All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Starbucks opens three-level Reserve location inside the Empire State Building

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

November 16, 2022

Starbucks opens three-level Reserve location inside the Empire State Building

By Aaron Ginsburg

Starbucks is opening another of its premium, immersive roasteries within the Empire State Building on Wednesday. Spanning 23,000 square feet across three floors, the new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store features immersive experiences like hands-on workshops and guided tasting flights, as well as an extensive menu of coffee beverages, craft cocktails, and artisan food only available at the location.
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Food & Dining

The first survey of Puerto Rican art in a major U.S. museum in 50 years will open in NYC

Gamaliel Rodríguez, Collapsed Soul, 2020–21. Ink and acrylic on canvas, 84 × 112 in. (213.3 × 284.5 cm). © 2021 Gamaliel Rodríguez. Courtesy of the artist and Nathalie Karg Gallery NYC. Photograph by Gamaliel Rodríguez

November 15, 2022

The first survey of Puerto Rican art in a major U.S. museum in 50 years will open in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

An exhibition opening at the Whitney Museum of American Art this month is the first survey of contemporary Puerto Rican art presented in a major United States museum in almost 50 years. Titled "no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria," the exhibit is made up of work from 20 intergenerational artists who explore the years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017 and respond to the political, social, and environmental factors connected to the disaster.
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Events & Things To Do

Adams announces overhaul of NYC’s housing voucher program

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

November 15, 2022

Adams announces overhaul of NYC’s housing voucher program

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City officials are fighting the city's looming housing crisis with a few major policy changes. Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced new housing reforms that will help homeless New Yorkers easily transition from the shelter system into affordable and supportive housing and give them access to housing in higher-income neighborhoods that have previously been out of reach for lower-income families.
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The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in NYC

All photos courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

November 14, 2022

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in Midtown, marking the start of the holiday season in New York City. Donated by a family in Glens Falls, New York, the 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce tree is 50 feet wide and weighs around 14 tons. After its arrival at Rockefeller Center this weekend, the hefty tree was hoisted into position by a crane and set in place, where it will stand throughout the holiday season. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 30.
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Museum of Broadway opens in Times Square this week

All photos courtesy of Monique Carboni

November 14, 2022

Museum of Broadway opens in Times Square this week

By Aaron Ginsburg

The first-ever permanent museum dedicated to the rich history of Broadway theater is opening in Times Square on Tuesday. Located at 145 West 45th Street, the Museum of Broadway will guide guests through an immersive visual history of Broadway, delving into moments throughout The Great White Way's history and displaying a variety of costumes, props, rare photos, videos, and more.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter after a month

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

November 11, 2022

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter after a month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Only a month after opening, the migrant shelter on Randall's Island will close, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. The 84,400-square-foot facility, which was designed for adult men and held 500 beds and a recreation center, will be replaced by a new center in Midtown Manhattan, as first reported by City Limits. The Randall's Island facility is set to be shuttered next week, and current occupants of the facility will be provided with transportation to the Watson Hotel on West 57th Street, where 600 rooms will be used to house asylum seekers.
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Policy

NYC is considering making Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza car-free

Photo courtesy of Jordan Rathkopf/ Prospect Park Alliance

November 11, 2022

NYC is considering making Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza car-free

By Aaron Ginsburg

Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza may become the city's next car-free space. As first reported by Gothamist, the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering connecting the Prospect Heights plaza to the Open Streets program on Vanderbilt and Underhill Avenues. The plaza, anchored by its ornate Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch and the official entrance to Prospect Park, has long been the target of safe street activists due to its vehicle traffic and poor sidewalk conditions.
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Citymeals’ festive holiday cards help deliver meals to elderly New Yorkers

‘Tis the Season by Katie Woodward, Image courtesy of Citymeals on Wheels

November 11, 2022

Citymeals’ festive holiday cards help deliver meals to elderly New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

Citymeals on Wheels' annual holiday card program is returning for the 30th year this holiday season to raise funds for the preparation and delivery of meals to elderly, homebound New Yorkers. The cards feature designs from previous seasons and new original designs of iconic New York City holiday scenes, from a snow day on the Bow Bridge in Central Park to a newly chopped-down Christmas tree atop a taxi.
How you can help

Apply for 77 mixed-income units in East Williamsburg, from $770/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

November 10, 2022

Apply for 77 mixed-income units in East Williamsburg, from $770/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 77 mixed-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located at 269 Wallabout Street in East Williamsburg, the eight-story mixed-use building contains 58 modern apartments. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 115 percent of the area median income, or between $29,760 for a single person and $202,515 for a household of nine people, can apply for the apartments, priced from $770/month one-bedroom units to $3,250/month four-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

MTA celebrates Dolly Parton’s new album with limited-edition MetroCard

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

November 9, 2022

MTA celebrates Dolly Parton’s new album with limited-edition MetroCard

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released a limited-edition Dolly Parton MetroCard in celebration of the legendary country singer's new greatest hits album. In partnership with Legacy Recordings and Dolly Records, the MTA has loaded MetroCard vending machines with 50,000 limited edition cards at four high-traffic stations in Manhattan.
How to score one

Transit

Popular Articles

Along with electing Hochul, New York voters approve $4.2B in climate spending

In 2021, Hochul toured several homes in the East Elmhurst section of Queens that flooded from torrential rains brought on by Hurricane Ida. Photo: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor on Flickr

November 9, 2022

Along with electing Hochul, New York voters approve $4.2B in climate spending

By Aaron Ginsburg

In addition to electing Gov. Kathy Hochul, voters in New York on Tuesday approved four new ballot measures that focus on fighting climate change and improving racial equity. Nearly 70 percent of voters said yes to the landmark "Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act," which gives the state permission to borrow $4.2 billion for funding projects that will protect New Yorkers from future extreme weather due to climate change. It's the largest initiative for environmental protection in New York State history.
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19 spots to watch the 2022 World Cup in NYC

Photo courtesy of Ryan’s Daughter

November 9, 2022

19 spots to watch the 2022 World Cup in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

For one month, New York City becomes a full-on soccer town. On November 20, the FIFA World Cup kicks off, with a total of 64 matches held over 28 days. As a city home to people from around the globe, New York is a great place to watch the world's best soccer clubs go head-to-head and represent their home countries. Ahead, find the best bars and restaurants across the city to watch the 2022 World Cup, from The Red Lion in Greenwich Village to Pig Beach BBQ in Astoria.
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A Keith Haring mural that has been out of public view for 30 years will be auctioned for charity

Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s; ‘Mural for The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York’ by Keith Haring

November 8, 2022

A Keith Haring mural that has been out of public view for 30 years will be auctioned for charity

By Aaron Ginsburg

A forgotten Keith Haring mural that has sat in storage for over 30 years is being shown in public for the first time and auctioned off for charity. Created in 1986 by the legendary pop artist, Haring drew the mural within the Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital to instill hope in the young patients who were staying in the facility, as first reported by Time Out NY. The building was torn down in 1989 to make space for the Guggenheim Pavilion, but the mural was saved and placed in storage.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC’s area median income increases by 16 percent, ‘wildly out of sync’ with actual income of New Yorkers

Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash

November 8, 2022

NYC’s area median income increases by 16 percent, ‘wildly out of sync’ with actual income of New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new report highlights how the area median income (AMI) set by the federal government for New York City is "wildly out of sync" with the actual incomes earned by most New Yorkers. The New York Housing Conference (NYHC) last week released a policy brief outlining the discrepancy, citing the new AMI levels set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the area. The federal government set the new median family income at $94,500 while the city's actual household median income remains at $60,550.
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2,600 supportive housing units in NYC remain vacant despite new developments

Image courtesy of mari small on Unsplash

November 7, 2022

2,600 supportive housing units in NYC remain vacant despite new developments

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city has delivered on its promise to create more housing for homeless and mentally ill New Yorkers but has had trouble actually filling the units, according to a new report. Data released by the city last week obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request showed that 2,600 supportive housing units are still vacant despite New York City's urgent housing crisis and despite Mayor Eric Adams' pledge to streamline the application process for these apartments, as first reported by the New York Times.
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Vote for your favorite large-scale can sculpture during 30th annual ‘Canstruction’ contest

All images courtesy of Ashok Sinha

November 4, 2022

Vote for your favorite large-scale can sculpture during 30th annual ‘Canstruction’ contest

By Aaron Ginsburg

The annual competition that brings together architects, engineers, and contractors for a good cause is back for its 30th year. "Canstruction" asks teams to design and build intricate, large-scale sculptures made of unopened food cans, with all of the cans donated to City Harvest, the city’s largest food rescue organization, and distributed to food pantries following the contest. Held at Brookfield Place in the Financial District, the event is free and open to the public. The competition runs through November 14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Vote for your favorite can sculpture here.
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Events & Things To Do

199 affordable apartments available at new Bed-Stuy rental, from $375/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

November 4, 2022

199 affordable apartments available at new Bed-Stuy rental, from $375/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 199 affordable units at a new housing project in Brooklyn. Located at 1921 Atlantic Avenue in Bed-Stuy, the 14-story mixed-use building has 236 total units, several community facilities, and a ground-floor grocery floor. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $16,218 for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven people, are eligible to apply for the apartments which range from $375/month studios to $2,501/month three bedrooms.
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY

Affordable Housing

Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel-turned-affordable housing complex opens in Dumbo

Photo of 90 Sands Street from Brooklyn Bridge; Courtesy of Breaking Ground

November 3, 2022

Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel-turned-affordable housing complex opens in Dumbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

Breaking Ground on Thursday opened 90 Sands Street, a former Jehovah's Witnesses hotel in Dumbo that has been converted into 491 affordable and supportive apartments. Renovated by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects, the 30-story building will offer onsite social services to residents provided by the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS).
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Affordable Housing

Here’s what Rikers Island could look like as a green infrastructure hub

All renderings courtesy of Andrea Johnson for the Regional Plan Association

November 3, 2022

Here’s what Rikers Island could look like as a green infrastructure hub

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new report released this week details how New York City's notorious Rikers Island could become a green energy center after the prison complex closes. The Regional Plan Association and Rhode Island School of Design on Wednesday revealed their vision to transform the over 400-acre Rikers Island into a green energy hub with solar energy production, recycling and composting infrastructure, a research and training facility for the formerly incarcerated, and a wastewater treatment plant.
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Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Marathon

Image courtesy of Steven Pisano on Flickr

November 2, 2022

Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Marathon

By Aaron Ginsburg

The world's premier marathon event is returning in full force to New York City on Sunday. On November 6, tens of thousands of runners from around the globe will flock to the city to partake in the 51st annual TCS New York City Marathon, a 26.2-mile race that takes participants through all five boroughs and finishes in Central Park. The marathon is returning at full capacity for the first time since 2019 with 50,000 fully-vaccinated runners racing in this year's event.
On your mark

Events & Things To Do

Brooklyn Council Member hopes to plant 3,400 trees in his district, and wants neighbors to chip in

Image via WikiCommons

November 2, 2022

Brooklyn Council Member hopes to plant 3,400 trees in his district, and wants neighbors to chip in

By Aaron Ginsburg

Brooklyn residents should expect to see a lot more greenery over the next couple of years. Council Member Lincoln Restler on Wednesday announced a plan to plant 3,400 trees in vacant street tree pits across District 33 in an effort to max out the district's street tree capacity. The city's Parks Department has committed to planting 2,200 trees over the next four years, with Restler's office calling upon the community to help fund the planting of an additional 1,200 trees.
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City Living

Bushwick block with diverse 19th-century architectural styles may be landmarked

Streetview of 25-29 Linden Street © Google 2022

November 1, 2022

Bushwick block with diverse 19th-century architectural styles may be landmarked

By Aaron Ginsburg

A collection of rowhouses representing a variety of distinct architectural styles in Brooklyn may become the city's next historic district. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to calendar the Linden Street Historic District, which consists of a group of 32 intact brick and brownstone row houses in Bushwick. Located on Linden Street between Broadway and Bushwick Avenue, the rowhouses are designed in varying late-19th-century architectural styles that give them a distinct look and strong sense of place, according to the commission.
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Policy

15 ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in NYC

Photo of the National Museum of the American Indian courtesy of Wikimedia; Photo of AMNH’s Northwest Coast Hall courses of D. Finnin/AMNH

November 1, 2022

15 ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month as a way to commemorate the cultures, histories, and traditions of indigenous peoples across the country. Although New York became the first state to recognize "American Indian Day" in 1916, it's important to remember that the forceful removal of Native people from their homes is inextricably linked to the history of New York City and the surrounding area. Ahead, find ways to honor Native American Heritage Month, from events at the National Museum of the American Indian to nature-inspired tours through city parks.
Get the list

All renderings courtesy of Marvel

October 31, 2022

Bronx Museum of the Arts unveils $26M renovation plan and brand redesign

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York City's only free contemporary art museum revealed a new design and revamped brand identity. Located at the corner of Grand Concourse and 165th Street in the Bronx, the Bronx Museum of the Arts will receive a new multi-story entrance and lobby design in its South Wing created by architectural firm Marvel using $26 million in city funding. It is the first time the museum has undergone such a significant transformation, which will wrap up by 2025.
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Lottery opens for 42 affordable units in the South Bronx, from $397/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

October 28, 2022

Lottery opens for 42 affordable units in the South Bronx, from $397/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 42 affordable units in the Bronx. Located at 740 Brook Avenue in Woodstock, the nine-story mixed-use building offers tenants brand-new residences and a variety of amenities. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 100 percent of the area median income, or between $16,183 for a single person and $165,500 for a household of seven, can apply for the apartments which range from $397/month studios to $2,545/month three bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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