All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater on track to reopen after 20 years

Photo by london road on Flickr

April 7, 2025

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater on track to reopen after 20 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

A long-vacant, landmark movie theater on the Upper West Side finally has new owners following a $3.5 million funding boost from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The nonprofit Upper West Side Cinema Center on Sunday purchased the Metro Theater for $6.9 million, with help from Hochul and an additional $500,000 in grants from the State Senate. The nonprofit plans to restore the historic Art Deco building, located on Broadway near 99th Street, with five new screens, a lobby lounge, an education center, and a public cafe.
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City Living

Towering steel sculptures take ‘root’ in the Garment District

All photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

April 4, 2025

Towering steel sculptures take ‘root’ in the Garment District

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new striking sculptural installation has taken 'root' in Midtown. The Garment District Alliance on Thursday unveiled "New York Roots," a series of seven towering steel sculptures that invite viewers to reflect on how relationships, families, and communities intertwine to support a common purpose—much like roots that strengthen and sustain a tree. Created by conceptual artist Steve Tobin, the installation is now on view along the Broadway plazas in the Garment District, between 39th and 40th Streets and 40th and 41st Streets.
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Events & Things To Do

23 best flea and food markets in NYC to visit this spring

Photo by Caroline Culler on Wikimedia

April 4, 2025

23 best flea and food markets in NYC to visit this spring

By Aaron Ginsburg

It's officially spring in New York City, even if it may not feel like it yet. New Yorkers will shake off their winter blues and get ready for the months of outdoor fun that lie ahead. One of the best ways to get out and enjoy the nice weather is by heading to an outdoor market to browse troves of unique treasures or try a tasty treat. We've rounded up some of our favorite outdoor spring and summer markets, whether you're looking for fresh, locally grown produce at the city's Greenmarkets or one-of-a-kind vintage finds at flea markets in Brooklyn and Queens.
Great shopping, ahead

Car-free Earth Day celebration kicks off NYC’s Open Streets season

Credit: NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

April 4, 2025

Car-free Earth Day celebration kicks off NYC’s Open Streets season

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's Open Streets season kicks off on April 26 with its largest Car-Free Earth Day celebration ever, turning more than 54 streets across the five boroughs into vibrant public spaces. The Department of Transportation (DOT) on Thursday announced that the city's annual Car-Free Earth Day will include a record-breaking 54 streets and plazas, along with expanded programming in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
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New York to issue liquor licenses to outdoor dining restaurants amid delays

Credit: Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

April 3, 2025

New York to issue liquor licenses to outdoor dining restaurants amid delays

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers no longer have to dread a boozeless outdoor dining experience this season. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced that the State Liquor Authority (SLA) will now accept conditional approvals issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to restaurants participating in the city's Dining Out NYC program, allowing them to serve alcohol in their outdoor dining areas while their applications are being reviewed. The processing of liquor license applications has been significantly delayed, with only seven out of roughly 3,000 applicants receiving approval as of Saturday.
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Citi Field casino team throws in 450 units of affordable housing to enhance bid

Project rendering courtesy of Aufgang Architects

April 3, 2025

Citi Field casino team throws in 450 units of affordable housing to enhance bid

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is enhancing his bid to build a casino by pledging 450 affordable housing units. Queens Future LLC, a joint venture between Cohen and Hard Rock International, and Slate Property Group announced on Wednesday plans to develop a 100 percent affordable building on a parking lot at 54-19 100th Street in Corona, Queens. The development will only be built if Cohen is awarded one of three gaming licenses to build "Metropolitan Park," a proposed $8 billion sports and entertainment complex next to Citi Field.
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MTA unveils first new NYC subway map in 50 years

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

April 2, 2025

MTA unveils first new NYC subway map in 50 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

The official New York City subway map has received a major makeover for the first time in 50 years. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday unveiled the redesigned map, which features bolder colors and straighter lines, a simplified display that hearkens back to Massimo Vigenlli's iconic 1972 map. The updated map, which first appeared on digital screens throughout the system last fall, also offers more precise information on transfers and has an easier-to-read legend.
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Transit

Next phase of affordable Far Rockaway development breaks ground

Rendering by Aufgang Architects

April 2, 2025

Next phase of affordable Far Rockaway development breaks ground

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction is set to begin on an affordable residential building within a new development in Far Rockaway. As first reported by Commercial Observer, Tishman Speyer's TS Communities announced it secured financing and will break ground this month on Edgemere Commons A2, a 100 percent affordable building at 337 Beach 52nd Street and the second all-affordable development within the larger Edgemere Commons complex. The building will rise 18 stories and deliver 244 affordable apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms, for households earning between 40 and 80 percent of the area median income.
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Luxury rental in Crown Heights opens lottery for 72 middle-income units, from $1,869/month

Credit: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 2, 2025

Luxury rental in Crown Heights opens lottery for 72 middle-income units, from $1,869/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

In an industrial stretch of Crown Heights, a new luxury rental opened a housing lottery for 72 middle-income apartments. Currently under construction at 953 Dean Street, Prospect House is a nine-story development with 240 apartments and upscale amenities, including a rooftop terrace and private courtyard. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $1,869/month for studios.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

NYC’s outdoor dining season kicks off

Credit: Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

April 1, 2025

NYC’s outdoor dining season kicks off

By Aaron Ginsburg

The sun is finally out, and the tables are, too—outdoor dining is officially back in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the start of Dining Out NYC, a program allowing certain restaurants to offer outdoor seating on streets and sidewalks across the five boroughs from April 1 through November 29. At the program's peak during the pandemic, more than 12,500 restaurants participated. As of Tuesday, just 2,450 outdoor dining setups, including 600 on the street, have been approved by the city, although more are expected to open in the coming weeks.
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Popular Articles

Bryant Park Grill sues to stop Jean-Georges takeover

Bryant Park Grill. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

April 1, 2025

Bryant Park Grill sues to stop Jean-Georges takeover

By Aaron Ginsburg

The owner of Bryant Park Grill is taking legal action to stop the 30-year-old restaurant from being replaced by a new Jean-Georges Vongerichten venture. Michael Weinstein's Ark Restaurants Corp on Monday filed a lawsuit against Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), alleging the bidding process was neither publicly advertised nor transparent and was "unfairly steered" toward the Seaport Entertainment Group, the winning bid. The lawsuit also claims BPC ignored the grill's "right of first lease" and rejected its bid of $1 million more in annual rent than offered by Seaport.
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Food & Dining

Gowanus Canal cleanup advances with excavation for Red Hook tank

Credit: NYC Water on X

March 31, 2025

Gowanus Canal cleanup advances with excavation for Red Hook tank

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is finally making headway in its long-delayed effort to clean up the Gowanus Canal. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced last week the completion of excavation for the Red Hook tank, an eight-million-gallon underground facility designed to capture sewage overflow that would otherwise spill into the canal during rainstorms. Construction on the tank, along with a smaller tank called Owls Head, began in March 2023. Work was expedited in December following complaints from residents about foul odors coming from the project site, as reported by Brooklyn Paper; the excavation was completed six months ahead of schedule.
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Policy

East Village rental opens lottery for 40 mixed-income apartments, from $989/month

Credit: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 31, 2025

East Village rental opens lottery for 40 mixed-income apartments, from $989/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery launched last week for 40 mixed-income apartments at a new mixed-use development in the East Village. Located at 280 East Houston Street, the 12-story building, called "The Houston," offers modern residences, exclusive amenities, and a prime location at the intersection of the East Village and the Lower East Side. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $989/month studios to $4,543/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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

(L) Credit: Silverstein Properties, (R) Credit: Phil Doby on Flickr

March 28, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

All photos courtesy of Paramount Realty USA

March 28, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Real Estate Trends

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

Images courtesy of DORIS

March 27, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Photo by William Alatriste/NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

March 27, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Policy

Whitney Museum to celebrate 10 years in the Meatpacking District

Whitney Museum of American Art. Photograph by Matthew Carasella

March 27, 2025

Whitney Museum to celebrate 10 years in the Meatpacking District

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Events & Things To Do

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

Credit: MTA

March 26, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Rising salt levels threaten NYC’s water supply

Credit: rdlimages on Flickr

March 26, 2025

Rising salt levels threaten NYC’s water supply

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Policy

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

All images courtesy of Naftali Group

March 25, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

March 25, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Rendering of the indoor/outdoor garden planned for residents at Baisley Pond Park Residences. Courtesy of OSD

March 24, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Affordable Housing

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

Photo by Pat at Juno on Flickr

March 24, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Credit: Anthony G. Reyes on Flickr

March 24, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Events & Things To Do

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