All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

First public e-bike charging station opens in the East Village

All photos courtesy of NYC DOT

March 4, 2024

First public e-bike charging station opens in the East Village

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's first public, outdoor e-bike battery charging station opened last week as part of a six-month pilot program to test safer technologies for delivery workers and provide an alternative to charging bikes inside. The first of five to open in the coming weeks, the new station is located at Cooper Square in the East Village. The infrastructure includes a battery-swapping cabinet to swap out dead batteries for fully charged ones and a secure charging rack where workers can lock up their bikes and charge them while parked. The city said 100 delivery workers will initially participate in the pilot program and provide feedback on the charging hubs.
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How to celebrate Women’s History Month in NYC

Suffragists marching, probably in New York City in. New York, 1915. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress

March 1, 2024

How to celebrate Women’s History Month in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Every March, Americans celebrate Women's History Month, a chance to highlight the invaluable contributions of women who helped shape the history of the nation. In New York City, where the month-long holiday began in 1909, there is a large selection of engaging, informative, and entertaining ways to show your admiration for influential women. Ahead, here are some ways to celebrate Women's History Month in NYC, from learning about women who changed the history of the five boroughs with the Urban Park Rangers to listening to hilarious comics at the Knockout Women's Comedy Festival.
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Hochul wants to make it easier to shut down New York’s illegal smoke shops

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

February 29, 2024

Hochul wants to make it easier to shut down New York’s illegal smoke shops

By Aaron Ginsburg

In response to the thousands of illegal smoke shops operating in the state, with an estimated 8,000 in New York City alone, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to make it easier to close illicit cannabis stores. On Wednesday, the governor proposed streamlining the state's Office of Cannabis Management's (OCM) ability to obtain court orders to padlock stores and permit the orders to be executed by local authorities. According to Hochul, the unregulated stores not only undermine the legal marijuana market but also pose health risks to customers.
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Transit

Rubin Museum’s final exhibition to open in March

Prithvi Shrestha; Attachment; 2018; acrylic on canvas; courtesy of the artist.

February 29, 2024

Rubin Museum’s final exhibition to open in March

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's Rubin Museum has announced its final exhibition before it closes its doors this fall. The museum-wide exhibition, called "Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now," juxtaposes the works of 32 contemporary artists from the Himalayas, Asia, and diaspora against existing items in the museum's collection, offering viewers new ways to interpret traditional Himalayan art. The exhibition will be on view from March 15 through October 6.
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Events & Things To Do

Murphy proposes new tax on wealthy corporations to fund NJ Transit

Photo by Adam E. Moreira via WikiCommons

February 28, 2024

Murphy proposes new tax on wealthy corporations to fund NJ Transit

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Phil Murphy has a plan to raise taxes on New Jersey's wealthiest corporations to help NJ Transit meet its roughly $900 million budget deficit. During his annual budget address on Tuesday, the governor unveiled the "Corporate Transit Fee," a new tax on Garden State corporations with net taxable incomes of more than $10 million per year. The proposal raises the corporate tax rate from 9 percent to 11.5 percent for qualifying businesses to create a dedicated funding source for the cash-strapped NJ Transit.
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Harlem comfort food spot Melba’s to open in Grand Central

Streetview of 300 West 114th Street © 2024 Google

February 28, 2024

Harlem comfort food spot Melba’s to open in Grand Central

By Aaron Ginsburg

Melba's, a beloved Harlem eatery that has been serving comfort food to New Yorkers for nearly two decades, is coming to Grand Central Terminal. The new outpost, expected to open in the transit hub's dining concourse in June, will feature some of the restaurant's most popular items, like chicken and waffles, fried catfish, and collards, according to Eater NY.
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Food & Dining

MTA reveals congestion pricing exemptions for people with disabilities

Image courtesy of Strolicfurlan on Flickr

February 27, 2024

MTA reveals congestion pricing exemptions for people with disabilities

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday announced two plans to provide people with disabilities exemptions from the new congestion pricing toll, which could take effect as early as June. The Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) allows New Yorkers with disabilities to register one vehicle to be exempt from the Central Business District (CBD) tolling program. The second program, the Organizational Disability Exemption Plan (ODEP), permits organizations transporting people with disabilities, such as Access-A-Ride, to apply for the exemption.
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Leasing launches for apartments at Brooklyn’s landmarked Empire State Dairy complex

Renderings courtesy of The Moinian Group and Bushburg

February 27, 2024

Leasing launches for apartments at Brooklyn’s landmarked Empire State Dairy complex

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here's a chance to live in a modern apartment building within a historic and unique Brooklyn property. Leasing launched this week for 320 apartments at The Highland at 2480 Atlantic Avenue, the site of the landmarked Empire State Dairy Company complex in East New York. Developed by The Moinian Group and Bushburg and designed by Dattner Architects, the mixed-use development incorporates the early 1900s buildings with a brand new 14-story residential tower offering a mix of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedroom rentals.
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New York lawmakers renew push for bird-safe building bills following death of Flaco

Photo by Jörg Schubert on Flickr

February 26, 2024

New York lawmakers renew push for bird-safe building bills following death of Flaco

By Aaron Ginsburg

Following the death of Flaco, a beloved Eurasian eagle owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo and delighted New Yorkers over the last year, the city's bird strike problem has once again come under the spotlight. Flaco died on Friday after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side, according to the zoo. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Anna Kelles on Monday renewed a push for their legislation addressing bird safety, including bills to require state buildings to implement bird-friendly designs and mandate non-essential outdoor lighting be turned off overnight.
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Policy

In win for Stuy Town tenants, Blackstone drops challenge to rent stabilization

Image courtesy of Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

February 26, 2024

In win for Stuy Town tenants, Blackstone drops challenge to rent stabilization

By Aaron Ginsburg

Every apartment in Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village is now permanently rent-stabilized. Owner Blackstone Group on Saturday withdrew its appeal of a court ruling last year that found deregulating apartments within Manhattan's largest apartment complex was unlawful. Blackstone, which purchased the 11,200-unit complex in 2015 with plans to charge market-rate rents for half of the apartments, cited its "unwavering commitment" to Stuy Town tenants as the reason for its withdrawal, according to Gothamist.
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Affordable Housing

Popular Articles

Brooklyn’s historic Paramount Theatre to reopen in March

All renderings courtesy of Brooklyn Paramount

February 23, 2024

Brooklyn’s historic Paramount Theatre to reopen in March

By Aaron Ginsburg

Fort Greene’s 100-year-old Brooklyn Paramount Theatre will reopen once again as a music venue next month following a major restoration. The historic theater's grand opening season officially kicks off on March 27, with tickets now on sale for more than 45 shows featuring performers like Busta Rhymes, PinkPantheress, Norah Jones, and Mariah The Scientist, as Live Nation announced. The renovation preserved the opulent Baroque features throughout the space, including the latticework ceiling and original hand-crafted plaster statues. Modern upgrades include a new stage, a state-of-the-art backstage facility, seven bars, and an exclusive VIP lounge.
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Westfield sued over plans to ditch Fulton Center

Image courtesy of Lerone Pieters on Unsplash

February 22, 2024

Westfield sued over plans to ditch Fulton Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

A plan from the Westfield Corporation to exit its 20-year retail lease at Fulton Center early is being met with a lawsuit from the New York City Transit Authority. As first reported by Bloomberg, the NYCTA sued Westfield after the mall operator announced it wanted to terminate its lease 10 years in. The suit, which aims to keep Westfield as the mall's operator, claims the transit agency would suffer major financial losses that could impact commuters if Westfield pulled out of the lease.
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5,000 NYCHA apartments are sitting vacant, new report finds

Drew Hamilton Houses in Harlem. Photo by Jim.henderson on Wikimedia

February 22, 2024

5,000 NYCHA apartments are sitting vacant, new report finds

By Aaron Ginsburg

Despite the city's current housing and homelessness crisis, about 5,000 public housing apartments are sitting vacant. According to a report published Wednesday by Bart Schwartz, the federal monitor overseeing the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), a special team assembled by the agency to expedite turning over vacant apartments has actually slowed down the process, leaving apartments in need of repairs empty for months, as The City reported. The number of empty NYCHA apartments has increased from just about 490 in 2021 to nearly 5,000 as of last month, even though roughly 240,000 New Yorkers are on the waitlist for an apartment.
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Mayor Adams sued over failure to enact housing voucher laws

Photo by Bex Walton on Flickr

February 21, 2024

Mayor Adams sued over failure to enact housing voucher laws

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York City Council on Wednesday filed a motion to join a class-action lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams for failing to comply with new laws regarding housing vouchers that should have taken effect on January 9. The Legal Aid Society filed the suit last week on behalf of four plaintiffs who are unable to access housing vouchers they are entitled to under laws passed by the City Council last year, according to Gothamist.
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MTA installing LED lights in every NYC subway station

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

February 21, 2024

MTA installing LED lights in every NYC subway station

By Aaron Ginsburg

Bright LED lights will be installed in every New York City subway station in a new effort to make the system safer for commuters, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced this week. The project includes replacing all 150,000 fluorescent lights across the city's subway system with LED lighting by the middle of 2026. Officials say the lights will enhance safety on the subway by brightening every platform and mezzanine and improving the visibility of the 15,000 security cameras found throughout the transit system.
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Lottery opens for 83 mixed-income luxury apartments near Times Square, from $934/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 21, 2024

Lottery opens for 83 mixed-income luxury apartments near Times Square, from $934/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 83 mixed-income apartments at a new rental in Midtown West. Located at 312 West 43rd Street on the border of Times Square and Hell's Kitchen, the 33-story building offers 330 luxury apartments with high-end finishes, state-of-the-art amenities, and a central location. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 120 percent of the area median income, or between $32,023 for a single person and $183,000 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, which range from $934/month studios to $3,813/month two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Annie Leibovitz sells UWS home for $2M over asking price

Photos courtesy of Evan Joseph for The Corcoran Group

February 20, 2024

Annie Leibovitz sells UWS home for $2M over asking price

By Aaron Ginsburg

Annie Leibovitz has sold her Upper West Side co-op for nearly 24 percent over the asking price. The duplex, located in the star-studded Brentmore building at 88 Central Park West, fetched $10,625,000, roughly $2,000,000 more than what it listed for in October. But the sale was still a loss for Leibovitz, who paid about $11,250,000 for the home in 2014. The Brentmore is known for its high-profile residents, including Robert DeNiro, Paul Simon, and Sting. Kim Cooper, a general counsel at Apple, and Gregg Zehr, the creator of the Kindle, are listed as buyers of the residence, as Curbed first reported.
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All-electric affordable housing project planned for Mott Haven parking lot

Renderings courtesy of STAT Architecture PC

February 20, 2024

All-electric affordable housing project planned for Mott Haven parking lot

By Aaron Ginsburg

A project that will bring an all-electric affordable housing development and a new community theater to Mott Haven is moving forward. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) last week selected the team that will convert a city-owned parking lot at 351 Powers Avenue into a 90-unit, fully-electric affordable housing development dubbed the Powerhouse Apartments. The South Bronx development is part of Mayor Eric Adams' "24 in 24" plan, which calls for two dozen affordable housing developments on public land to advance this year.
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Affordable Housing

21 middle-income luxury apartments available in the South Bronx, from $1,800/month

All renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 16, 2024

21 middle-income luxury apartments available in the South Bronx, from $1,800/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 21 middle-income apartments at a new rental development in the South Bronx. Located at 2976 Third Avenue in Melrose, the 15-story building offers residents newly constructed luxury units with spacious open layouts. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $61,715 for a single person and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced at $1,800/month for studios, $2,250/month for one-bedrooms, and $2,600/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Vornado floats temporary outdoor event space at site of demolished Hotel Pennsylvania

All renderings are conceptual. Courtesy of Vornado

February 16, 2024

Vornado floats temporary outdoor event space at site of demolished Hotel Pennsylvania

By Aaron Ginsburg

Vornado Realty Trust may bring an outdoor event space to the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania as it delays constructing a 56-story office tower there. As first reported by Crain's, the developer has floated the idea of "Penn Platform," an 80,000-square-foot space for U.S. Open tennis matches, New York Fashion Week shows, concerts, soccer matches, and other events, in addition to giant billboards, as seen in conceptual renderings published in a marketing brochure. Located on 7th Avenue between 32nd and 33rd Streets, the site sits across from Penn Station and was once home to a 100-year-old hotel, which was demolished last year.
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Architecture And Design

Portraits of 200 Brooklynites on view at Industry City

All photos courtesy of the Free Portrait Project

February 15, 2024

Portraits of 200 Brooklynites on view at Industry City

By Aaron Ginsburg

The portraits and stories of 200 South Brooklyn residents will be on display in Sunset Park later this month as part of the Free Portrait Project. During a year-long residency at Industry City that began in January 2023, artist Rusty Zimmerman selected Brooklynites to be the subjects of oil paintings and share their oral histories. The portraits, which will be given to participants for free, will be on view from Saturday, February 24 through March 25.
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Events & Things To Do

Walk the runway at the New York Botanical Garden’s fashion-forward orchid show

The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

February 15, 2024

Walk the runway at the New York Botanical Garden’s fashion-forward orchid show

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York Botanical Garden's beloved orchid show returns this weekend, bringing the catwalk with it. Designed by artists Hillary Taymour, Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL (a.k.a. Kristen Alpaugh), "The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion" is transforming the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a picture-perfect fashion show with stylish creations made with thousands of orchids and accessory plantings. Tickets are now on sale for the show, which opens on Saturday, February 17, and runs through April 21.
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Events & Things To Do

Wegmans may open on the Upper West Side

Photo of the Wegmans at Astor Place. Courtesy of Wegmans

February 14, 2024

Wegmans may open on the Upper West Side

By Aaron Ginsburg

Wegmans may be continuing its foray into Manhattan with a new space on the Upper West Side. As first reported by the New York Post, Danny Wegman, chairman of the Rochester-based grocery store, recently signed a long-term lease for the former 58,900 square foot space of Bed Bath & Beyond at 1932 Broadway between 64th and 65th Streets. While the exact amount Wegman paid for the space isn't known publicly, sources told the Post that it was a "blended $3.5 million."
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Food & Dining

Free Shakespeare in the Park program traveling to all five boroughs this summer

The company of Mobile Unit’s “The Comedy of Errors,” touring the five boroughs May 2-21 and returning to The Public May 25-June 11. Photo credit: Peter Cooper

February 14, 2024

Free Shakespeare in the Park program traveling to all five boroughs this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

Shakespeare is coming to a park near you this summer. The Public Theater on Tuesday announced its free Shakespeare in the Park program will travel to all five boroughs while its Central Park home, the Delacorte Theater, undergoes a renovation. Kicking off on May 28, "Go Public! A Festival of Free Shakespeare in the Park" includes a citywide tour of "The Comedy of Errors" by the theater's mobile unit at parks and plazas across the city, including on the Fifth Avenue Terrace at the New York Public Library and Bryant Park and in Hudson Yards.
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Events & Things To Do

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