All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Two tudor-filled areas in Queens’ Cambria Heights designated as historic districts

Image courtesy of the Landmark Preservation Commission

June 29, 2022

Two tudor-filled areas in Queens’ Cambria Heights designated as historic districts

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to designate two districts in the Queens neighborhood of Cambria Heights as historic districts. The two areas, known as the 222nd Street and 227th Street Historic Districts, contain 96 well-maintained Tudor-style rowhouses that incorporate Storybook design elements. Both historic districts have been deemed by the LPC to be extraordinarily well-preserved and give the area a "highly distinctive sense of place."
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Policy

Meriem Bennani reveals first-ever public sculpture on the High Line

“Windy” by Meriem Bennani, co-commissioned by High Line Art and Audemars Piguet Contemporary. Image courtesy of the artist, High Line and Audemars Piguet

June 28, 2022

Meriem Bennani reveals first-ever public sculpture on the High Line

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City-based artist Meriem Bennani last week debuted her first public sculpture, a captivating kinetic structure that kicked off the summer season of the High Lines Art's program. Windy, co-commissioned by High Line Art and Audemars Piguet Contemporary, is a 9-foot-tall spinning structure comprised of approximately 200 black foam discs that spin at different speeds and in unique sequences. Located on the High Line at 24th Street, Bennani's piece will stay on view to the public until May 2023.
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Events & Things To Do

25 low-income units available at 14-story Mott Haven condominium, from $1,576/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 27, 2022

25 low-income units available at 14-story Mott Haven condominium, from $1,576/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 low-income units at a new residential development in the Bronx. Located in Mott Haven, 310 Grand Concourse is a 14-story condominium building with 150 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $56,983 for a single person and $115,280 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,576/month studios to $2,002/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

13 spots to watch the 4th of July fireworks in NYC

Photo by John Saeyong Ra on Flickr

June 27, 2022

13 spots to watch the 4th of July fireworks in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

To most Americans, the Fourth of July means good food, drinks, time spent with family and friends, but most importantly, fireworks. Luckily for New Yorkers, the city has plenty of opportunities to see fireworks with Macy's annual 4th of July Fireworks show and Jersey City's own grand fireworks display. For those seeking an unforgettable Independence Day experience, here is a selection of the best ticketed events to enjoy this year's July 4th fireworks celebration, from waterfront bars lining the East River's piers to the city's highest observation decks.
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Events & Things To Do

First LGBTQ+ National Park Service visitor center to open at NYC’s Stonewall Inn

Photo by Another Believer on Wikimedia

June 24, 2022

First LGBTQ+ National Park Service visitor center to open at NYC’s Stonewall Inn

By Aaron Ginsburg

The National Park Service's first LGBTQ+ visitor center will open at Greenwich Village's Stonewall Inn, organizers announced this week. Pride Live, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, officially broke ground on the future 3,700-square-foot Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), expected to open in 2024. Located at 51 Christopher Street, the center will sit directly next to the historic Stonewall Inn and provide a space to learn about the Stonewall Rebellion in its original location.
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History

NJ’s American Dream mall will open huge food hall with iconic NYC eateries

Courtesy of American Dream

June 23, 2022

NJ’s American Dream mall will open huge food hall with iconic NYC eateries

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Jersey's American Dream on Thursday announced the seven vendors that will make up the mega mall's food hall. The 10,000-square-foot space will feature iconic New York City food and drink offerings, as well as oversized games, including Jenga, corn hole, and Connect 4. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Best Pizza will be opening their first Garden State locations within the mall, along with NYC favorites Vinoteca, Lady M, and Vanessa's Dumpling House. The food hall will celebrate its grand opening on July 13 with a corn hole tournament, live music, kid's games, and prizes.
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Food & Dining

MTA pledges to make 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055

© 6sqft

June 23, 2022

MTA pledges to make 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a class action settlement agreement to make 95 percent of currently inaccessible subway stations accessible to those with disabilities over the next three decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday. Currently, just 27 percent of the New York City subway system, including Staten Island Railway stations, are fully accessible to riders with disabilities. Under the agreement, which still requires court approval, the MTA will make accessible 81 stations by 2025, another 85 stations by 2035, another 90 stations by 2045, and the last 90 stations by 2055.
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Broadway will drop mask mandate for month of July

Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

June 22, 2022

Broadway will drop mask mandate for month of July

By Aaron Ginsburg

Masks will no longer be required at all of Broadway's 41 theaters next month, the Broadway League announced Tuesday. Starting July 1, masks will be optional for audiences at shows. The League said masking protocols for August and beyond will be reviewed on a monthly basis, with an updated decision made in mid-July. While masks will not be required, audience members are still encouraged to wear them.
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Lottery opens for 25 middle-income units on the Bushwick-Bed-Stuy border, from $2,499/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 22, 2022

Lottery opens for 25 middle-income units on the Bushwick-Bed-Stuy border, from $2,499/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located on the border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick, 912 Broadway is an eight-story mixed-use building with 81 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $85,680 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which include $2,499/month one-bedrooms and $2,999/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Leasing launches at waterfront rental Astoria West, with apartments priced from $2,920/month

Rendering: Binyan Studio

June 21, 2022

Leasing launches at waterfront rental Astoria West, with apartments priced from $2,920/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new three-building development in Astoria with hundreds of apartments officially launched leasing on Tuesday. Developed by Cape Advisors, Astoria West, located at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard faces the tiny urban "beach" Hallet's Cove and contains 534 rentals and more than 40,000 square feet of amenities. Available units range from studios to two bedrooms, priced from $2,920/month.
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Popular Articles

Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Pride March

Photo by Jessica Green on Unsplash

June 21, 2022

Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Pride March

By Aaron Ginsburg

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the NYC Pride March is returning to the city, fully in person, on Sunday, June 26. The theme for this year's march is "Unapologetically Us," with Ts Madison, Punkie Johnson, Schuyler Bailar, Dominique Morgan, and Chase Strangio set to be the event's grand marshals. Ahead, get the details for this year's parade and learn more about other Pride events taking place.
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Events & Things To Do

Lottery opens for 84 affordable units in the Bronx neighborhood of Williamsbridge, from $681/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 20, 2022

Lottery opens for 84 affordable units in the Bronx neighborhood of Williamsbridge, from $681/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 84 affordable units at a new rental in the Bronx. Located on East 211th and East 212th Streets between White Plains Road and Holland Avenue, Williamsbridge Gardens offers its residents a wide variety of amenities and services for low-income and formerly homeless households. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $26,229 for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $681/month one-bedrooms to $2,273/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

New map highlights NYC landmarks related to LGBTQ+ history

Image courtesy of the National Parks Conservation Association on Flickr

June 20, 2022

New map highlights NYC landmarks related to LGBTQ+ history

By Aaron Ginsburg

In celebration of Pride Month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission last week released an interactive story map that highlights important landmarks in New York City known for their significance within the LGBTQ+ community's cultural and civil rights movement. The project highlights seven individual landmarks throughout the city, including James Baldwin's Upper West Side apartment and the Stonewall Inn, one of the most important sites associated with LGBTQ+ history in the United States. The story map focuses solely on individual landmarks designated primarily for their LGBTQ+ significance, not just sites that have ties to individuals and groups.
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Work finally begins on Kushner’s One Journal Square project in Jersey City

All renderings courtesy of Kushner unless otherwise noted

June 17, 2022

Work finally begins on Kushner’s One Journal Square project in Jersey City

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction is finally underway at Kushner's huge One Journal Square project in Jersey City. The nearly $1 billion mixed-use development consists of two 710-foot-tall towers with more than 1,700 rentals and 45,000 square feet of amenities and public space, including a new Target location as its anchor tenant. The developer was joined by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Journal Square site on Thursday.
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177 mixed-income apartments available at 52-story Hudson Yards rental, from $1,399/month

Lyra, under construction in Hudson Yards. 2021. © Ondel Hylton

June 17, 2022

177 mixed-income apartments available at 52-story Hudson Yards rental, from $1,399/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 177 mixed-income units at a new residential skyscraper in Manhattan. Located at 555 West 38th Street in Hudson Yards, Lyra offers its residents thoughtfully crafted apartments and an unparalleled collection of amenities. New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $47,966 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,399/month studios to $3,397/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

NYC and NJ selected as host city for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Image courtesy of Anthony Quintano on Flickr

June 17, 2022

NYC and NJ selected as host city for 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Aaron Ginsburg

Soccer fans across New York and New Jersey celebrated on Thursday as FIFA announced that the region had been selected as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup. East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium will be host to one of the largest sporting events in the world, the first time the tournament has been held in the United States since 1994. The tournament will be hosted jointly by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
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Events & Things To Do

Take a break from the city at a private Catskills campsite for $119/night

Photo courtesy of Getaway

June 16, 2022

Take a break from the city at a private Catskills campsite for $119/night

By Aaron Ginsburg

Health and wellness hospitality company Getaway on Thursday announced a new amenity-packed lodging experience just two hours away from New York City. With Getaway Campgrounds, guests can reserve a private campsite complete with a pitched tent, bed linens, and modern bathrooms and amenities to ensure a relaxing and welcoming respite from the hectic city life. The full experience, complete with the tent and modern amenities, will cost you $119 per night. For those who would rather bring their own tent for a traditional camping experience, it's $79 per night.
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Getting Away

Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis

Photo courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 16, 2022

Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday finally released a plan to confront New York City's housing crisis. The plan, titled Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness, addresses the city's range of housing problems with a focus on reforming NYCHA, expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, creating more units of supportive and affordable housing, and eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers to housing for homeless New Yorkers. But unlike many of the affordable housing plans released in recent years, Adams' plan does not set a clear goal for the number of new affordable housing units created.
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NYC’s outdoor swim programs won’t return this summer due to ‘lifeguard shortage’

Photo by Danny Avila for NYC Parks

June 15, 2022

NYC’s outdoor swim programs won’t return this summer due to ‘lifeguard shortage’

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York City Parks Department on Tuesday announced that a number of the city's outdoor swim programs would not be returning for the summer season due to a "national shortage of lifeguards." Lap swim, senior swim, water aerobics, swim team and day camp, and Learn to Swim are among the programs that will not be returning for a third consecutive year.
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600-foot-tall luxury rental breaks ground in Downtown Brooklyn and beats 421-a deadline

The construction site in June 2022 © Ondel Hylton

June 15, 2022

600-foot-tall luxury rental breaks ground in Downtown Brooklyn and beats 421-a deadline

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction has officially begun on yet another new residential skyscraper in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 589 Fulton Street, The Brook is a 600-foot-tall luxury rental with 591 apartments and 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. Developed by Witkoff and Apollo and designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, the building broke ground just days before the 421-a tax abatement program expired, allowing developers to still cash in on the 35-year tax break.
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57 affordable units available at new South Bronx rental, from $522/month

Photo courtesy of Comunilife

June 7, 2022

57 affordable units available at new South Bronx rental, from $522/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 57 low-income units at a new residential building in the Bronx. Located at 3401 Third Avenue in Morrisania, the 10-story building, known as El Borinquen, is being developed by Comunilife, a non-profit that provides housing and health services to vulnerable residents. New Yorkers earning 40 and 60 percent of the area median income, or between $17,898 for a single person and $72,060 for a household of three, can apply for the apartments, which range from $522/month studios to $1,065 one-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

421-a tax break will continue to cost NYC revenue for decades after it expires, report finds

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

June 7, 2022

421-a tax break will continue to cost NYC revenue for decades after it expires, report finds

By Aaron Ginsburg

The 421-a tax abatement program, which gives real estate developers who construct new residential buildings a property tax exemption in exchange for designating a portion of the homes affordable, will expire on June 15 after state lawmakers last week did not renew it during the final day of this year's legislative session. Even with it set to lapse, the controversial program will continue to cost the city revenue for decades, according to a new report. According to findings published Monday by the Independent Budget Office of New York City, the tax abatement program will cost the city over $1 billion annually until 2034, with total costs not ceasing until the fiscal year 2056.
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Lottery launches for 53 affordable studios for seniors at former illegal Upper West Side hotel

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 3, 2022

Lottery launches for 53 affordable studios for seniors at former illegal Upper West Side hotel

By Aaron Ginsburg

A building that once operated as an illegal hotel and has been converted into affordable housing for seniors opened a lottery on Friday for 53 apartments. Located at 117 West 79th Street, Park 79 Apartments is a 100 percent affordable housing development with 77 rent-stabilized studio apartments for seniors earning at or below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), including 24 homes for formerly homeless New Yorkers. Residents, who must be aged 62 years or older to qualify, will pay only 30 percent of their income in rent.
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Affordable Housing

See NYC’s largest outdoor dance floor and its 10-foot disco ball at Lincoln Center

All photos courtesy of Chris Lee

June 3, 2022

See NYC’s largest outdoor dance floor and its 10-foot disco ball at Lincoln Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's largest outdoor dance floor is now open. As part of Lincoln Center's three-month-long festival Summer for the City, "The Oasis" opened this week with a 10-foot, 1,300-pound disco ball hovering above the institution's iconic fountain. Designed by costume and set designer Clint Ramos, The Oasis has transformed Josie Robertson Plaza into a dance floor that will host silent discos, live music, dance lessons, and more free events all summer. Summer for the City, which kicked off last month, will feature over 1,000 artists across 10 stages at the famed campus.
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Events & Things To Do

Mayor Adams proposes changes to city zoning rules to create more housing

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 2, 2022

Mayor Adams proposes changes to city zoning rules to create more housing

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams wants to turn New York into a city of "Yes in my backyard." During an event hosted by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY) on Wednesday, the mayor introduced three citywide zoning amendments that would spur affordable housing creation, support small businesses, and reduce the city's carbon footprint. Under Adam's "City of Yes" plan, the Zoning for Housing Opportunity amendment would allow for a variety of housing types, make it easier to convert office space into housing, and reduce "unnecessary parking requirements" at developments.
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