street on the Upper East Side. The penthouse measures 5,508 square feet with 3,501 square feet of exterior terrace space across its three floors. The astounding penthouse first hit the market in September 2022 for $33,000,000 as 6sqft previously reported.
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Distinctive Homes

Ancient Egypt and South Central L.A. meet in monumental installation on the Met’s roof

Lauren Halsey (American, b.1987) Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Lauren Halsey, “the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture(I),”2022 ©Lauren Halsey. Courtesy of the artist; David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles/New York. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo by Hyla Skopitz

April 19, 2023

Ancient Egypt and South Central L.A. meet in monumental installation on the Met’s roof

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's latest rooftop commission brings to life the history of South Central Los Angeles with the use of ancient Egyptian architecture. Created by artist and activist Lauren Halsey, "the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I)" consists of a cube-like structure that rises 22 feet tall and has more than 750 glass-fiber-reinforced concrete tiles, surrounded by four columns and four sphinxes. Located on the museum's Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, the towering structure provides a new perspective of Central Park and the city skyline through an open ceiling and large entryways.
Learn more here

Events & Things To Do

Popular Articles

Luxury rental in Long Island City launches lottery for 48 middle-income units, from $2,896/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 19, 2023

Luxury rental in Long Island City launches lottery for 48 middle-income units, from $2,896/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A luxury rental in Long Island City is now accepting applications for 48 below-market-rate units. Located at 27-10 44th Drive in the Court Square section of the neighborhood, 8 Court Square rises 20 stories, contains 157 apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail, and sits across the street from four subway lines. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $99,292 annually for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which include $2,896/month studios, $3,094/month one-bedrooms, and $3,689/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

IKEA to release reimagined vintage-inspired collection for its 80th anniversary

Images courtesy of IKEA

April 18, 2023

IKEA to release reimagined vintage-inspired collection for its 80th anniversary

By Aaron Ginsburg

In celebration of its 80th anniversary, IKEA is launching a new collection that honors its past. The beloved Swedish furniture retailer is releasing the "Nytillverkad" collection, a "loud, colorful, and fun" assortment of vintage-inspired furniture, bedding, and accessories that offers a new take on classic IKEA pieces. Starting this July, the company will launch a series of selected products from its design archive that are reimagined for today, with fresh, vibrant colors and materials.
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Queens’ iconic New York State Pavilion will be illuminated every night

Photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

April 18, 2023

Queens’ iconic New York State Pavilion will be illuminated every night

By Aaron Ginsburg

Queens' famous New York State Pavilion will now illuminate the sky every night. The city's Parks Department this week announced the completion of the first phase of the restoration of Flushing Meadow-Corona Park's iconic NYS Pavilion. As part of the $24 million restoration, the city installed new dynamic architectural lighting on the Philip Johnson-designed Tent of Tomorrow and Towers, which will be lit every night, with varying schedules for holidays and special events.
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Architecture And Design

Lincoln Center’s summer arts festival to feature free events and garden-like outdoor spaces

Hearst Plaza design by Clint Ramos. Rendering by Evan Alexander

April 17, 2023

Lincoln Center’s summer arts festival to feature free events and garden-like outdoor spaces

By Aaron Ginsburg

A three-month-long arts festival will return to Lincoln Center this summer, with its iconic campus transformed into a botanical-inspired oasis. After a successful debut season last year, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts announced on Monday the second annual "Summer for the City" festival, which will feature hundreds of free events and thousands of artists across 16 acres of outdoor space from June to August. And for the first time in its history, Lincoln Center's outdoor spaces will be reimagined by a single designer: Creative director and designer Clint Ramos.
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Events & Things To Do

Knicks, Nets, Devils, Islanders, and Rangers all in playoffs for the first time since 1994

Image via WikiCommons

April 17, 2023

Knicks, Nets, Devils, Islanders, and Rangers all in playoffs for the first time since 1994

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York-area sports fans rejoice: All five local hockey and basketball teams made the playoffs this year for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Knicks, Nets, Devils, Rangers, and Islanders are kicking off their postseasons, the first time all teams have been in the playoffs together since 1994 when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup and the Knicks lost to the Houston Rockets in a seven-game series in the NBA Finals.
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A majority of NYC’s rent-stabilized tenants spent over a third of income on housing last year

Image courtesy of edwardhblake on Flickr

April 14, 2023

A majority of NYC’s rent-stabilized tenants spent over a third of income on housing last year

By Aaron Ginsburg

Most of New York City's one million rent-stabilized tenants paid roughly a third or more of their income on rent in 2022, a new report found. According to the city's Rent Guideline Board's annual "Income and Affordability Study" released on Thursday, more than half of tenants in stabilized apartments spent at least 32.2 percent of their income on rent, as Gothamist first reported. Tenants who spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent are considered rent burdened, according to federal guidelines.
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Policy

Brooklyn’s borough-wide ‘bookstore crawl’ is back

Photo of Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo by Wgreaves on Flickr

April 14, 2023

Brooklyn’s borough-wide ‘bookstore crawl’ is back

By Aaron Ginsburg

The beloved Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl is returning to the borough for its largest outing yet. The event, which kicks off on April 22 and runs through Independent Bookstore Day on April 29, invites bookworms to visit the 25 book shops participating in this year's crawl for a chance to win prizes while supporting local businesses.
Bookworms, this way

Events & Things To Do

Art installation offers rare look inside Bushwick’s historic William Ulmer Brewery

Image courtesy of Aaron Asis

April 13, 2023

Art installation offers rare look inside Bushwick’s historic William Ulmer Brewery

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new immersive art installation in Brooklyn lets visitors inside New York City's first landmarked brewery building before it undergoes a major restoration. Located in the abandoned William Ulmer Brewery in Bushwick, the experience by artist Aaron Asis, dubbed Ulmer: Conveyance, invites guests to tour the "raw and dormant state" of the brewery through several installations and performances both on the upper levels and the rarely accessed basement levels. The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place on April 15, 16, and 22 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Events & Things To Do

New York City hires its first-ever ‘rat czar’

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 13, 2023

New York City hires its first-ever ‘rat czar’

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has finally found the rat vanquisher it's been looking for. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday appointed Kathleen Corradi as the city's first-ever director of rodent mitigation, also referred to as the "rat czar." Corradi, who will earn $155,000, will work with city government agencies, community organizations, and private sector companies to effectively reduce the rat population across the five boroughs.
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Apply for 79 affordable apartments in the South Bronx, from $410/month

Image courtesy of Aufgang Architects

April 13, 2023

Apply for 79 affordable apartments in the South Bronx, from $410/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 79 affordable units at a new residential development in the South Bronx. Located at 1007 Union Avenue in Morrisania, Victory Commons offers residents supportive services, amenities, and a church sanctuary housed within the preexisting Victory Baptist Church. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $17,452 annually for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven, can apply for the units, which range from $410/month studios to $2,252/month three bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

New NYC subway announcements recorded by children with autism

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

April 12, 2023

New NYC subway announcements recorded by children with autism

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City subway commuters will be guided by announcements recorded by young New Yorkers in recognition of World Autism Awareness Month. To bring attention to the millions of people living with autism worldwide, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and INCLUDEnyc invited children with autism to record subway announcements that both encourage straphangers to follow transit rules and remind them of Autism Awareness Month. The recordings are playing in select subway stations through Sunday, April 30.
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8 best spots to roller skate in New York City

April 11, 2023

8 best spots to roller skate in New York City

By Aaron Ginsburg

Once the winter months melt away and spring rolls around, New Yorkers swap ice skates for roller skates. New York City is home to lots of fun spots to roller skate, from funky roller discos to chill, laid-back rinks perfect for practice laps. Ahead, find some of the city's best roller skating rinks, from the retro-themed Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace at Rockefeller Center to scenic skating in Prospect Park.
Let's skate

Events & Things To Do

‘Miss Subways’ contest returns to NYC for first time since 2019

2018 Miss Subways. Photo courtesy of Phil Buehler

April 11, 2023

‘Miss Subways’ contest returns to NYC for first time since 2019

By Aaron Ginsburg

After years of hiatus due to the pandemic, the Miss Subways contest is returning to New York City. Hosted by the City Reliquary Museum, the event is an adaptation of the historic beauty contest hosted by the city from 1941 to 1976, and a rejection of traditional beauty standards associated with the original competition. Taking place in Coney Island this year, the event features underground talent who will present a performance portraying their relationship with the NYC subway system. The pageant will take place at Coney Island USA's Sideshows by the Seashore Theater on Friday, April 28.
Who will be crowned Miss Subways 2023?

Events & Things To Do

Leasing kicks off at the Brooklyn Tower, luxury rentals priced from $3,965/month

Photo courtesy of Evan Joseph

April 10, 2023

Leasing kicks off at the Brooklyn Tower, luxury rentals priced from $3,965/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Leasing has launched for market-rate rental units in Brooklyn's tallest tower. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the 93-story Brooklyn Tower offers residences designed by award-winning Gachot Studios and over 120,000 square feet of luxury amenities, including three outdoor pools surrounding the dome of the historic Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn. Rentals start at $3,965/month for studios, $5,075/month for one-bedrooms, and $7,100/month for two-bedrooms.
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NYC will create 20 ‘micro’ delivery hubs this summer to reduce truck traffic

Photo by carlfbagge on Flickr

April 10, 2023

NYC will create 20 ‘micro’ delivery hubs this summer to reduce truck traffic

By Aaron Ginsburg

Starting this summer, New York City will create new hubs to make package delivery more sustainable and efficient, while also reducing truck congestion. As part of a pilot program announced by the Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the new "microhubs" include dedicated curbside or off-street locations for trucks to unload packages onto smaller, energy-efficient vehicles or human-powered transportation like bikes and hand carts that will bring deliveries to their destination.
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