All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

March 28, 2025

David Childs, architect behind One World Trade Center, dies at 83

Visionary architect David Childs, who helped redefine the New York City skyline with the design of One World Trade Center, passed away at 83 on Thursday. Childs, the only partner to serve two terms as chairman of the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), succumbed to Lewy body dementia, his wife Annie told the New York Times. Best known for his work on the Freedom Tower, Childs also contributed to several other transformative projects in Manhattan, including 35 Hudson Yards, the Time Warner Center, and 7 World Trade Center.
Learn more
March 28, 2025

Vacant and overrun by feral cats, Trump’s childhood home in Queens sells at huge discount

President Donald Trump's childhood home in Jamaica Estates has traded hands for significantly less than its previous sales price after falling into disrepair and becoming overrun by feral cats. As first reported by the New York Post, the Tudor-style residence at 85-15 Wareham Place sold for $835,000 on March 3—less than half of its 2017 sale price of $2.14 million, according to the deed.
Discover more
March 27, 2025

Interactive map reveals the famous New Yorkers behind 2,500 co-named streets

Ever wonder about the history behind some of New York City's co-named streets? The city's Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) on Tuesday announced upgrades to its interactive map, which provides information about the 2,500 streets, parks, and other locations across the five boroughs named for notable people. The upgrades include enhanced search features and an easier-to-remember website address.
Find out more
March 27, 2025

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

Scaffolding may soon have less of a ubiquitous presence in New York City. The City Council on Wednesday passed a series of bills reforming sidewalk shed rules to shorten how long the barriers can remain up and allow for new, more appealing designs. The city currently has over 8,400 sidewalk sheds that take up roughly 400 miles of sidewalk. On average, the structures remain in place for over 500 days; over 300 sheds have stood for over five years.
READ MORE
March 27, 2025

Whitney Museum to celebrate 10 years in the Meatpacking District

The Whitney Museum of American Art is celebrating 10 years in the Meatpacking District with 10 weeks of special public programs, starting in May. Running through mid-July, "Decade Downtown" will feature engaging activities like dance parties, live music, DJ nights, tours, art-making activities, and more. Visitors can also take advantage of the museum's Free Friday Nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekly and Free Second Sundays, which offers free admission on the second Sunday of each month.
Find out more
March 26, 2025

Q70 bus service to LaGuardia Airport will get $160M upgrade

New York has revealed a $160 million plan to fund the long-awaited expansion of bus service to and from LaGuardia Airport. Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday unveiled the proposed upgrades, which includes creating a bus-only lane, installing traffic signals that prioritize the Q70 bus, increasing service during peak hours, adding a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone at LGA, and improving lighting and signage, and more. Recommended by an expert panel in 2023, the proposal is an alternative to the controversial AirTrain, a 1.5-mile elevated rail line to the airport scrapped by the governor.
READ MORE
March 26, 2025

Rising salt levels threaten NYC’s water supply

New York City's cherished tap water may taste saltier in the future. A study released by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Friday found that the salinity levels in the Croton reservoir system, which provides 10 percent of the city's water supply, have tripled over the past 30 years because of road salt runoff. If this trend continues unchecked, salinity levels are projected to exceed the state's maximum allowable limits by 2108, potentially forcing the city to abandon the reservoir.
Learn moire
March 25, 2025

Leasing launches at Williamsburg Wharf, from $3,500/month

Brooklyn's latest waterfront development officially launched leasing for its luxury rentals. Designed by Brandon Haw Architecture, Williamsburg Wharf contains five 22-story residential buildings and 20,000 square feet of amenities along the East River in South Williamsburg. Two Williamsburg Wharf and Three Williamsburg Wharf include 334 apartments across the two towers, with pricing starting from $3,500/month for a studio.
Learn more
March 25, 2025

NYC’s congestion pricing raised $52M in February amid Trump pushback

New York City's congestion pricing program brought in nearly $52 million in revenue last month, keeping it on track to reach its $500 million goal by the end of the year. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Monday released new data on the tolling system showing congestion pricing collected $51.9 million in revenue between February 1 and 28, about $3 million more than January. While the figures are promising, the program’s future remains uncertain due to ongoing tensions between New York State and the Trump administration, which ordered Gov. Kathy Hochul to shut it down.
Find out more
March 24, 2025

Former JFK Airport hotel launches lottery for 125 affordable apartments, from $784/month

A former hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport that has been converted into a housing development launched a lottery last week for 125 affordable apartments. Located at the former JFK Hilton in South Jamaica, the Baisley Pond Park Residences includes over 300 affordable and supportive housing units, a 2,400-square-foot healing garden, and on-site social services. New Yorkers earning 50 and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $784/month for studios to $1,493/month for two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
March 24, 2025

Forest Hills Stadium’s summer concerts at risk amid noise dispute

This season’s concerts at Forest Hills Stadium are at risk of cancellation as tensions between local residents and venue officials escalate over ongoing noise complaints. According to an NYPD Legal Bureau letter, the stadium’s new sound amplification permits were denied last week after the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (FHGC) blocked the city from accessing the private roads surrounding the venue, as first reported by the New York Post. Unless FHGC and the West Side Tennis Club, which owns the historic stadium, reach an agreement on noise levels before the first scheduled concert on May 31, the shows will not go on.
Learn more
March 24, 2025

Coney Island’s Luna Park to open for 2025 season this weekend

Luna Park, Coney Island's iconic beachfront amusement park, will open for the 2025 season this weekend. The historic park will reopen on Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. with a three-day celebration, including its annual opening ceremonies featuring the first ride and egg cream christening of the world-famous Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster. In celebration of its 98th birthday, the first 98 visitors will enjoy a free ride on the Cyclone and a complimentary egg cream.
Find out more
March 21, 2025

Trump administration delays congestion pricing deadline by a month

The Trump administration said it would give New York a 30-day extension on its deadline to end congestion pricing. A day before the original March 21 deadline, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the extension in a post on X, calling Gov. Kathy Hochul's refusal to end the tolling program "unacceptable." The governor and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have repeatedly defended the program and pledged to keep it running until a federal judge makes a ruling; the agency filed a lawsuit to protect the program last month.
Learn more
March 21, 2025

Proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex next to U.N. reveals waterfront public park

Newly released renderings offer a closer look at a public waterfront park planned alongside a proposed casino complex near the United Nations. Unveiled on Thursday, the new video and imagery showcase the nearly 5-acre public park planned as part of Soloviev Group's proposed Freedom Plaza casino project. Designed by OJB Landscape Architects, the green space would feature an 18,000-square-foot central lawn, 1.2 miles of accessible pathways, a children's play area, an amphitheater, scenic overlooks, and more.
learn more
March 21, 2025

Long-abandoned Clinton Hill site to become affordable housing

A long-abandoned building in Clinton Hill may finally be redeveloped. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday issued a request for proposals for 1024 Fulton Street, a 12,800-square-foot state-owned site between Grand and Classon Avenues. The governor wants a developer to demolish the derelict building, which has been vacant for nearly 30 years, and build a new mixed-use project with 100 percent affordable homes. Officials have made several attempts to redevelop the eyesore over the years without success.
Learn more
March 20, 2025

NYC’s plan to rezone Jamaica calls for 12,000 new homes

New York City is moving forward with a new rezoning initiative that could bring more than 12,000 new homes to downtown Jamaica, Queens. On Thursday, the Department of City Planning (DCP) began the approval process for the plan, which looks to rezone about 300 blocks in the neighborhood to allow for thousands of new homes, including 4,000 units that would be income-restricted. If approved, the rezoning would create the city's largest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area, add two million square feet of commercial space, and generate more than 7,000 new jobs, according to the Queens Eagle.
find out more
March 20, 2025

MTA to stop selling MetroCards by end of the year

After more than three decades of service, the MetroCard is nearing its final ride. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the final day for MetroCard sales will be December 31, another step toward the full transition to the OMNY tap-and-go payment system. Retail partners, including bodegas and drugstores, will stop selling MetroCards this fall. Riders will still be able to pay with their MetroCards through 2026, with the MTA set to announce that end date at a later time.
Learn more
March 19, 2025

Atlantic Avenue rezoning approved by City Planning Commission

A plan to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and open space along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn is one step closer to becoming reality. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday voted to approve the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a rezoning that could bring 4,600 new homes, 1,440 of which would be permanently affordable, 2,800 permanent jobs, and various public realm enhancements to a 21-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue. The plan now moves to the City Council for a final vote.
Learn more
March 19, 2025

Trump administration threatens to withhold MTA funds over transit safety

President Donald Trump's administration threatened to withhold federal funding for the New York City transit system unless the Metropolitan Transportation Authority submits a plan addressing transit safety. In a letter sent to the MTA on Tuesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Chair & CEO Janno Lieber to provide a detailed plan to reduce crime, combat violence against transit workers, minimize injuries and fatalities from suicide events and subway surfing, and address fare evasion. In response, transit officials pointed to publicly available data that shows major crimes trending down this year.
Learn more
March 19, 2025

Asian food hall to open in Long Island City this spring

A new food hall showcasing the best of Asian cuisine is set to open in Long Island City this May. Dubbed the LIC Food Hall, the culinary experience will debut inside the Star Tower condo building at 27-17 42nd Road, as first reported by LIC Post. Featuring 10 established and emerging vendors, the hall will offer a mix of dine-in and takeout options, serving up Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, and Japanese specialties.
Find out more
March 18, 2025

41 middle-income apartments available at huge development on Astoria waterfront, from $3,261/month

Applications are now being accepted for 41 middle-income apartments in two new residential towers on the Astoria waterfront. Located at 20 and 30 Halletts Point, the buildings are part of the second phase of the massive Halletts Point development, which aims to deliver over 2,000 new homes. The towers offer tenants brand-new, modern residences with stunning views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. New Yorkers earning 120 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $3,261/month studios to $4,194/month two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
March 18, 2025

MTA to host open houses for Interborough Express

New Yorkers, here's your chance to learn more and ask questions about the Interborough Express (IBX) train line, a proposed project to connect Brooklyn and Queens by public transit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Friday that it will host open houses to share information and answer questions about the IBX project. The first open house takes place at the Queens Public Library in Ridgewood on March 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
find out more
March 18, 2025

350 Park Avenue supertall office tower officially enters public review

A proposed 1,600-foot-tall office tower set to reshape the New York City skyline officially entered public review this week. The Department of City Planning on Monday certified an application for 350 Park Avenue, a proposed 62-story building in Midtown East led by Vornado Realty Trust, Citadel, and Rudin Management, kicking off the seven-month uniform land use review procedure (ULURP). Designed by Foster + Partners, the project—the first new office building presented to the City Planning Commission in five years—calls for 1.8 million square feet of office space and a new public concourse, with Ken Griffin's Citadel and Citadel Securities as anchor tenants.
Discover more
March 17, 2025

36 bars to watch March Madness games in NYC

With the abundance of sports bars and pubs scattered across New York City, it can be hard to sort through to find the best ones to watch your favorite team. With the NCAA March Madness tournament approaching, 6sqft put together a list of some of our favorite sports bars in the city to watch the games, prepare a bracket, and enjoy some good food and drinks.
Full list here
March 17, 2025

Gracie Abrams buys Greenwich Village penthouse for $5.5M

Pop star Gracie Abrams is the latest celebrity to call the star-studded 1 Fifth Avenue co-op home. The singer-songwriter paid $5,500,000 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse at the Greenwich Village building, across from Washington Square Park. Abrams joins high-profile residents of the Art Deco tower, including The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, actress Jessica Lange, and filmmaker Tim Burton, alongside his ex-wife, actress Helena Bonham Carter.
FIND OUT MORE