All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

City revives ‘She Built NYC,’ launches open call for artists to design four statues of women

Rendering courtesy of Amanda Williams and Olalekan B. Jeyifous/ NYC Public Design Commission

March 29, 2024

City revives ‘She Built NYC,’ launches open call for artists to design four statues of women

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is reviving a campaign to honor influential women integral to the city's history with monuments. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the city will resume the She Built NYC initiative, which includes building new statues of Dr. Helen Rodriguez Trías in the Bronx, Elizabeth Jennings Graham in Manhattan, Billie Holiday in Queens, and Katherine Walker on Staten Island. The four projects were announced in 2019 but were delayed due to the pandemic and never reached the first phase of planning.
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Policy

$24M revamp of Lower East Side’s Nuyorican Poets Café is underway

Renderings courtesy of the NYC DCLA

March 29, 2024

$24M revamp of Lower East Side’s Nuyorican Poets Café is underway

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Nuyorican Poets Café, a beloved performance space on the Lower East Side for half a century, is undergoing a $24.1 million transformation. The city's Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Design and Construction on Thursday kicked off the project, which will renovate and expand the cultural institution's lobby, add new performance spaces and offices, improve accessibility, and perform extensive repairs on the building's exterior. Designed by Rice+Lipka Architects, the reconstruction project is slated for completion in spring 2026.
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Architecture And Design

NYC to test gun detectors in the subway system

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

March 28, 2024

NYC to test gun detectors in the subway system

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City will test weapon-detecting scanners in the subway system to make commuters feel safer after a string of violent incidents. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday unveiled a portable scanner designed to detect guns carried by riders. The pilot program can begin following a 90-day waiting period during which the public can share their thoughts on the technology. The mayor also said the city will hire more clinicians to connect people with severe mental illness in the transit system to treatment and care.
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NYC proposes new high-density zoning districts if state lifts floor-to-area ratio cap

The San Remo on the Upper West Side could not be built today under the existing 12 FAR cap. Photo by Bert Sagi on Unsplash

March 28, 2024

NYC proposes new high-density zoning districts if state lifts floor-to-area ratio cap

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams is calling on the state to lift a policy restricting the density of residential towers to allow for bigger apartment buildings and more affordable housing in New York City. Enacted in 1961, the existing floor-to-area ratio, or FAR, cap allows buildings up to 12 times the size of their lot. On Thursday, the Adams administration called on state lawmakers to eliminate the cap and proposed two new zoning districts in NYC that would permit buildings to be constructed up to 15 and 18 times their lot size, while also including affordable housing.
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The Ellis Island Museum to be ‘reimagined’ in $100M makeover

Baggage Room Rendering. Courtesy of Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation

March 28, 2024

The Ellis Island Museum to be ‘reimagined’ in $100M makeover

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's Ellis Island Museum is getting a $100 million makeover. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation on Thursday announced a revitalization project to upgrade the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and reimagine it for the 21st century by improving exhibits, preserving its 19th-century landmarked building, and offering a more immersive experience with stories of the 12 million immigrants who arrived in the country via Ellis Island. The project, slated for completion in 2026, will also expand the museum's Records Discovery Center, allowing millions more to trace their heritage.
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NYC celebrates 85th anniversary of Batman with pop-up comic book giveaways

Image courtesy of SoHo News International

March 28, 2024

NYC celebrates 85th anniversary of Batman with pop-up comic book giveaways

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is honoring the 85th anniversary of Batman with free pop-up giveaways. On Saturday, March 30, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics are giving away special-edition copies of "Detective Comics #27," the 1939 issue debuting Batman to the world, at a pop-up in Soho. The comic books will be given away one per person at SoHo News International, located at 186 Prince Street, starting at 11 a.m., while supplies last.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC congestion pricing program gains final approval, with June start date

Photo by Jesús Mirón García on Pexels

March 27, 2024

NYC congestion pricing program gains final approval, with June start date

By Aaron Ginsburg

The plan to charge drivers entering certain parts of Manhattan received final approval on Wednesday, signaling the imminent start of the country's first congestion pricing program. The Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted 11-to-1 to approve the toll rates for the program, which includes a fee of $15 for passenger and small commercial vehicles entering below 60th Street from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unless held up by the several legal challenges the program currently faces, congestion pricing is expected to start in June.
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Greenpoint rental near the waterfront launches lottery for 24 homes, from $1,546/month

All renderings courtesy of StudiosC- studiosc.net

March 27, 2024

Greenpoint rental near the waterfront launches lottery for 24 homes, from $1,546/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 24 mixed-income apartments at a new residential development in Greenpoint. Located at 33 Franklin Street, the seven-story building, dubbed Franklin Court, has 80 apartments with spacious layouts, impressive amenities, and a prime spot in Greenpoint near the waterfront. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $55,680 for a single person and $165,230 for a household of three, can apply for the apartments. Units start at $1,546/month for studios, $1,620/month for one-bedrooms, and $1,881/month for two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

25 spots to watch the solar eclipse in NYC and beyond

2017 solar eclipse at the Top of the Rock. Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer

March 26, 2024

25 spots to watch the solar eclipse in NYC and beyond

By Aaron Ginsburg

On April 8, New York will experience its first total solar eclipse in almost a century. Five regions across the northern part of the state lie in the path of totality and will witness the moon passing between the sun and earth, blocking the face of the sun for up to four minutes. While only a partial eclipse will be visible in New York City, the event marks the last solar eclipse in the five boroughs until 2044. In anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event, the state is offering plenty of ways to witness the spectacle. Ahead, find the best ways to experience the solar eclipse across the state, from aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid and atop the city's highest outdoor observation deck to the banks of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain State Park and a Long Island beach.
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Events & Things To Do

Penn Station’s Tracks Bar to open in Grand Central Madison

Renderings courtesy of the MTA

March 25, 2024

Penn Station’s Tracks Bar to open in Grand Central Madison

By Aaron Ginsburg

A former Penn Station mainstay and favorite of Long Island Rail Road commuters will be the first restaurant to open in Grand Central Madison. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday revealed plans to make Tracks Raw Bar & Grill its first major commercial tenant at the new LIRR terminal--which opened in Grand Central last January--as first reported by the New York Post.
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Popular Articles

50 middle-income apartments available on the Astoria waterfront, from $3,105/month

Renderings courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Development and Preservation

March 22, 2024

50 middle-income apartments available on the Astoria waterfront, from $3,105/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 50 middle-income apartments at a new residential development on the Astoria waterfront. Located at 26-25 4th Street, The Winslow offers brand-new luxury apartments and breathtaking waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $106,458 for a single person and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the units, which range from $3,105/month studios to $3,963/month two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Citi Bike docks installed at Citi Field ahead of Mets home opener

All photos courtesy of NYC DOT

March 22, 2024

Citi Bike docks installed at Citi Field ahead of Mets home opener

By Aaron Ginsburg

Baseball fans can now ride Citi Bikes to Citi Field, just in time for the start of the 2024 season. The New York Mets, Citi Bike, and Lyft on Thursday unveiled new docking stations at Citi Field, offering another way to travel to a ball game. The stadium will feature 66 docks, about half of which are near the main entrance near the homerun apple and another half next to the intersection of Shea Road and Boat Basin Place.
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Tender photographs capturing queer Black experience on view at NYC bus stops

Clifford Prince King. “dante, (capoeira),” 2023. Archival inkjet print. Image: © Courtesy the artist; STARS Gallery, Los Angeles; and Gordon Robichaux, New York. Photo: Nicholas Knight, Courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY. Presented by Public Art Fund as part of “Clifford Prince King: Let me know when you get home,” an exhibition on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters and 30 newsstands in New York, Chicago, and Boston, February 21-May 26, 2024.

March 21, 2024

Tender photographs capturing queer Black experience on view at NYC bus stops

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City-based photographer Clifford Prince King shares a deeply personal glimpse into his life in his first-ever public art exhibition. Presented by the Public Art Fund, “Let me know when you get home,” features 13 new photographs King captured during his travels in the summer of 2023, providing an intimate look into the artist’s sources of "comfort, companionship, and love." The exhibition is currently on view through May 26 at 300 bus shelters and 30 newsstands across New York City, Chicago, and Boston.
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Events & Things To Do

Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC

Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo Credit: Amy Nieporent

March 21, 2024

Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Thousands of cherry blossom trees across the five boroughs have begun to sprout their vibrant petals, marking the arrival of spring in NYC. One of the best ways to experience the breathtaking flora is by embarking on a tour through one of the city's cherry blossom hot spots. Luckily, plenty of locations across the city offer tours of cherry blossoms and spring flowers, including Central Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Green-Wood Cemetery, and more.
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NYC launches first-ever tenant protection cabinet

Photo by Anthony Fomin on Unsplash

March 19, 2024

NYC launches first-ever tenant protection cabinet

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City now has a government agency dedicated to protecting tenants. Mayor Eric Adams last week launched the city’s first-ever Tenant Protection Cabinet (TPC), a new multi-agency team that will create policies and long-term strategies to ensure safer, more equitable housing conditions for all New Yorkers. Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and NYC Executive Director of Housing Leila Bozorg will co-chair the cabinet.
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Policy

Port Authority seeks local, minority vendors for JFK Airport’s new $9.5B terminal

Renderings courtesy of the Port Authority of NY and NJ

March 19, 2024

Port Authority seeks local, minority vendors for JFK Airport’s new $9.5B terminal

By Aaron Ginsburg

John F. Kennedy International Airport is searching for vendors to fulfill its vision for its new international terminal. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), The New Terminal One (NTO), and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports on Monday announced the launch of the commercial program for JFK Airport’s $9.5 billion all-international terminal opening in 2026. The retail spaces at the terminal will offer "beloved NYC favorites, global powerhouse brands, engaging guest experiences, and thoughtful amenities under one spectacular roof," according to a press release.
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Lottery opens for 155 affordable apartments in Far Rockaway, from $410/month

Rockaway Village. Photo ©️David Sundberg ESTO

March 19, 2024

Lottery opens for 155 affordable apartments in Far Rockaway, from $410/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 155 apartments at a new 100 percent affordable development in Far Rockaway. The building at 1605 Village Lane is the fourth phase of Rockaway Village Apartments, a sprawling housing project with 1,700 apartments connected by several public plazas. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $17,006 for a single person and $140,080 for a household of seven, can apply for the units, priced from $410/month studios to $2,035/month three bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

William Kentridge’s video animation of historical figures on view at Moynihan Train Hall

Images courtesy of Amtrak

March 18, 2024

William Kentridge’s video animation of historical figures on view at Moynihan Train Hall

By Aaron Ginsburg

A cast of historical figures is watching travelers as they bustle through the waiting area of Moynihan Train Hall. Created by South African artist William Kentridge, "We Will Make Shoes from the Sky" is a multi-panel video animation featuring characters based on famous people from history, including several Black leaders like James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, and Aimé and Suzanne Césaire. The installation is currently on view on the digital screens in the main waiting area of Moynihan Train Hall.
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NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup

Photos courtesy of Dragon Fest

March 18, 2024

NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup

By Aaron Ginsburg

Dragon Fest, New York City’s first-ever outdoor Chinese food and culture festival, is returning next month after a successful debut last year. This year’s festival includes an expanded lineup, featuring 16 unique events hosted in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens from April 6 through October 6. Attendees can enjoy Chinese art, cultural traditions, and more than 100 varieties of Chinese food from esteemed local vendors such as Nan Xiang and MìLa.
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Taconic unveils plans to build 28-story office tower in Hudson Square

Renderings courtesy of Taconic Partners

March 15, 2024

Taconic unveils plans to build 28-story office tower in Hudson Square

By Aaron Ginsburg

Taconic Partners and Nuveen Real Estate on Wednesday unveiled new renderings of One Grand, a new 28-story office tower in Hudson Square designed by renowned architecture firm SHoP Architects. Located on the corner of Grand and Varick Streets where the neighborhoods of Soho, Hudson Square, and Tribeca intersect, the building will serve as a state-of-the-art headquarters, offering 430,763 square feet of rentable space, 20,040 square feet of outdoor space, and a public school on the ground floor, according to The Real Deal.
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Coney Island opening for 2024 season

Images courtesy of Luna Park

March 14, 2024

Coney Island opening for 2024 season

By Aaron Ginsburg

Coney Island’s beachfront amusement district, Luna Park, is set to reopen for the 2024 season next weekend. The historic amusement park will reopen on Saturday, March 23, kicking off a weekend of fun featuring its annual opening ceremonies, including the first ride and egg cream christening of its famous rollercoaster, the Coney Island Cyclone. Keeping in line with tradition, to celebrate the 97th birthday of the Cyclone, the first 97 visitors will ride the rollercoaster for free and get a free egg cream.
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Events & Things To Do

Ride a vintage NYC subway car to the home opener at Yankee Stadium

Photo by Marc A. Hermann/ MTA on Flickr

March 14, 2024

Ride a vintage NYC subway car to the home opener at Yankee Stadium

By Aaron Ginsburg

Baseball lovers can travel to Yankee Stadium in retro style aboard vintage NYC subway trains. The New York Transit Museum is running its beloved 1917 IRT Lo-V train and Train of Many Colors on Friday, April 5, offering baseball fans a special way to arrive at the Yankees home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. The event is free with subway fare and departs from Grand Central Terminal at 11 a.m., giving Yankee fans more than enough time to catch the first pitch at 1:05 p.m.
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Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

A rally of library supporters at City Hall on March 12. Photo courtesy of NYPL

March 13, 2024

Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

By Aaron Ginsburg

Most New York City public libraries would only be able to open five days a week if the latest budget proposed by Mayor Eric Adams is approved, library officials warned this week. The presidents of the city’s three public library systems testified at a City Council budget hearing on Tuesday on the detrimental effects the proposed $58.3 million in budget cuts could have on library service. If the mayor's budget for the next fiscal year is approved, most city libraries will cut hours to just five days a week, marking the first time in nearly a decade that libraries will not be open six days at every branch.
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Policy

A mini forest is coming to Roosevelt Island

Images courtesy of SUGi

March 13, 2024

A mini forest is coming to Roosevelt Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

A mini forest that can prevent flooding during storms and build biodiversity is coming to Roosevelt Island. Conceived by global platform SUGi, the Manhattan Healing Forest will consist of 1,000 native trees, shrubs, and plants and measure just 2,700 square feet in Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park. The so-called "pocket forest" will be “strategically positioned to stabilize the land,” capture water, provide a habitat for wildlife, and serve as a “living barrier” against flooding and erosion.
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Architecture And Design

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