All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

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

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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
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

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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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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’

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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

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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
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

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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

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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
‘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

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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?
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

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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

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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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This art installation makes it look like visitors are climbing a four-story NYC brownstone

Photo by Gus Powell, courtesy of the Liberty Science Center

April 7, 2023

This art installation makes it look like visitors are climbing a four-story NYC brownstone

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In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Jersey City's Liberty Science Center is launching one of its most ambitious exhibitions yet. The center is kicking off its Big Art initiative, a new art program with two inaugural installations by Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich and Brooklyn-based artist and Pioneer Works founder Dustin Yellin. Titled The Building, Erlich's interactive installation features a model of a New York City brownstone on the ground, allowing visitors to climb across its facade and pretend to hang from the fire escapes. A giant mirror reflects the scene, creating an optical illusion.
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What you need to know about the 2023 Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in NYC

Photo courtesy of Phil Roeder on Flickr

April 7, 2023

What you need to know about the 2023 Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in NYC

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A procession of marchers wearing vibrantly over-the-top bonnets will take over Fifth Avenue on Sunday.  Hosted by the Fifth Avenue Association, New York City's annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival takes place on April 9 between East 49th to East 57th Street. New Yorkers are invited to watch as revelers march up Fifth Avenue while showing off their most intricate bonnets and outfits. Here is everything you need to know about one of NYC's age-old traditions, the Easter Parade.
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Daniel Libeskind’s affordable Bed-Stuy rental opens lottery for 99 senior apartments

Rendering of the Atrium at Sumner © 2019 New York City Housing Authority

April 6, 2023

Daniel Libeskind’s affordable Bed-Stuy rental opens lottery for 99 senior apartments

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Applications are now being accepted for 99 apartments at a unique senior housing development in Brooklyn designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. Located at 57 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, the Atrium at Sumner is an 11-story, Passive House-certified building with 190 affordable units and 7,500 square feet of community space. Applicants must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older, qualifies for Section 8 benefits, and earns no more than $60,050 annually. Eligible New Yorkers will pay 30 percent of their income for the available studio and one-bedroom apartments.
Find out if you qualify
Beach closures scheduled in the Rockaways this summer, but boardwalk will fully open

Photo courtesy of Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

April 6, 2023

Beach closures scheduled in the Rockaways this summer, but boardwalk will fully open

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Beach closures at the Rockaways are scheduled once again this summer, but city officials say the shutdown won't be as disruptive as last year. Starting on Memorial Day weekend, 10 to 15 blocks of the beach will temporarily close on a rolling basis throughout the summer, the city's Parks Department announced this week. Closures, necessary for continued work on the Atlantic Shorefront Resiliency Project, will shift as necessary, moving west from Beach 116th Street and east from Beach 143rd Street, according to the agency. The Rockway boardwalk and its concessions will remain fully open.
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Rockefeller Center unveils 193 new flags inspired by NYC food

All photos courtesy of Rockefeller Center

April 6, 2023

Rockefeller Center unveils 193 new flags inspired by NYC food

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Normally representing the 193 nations recognized by the United Nations, the flags around the plaza at Rockefeller Center will look a little different this month. Rockefeller Center collaborated with City Harvest, the city's largest food rescue organization, on its fourth annual Flag Project, an art installation that transforms the flags around the Rink at Rockefeller Center with designs submitted by the public. This year's theme celebrates the global food culture of New York City, with new flags displaying iconic scenes of neighborhood bodegas, food markets, favorite restaurants, and iconic city grub like hot dogs and pizza.
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NYC to host largest-ever car-free Earth Day celebration

Photo courtesy of the New York City Department of Transportation on Flickr

April 5, 2023

NYC to host largest-ever car-free Earth Day celebration

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New York City is marking Earth Day with its largest car-free celebration yet. The city's Department of Transportation's annual Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day event connects 100 open streets across the city, 22 plazas, and over 1,000 miles of the five borough's bike network to promote environmental activism and sustainable forms of transportation. This year's celebration will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and include seven separate signature event locations and 23 community-produced locations featuring live performances, fitness instruction, giveaways, and educational programming.
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City designates these NYC neighborhoods as ‘rat mitigation zones’

 Photo by Ludovic Bertron on Flickr

April 5, 2023

City designates these NYC neighborhoods as ‘rat mitigation zones’

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New York City this week named eight rat-prone neighborhoods as part of Mayor Eric Adams' quest to control the rodent population. According to a notice posted by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Monday, the "rat mitigation zones," which are areas with "high levels of rat activity," include Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, Grand Concourse in the Bronx, and Chinatown, the East Village, the Lower East Side, and Harlem in Manhattan. As Crain's reported, these identified zones will be the focus of a multiagency effort to address the rats and the conditions that cause them, according to the city.
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Three NYC buildings with significant ties to the history of jazz may become city landmarks

Image courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 4, 2023

Three NYC buildings with significant ties to the history of jazz may become city landmarks

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Just in time for Jazz Appreciation Month, the city may landmark three properties connected to the history of jazz. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to calendar the legendary Minton's Playhouse in Harlem, the one-time Queens home of Dizzy Gillespie, and an apartment building in Hamilton Heights where jazz pioneers Duke Ellington and Noble Lee Sissle once lived.
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Papaya King finds new home on the Upper East Side

Image courtesy of ajay_suresh on Flickr

April 4, 2023

Papaya King finds new home on the Upper East Side

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Papaya King, the iconic hot dog and fruit juice institution, has found a new home after years of narrowly avoiding permanent closure, as first reported by Upper East Site. The renowned frankfurter establishment will move across the street from its original location at 179 East 86th Street to a new storefront at 1535 Third Avenue, which could open as early as next week.
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What New Yorkers should know about Trump’s arraignment in NYC

Photo by Ajay Suresh on Wikimedia

April 3, 2023

What New Yorkers should know about Trump’s arraignment in NYC

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For the first time in history, a president of the United States has been charged with a crime. After arriving in Manhattan on Monday night, former President Donald Trump will travel from Trump Tower in Midtown to the office of the Manhattan district attorney to surrender to authorities and be arraigned at a Lower Manhattan courthouse. Swarms of media personnel and protestors are expected to line up to witness the historic event. Here's what New Yorkers should know about how New York City has prepared for Tuesday, including possible street closures and other security plans.
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Apply for 38 mixed-income units in Clinton Hill, from $1,576/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 3, 2023

Apply for 38 mixed-income units in Clinton Hill, from $1,576/month

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A housing lottery opened this week for 38 mixed-income apartments at a new residential development in Brooklyn. Located at 963 Atlantic Avenue in Clinton Hill, the nine-story building contains 124 units and an assortment of amenities for tenants, including an open-air roof deck. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $58,115 annually for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the units, priced between $1,576/month for studios and $2,850/month for two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Now complete, NYC’s largest office-to-condo conversion One Wall Street shows off latest home

Images courtesy of Colin Miller

April 3, 2023

Now complete, NYC’s largest office-to-condo conversion One Wall Street shows off latest home

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New York City's largest office-to-residential conversion is flaunting its latest luxury residence. Construction has officially wrapped up at the Art Deco landmark One Wall Street, formerly the headquarters for the Irving Trust Company and now a 566-unit residential tower. Following that milestone, new images were released last week of one of the building's most impressive apartments, Residence 3404. The home represents a unique collaboration between interior designer Guillaume Coutheillas of frenchCalifornia and One Wall Street developer Harry Macklowe, who hand-picked all of the art seen in the three-bedroom apartment.
Take a look
See the waterfront food hall opening at Hudson River Park’s Pier 57

All photos courtesy of Pier 57

March 31, 2023

See the waterfront food hall opening at Hudson River Park’s Pier 57

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New York City's newest food hall will open to the public at Pier 57 this weekend. Located within Hudson River Park, Market 57 includes 15 food vendors run by chefs and entrepreneurs who have been historically underrepresented in the industry. Curated by the James Beard Foundation (JBF) with developer Jamestown, the market aims to be an incubator for new culinary talent. The food hall and community spaces open on April 1.
More here
A Queens-themed photo installation is now on view at JFK Airport

Photo courtesy of JFKIAT

March 31, 2023

A Queens-themed photo installation is now on view at JFK Airport

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A new digital art installation in JFK Airport's Terminal 4 explores what "home" means to New Yorkers. The T4 Arts & Culture program partnered with the Museum of the City of New York to bring New York Now: Home, the first installation of an ongoing photography series at the museum that debuted this month, to the terminal. The 15 images now on display throughout Terminal 4 were either created by an artist with a connection to Queens or who make the borough the subject of their work.
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NYC to launch new hybrid ferry to Governors Island

Renderings courtesy of the Elliott Bay Design Group

March 30, 2023

NYC to launch new hybrid ferry to Governors Island

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New York City's first-ever public hybrid-electric ferry will set sail next summer. Revealed on Wednesday by Mayor Eric Adams and the Trust for Governors Island, the new vessel uses a hybrid propulsion system that drastically reduces air pollution, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 600 tons per year, according to a press release. The ferry will start carrying passengers between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island in the summer of 2024.
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Coney Island opens for the season this weekend

Photo courtesy of Luna Park

March 30, 2023

Coney Island opens for the season this weekend

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Coney Island's beachfront amusement parks are opening for the 2023 season this weekend. Starting on March 31, Luna Park, home to the famous Cyclone rollercoaster, is hosting its traditional opening weekend ceremonies, which include the egg-cream christening and first ride of the Cyclone. To celebrate the iconic rollercoaster's 96th birthday, the first 96 riders get a free ride and an egg cream. And Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will celebrate its 103rd birthday with its annual "Blessing of the Rides" and free rides on its historic Ferris wheel on Sunday, April 2.
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