All articles by Devin Gannon

NYC’s ‘Open Culture’ program kicks off this weekend with outdoor performances

Mayor Bill de Blasio announces the opening of the Open Culture Program to allow live performances on designated streets. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 19, 2021

NYC’s ‘Open Culture’ program kicks off this weekend with outdoor performances

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More than 100 streets in New York can become stages under the city's Open Culture program that launched this month. Modeled after the Open Streets and Open Restaurant initiatives that close some streets to cars and let restaurants set up creative outdoor dining seating, this new permit type allows ticketed, socially distanced performances, rehearsals, classes, and workshops to take place on blocks in every borough. Mayor Bill de Blasio this week said the first three performances under the program would take place on Friday, with events in Mott Haven, Williamsburg, and Harlem.
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Design concept transforms shipping containers into outdoor stages for NYC

All images courtesy of Marvel

March 18, 2021

Design concept transforms shipping containers into outdoor stages for NYC

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As the weather warms up, so will New York City's arts and culture scene. The city's Open Culture program that allows institutions to put on ticketed shows and events kicked off this month, preceded by the state's NY PopsUp initiative, which promises to present over 300 unannounced concerts and performances statewide. Providing another way for New Yorkers to safely enjoy live performances again, architecture firm Marvel has developed a concept that converts portable shipping containers into stages for outdoor theatrical and musical productions.
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Plan for massive towers and public beach in Williamsburg moves ahead with new looks

All renderings courtesy of James Corner Field Operations and BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group

March 18, 2021

Plan for massive towers and public beach in Williamsburg moves ahead with new looks

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The proposal to construct two mixed-use skyscrapers and a public beach on the North Brooklyn waterfront is moving forward, although with an updated design, timeline, and name. As first reported by Brooklyn Paper, Two Trees Management is preparing to start the city's uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) in the coming weeks for its project "River Ring," which includes two huge towers designed by Bjarke Ingels with more than 1,000 units of housing, a YMCA, and an environmentally-conscious park with a cove and beach.
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Shakespeare in the Park will return to NYC this summer

The Delacorte Theater. Photo credit: Joseph Moran

March 16, 2021

Shakespeare in the Park will return to NYC this summer

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Bringing some much-needed sunshine on this dreary March day, the Public Theater on Tuesday announced plans to bring back its free Shakespeare in the Park program this summer. As first reported by the New York Times, the Theater is preparing to present just one production at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for an eight-week run beginning in July. The news comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month announced live performances and events could resume in New York as early as April 2.
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Radio City Music Hall is getting a rooftop park and skybridge

Rendering by G3 Architecture Interiors Planning; Courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

March 16, 2021

Radio City Music Hall is getting a rooftop park and skybridge

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A skybridge that leads to a landscaped rooftop park is coming to Radio City Music Hall. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans from G3 Architecture Interiors Planning and Tishman Speyer to construct a simple pedestrian bridge clad in statuary bronze that would connect the building at 1270 Avenue of the Americas to the planned roof garden atop the historic theater, which will be amenity space for Rockefeller Center tenants. Interconnected green terraces were part of the original architectural vision for the Rockefeller Center complex and this project, to be called Radio Park, will finally bring the plan to fruition.
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Brooklyn Municipal Building renamed after Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray deliver remarks at the renaming ceremony of the Brooklyn Municipal Building in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. March 15, 2021. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 16, 2021

Brooklyn Municipal Building renamed after Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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The Brooklyn Municipal Building on Monday was officially renamed after late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The idea to honor the Brooklyn native was introduced three years ago by Borough President Eric Adams, who launched a campaign in 2018 calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to sign off on the name change. Following Ginsburg's death in September, the mayor agreed to rename the building located at 210 Joralemon Street.
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New York City buys Downtown Brooklyn’s abolitionist rowhouse for $3.2M

Map data © 2020 Google

March 15, 2021

New York City buys Downtown Brooklyn’s abolitionist rowhouse for $3.2M

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New York City has officially purchased the property at 227 Duffield Street, a 19th-century rowhouse in Downtown Brooklyn recently designated as a landmark for its ties to the abolitionist movement. The Landmarks Preservation Commission last month granted landmark status to the home, occupied by known abolitionists Harriet and Thomas Truesdell from 1851 to 1863, after years of advocacy and a threat by a developer to raze it and build a mixed-use building in its place. First Lady Chirlane McCray, who has been a vocal advocate for the preservation of the site, announced the purchase during Mayor Bill de Blasio's briefing on Monday and said the deal ensures the property will be "protected and celebrated for a very long time."
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Soaring terraces and a hotel-like feel are on offer at new Upper East Side condo The Leyton

All renderings courtesy of Binyan Studios

March 15, 2021

Soaring terraces and a hotel-like feel are on offer at new Upper East Side condo The Leyton

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Sales have launched at a new condo tower on the Upper East Side that offers large, light-filled residences and hotel-inspired amenities. The Leyton, located at 1059 Third Avenue in the Lenox Hill neighborhood, contains 38 luxury homes, priced from $2.1 million for a one-bedroom to $11.6 million for a four-bedroom, along with a duplex penthouse with the price available upon request. Designed by former Rafael Viñoly architect Manuel Glas, the glass and stone tower features an Art Deco-inspired exterior with chic interiors from Frampton Co and distinctive amenity space by Champalimaud Design.
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Just 10% of Manhattan office employees have returned to the workplace

Via Creative Commons

March 12, 2021

Just 10% of Manhattan office employees have returned to the workplace

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Although New York City entered phase two of the state's reopening last June, which allowed offices to reopen to nonessential workers, just 10 percent of Manhattan office employees have returned to their workplace as of March. The Partnership for New York City this week released a survey of major employers to find out how long the borough's one million office workers will continue to work from home. According to the Partnership, employers expect less than half of their workers to return to the office by September.
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg statue unveiled in Downtown Brooklyn

Rendering courtesy of Gillie and Marc

March 12, 2021

Ruth Bader Ginsburg statue unveiled in Downtown Brooklyn

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A statue of late United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was unveiled in Downtown Brooklyn on Friday. Created by artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, the six-foot bronze statue is located inside the Flatbush Avenue entrance of the mixed-use development City Point. Visitors can "Stand with Ruth" and take photos with the statue, but a timed reservation is required to maintain social distancing, according to City Point.
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Lincoln Center marks anniversary of NYC’s first COVID death with memorial events

Courtesy of Lincoln Center

March 12, 2021

Lincoln Center marks anniversary of NYC’s first COVID death with memorial events

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To mark the anniversary of the first reported coronavirus death in New York City, the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts will host two memorial events this Sunday. At 12 p.m. on March 14, a virtual performance by the Young People's Chorus of New York City singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" will be available to view online. Later that evening, hundreds of candles will be lit around the Revson Fountain to honor the roughly 30,000 New Yorkers lost to the pandemic.
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100 new federal COVID-19 vaccine hubs to open in New York

Photo of NYCHA vaccination site at Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 11, 2021

100 new federal COVID-19 vaccine hubs to open in New York

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More than 100 new coronavirus vaccine hubs funded by the federal government will soon open in New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer announced on Thursday. During Mayor Bill de Blasio's daily press briefing, the Senate Majority Leader said additional vaccines will be sent directly to sites at existing community health centers (CHC) to "supercharge" the vaccination effort.
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The Shed reopens in Hudson Yards next month with live music and comedy shows

Caption: The Shed’s McCourt configured for “An Audience With…” live performance series. Photo: Jasdeep Kang

March 11, 2021

The Shed reopens in Hudson Yards next month with live music and comedy shows

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As spring returns to New York City, so does its arts and culture scene. The Shed, the Hudson Yards performance center with a distinct moveable shell, announced this week it will reopen with a five-night indoor performance series kicking off on April 2. Following state guidelines, the capacity will be limited to 150 people and all attendees must present confirmation of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours or vaccination completed at least two weeks before the event.
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Indoor dining capacity in NYC can increase to 50% on March 19

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

March 10, 2021

Indoor dining capacity in NYC can increase to 50% on March 19

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Restaurants in New York City will soon be able to serve more customers inside. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced capacity can increase from the current 35 percent to 50 percent starting March 19. The announcement comes about a month after indoor dining returned in the city following a two-month closure starting in December.
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Here’s how to celebrate Women’s History Month 2021 in NYC

Photo of Augusta Braxton Baker courtesy of NYPL Digital Collections

March 10, 2021

Here’s how to celebrate Women’s History Month 2021 in NYC

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Every March the nation celebrates the contributions and achievements of women in the United States. With the origins of Women's History Month, along with the suffrage movement itself, rooted in New York, the city is one of the best places to pay tribute to and learn more about the many trailblazing women who shaped the world as we know it. Although the pandemic has changed how we commemorate Women's History Month, many local organizations and groups are hosting virtual lectures, tours, and art exhibits, from a two-day online festival hosted by the Apollo Theater to a feminist tour of Harlem. Plus, the city's official tourism organization, NYC & Company, has put together an itinerary full of women-owned businesses and cultural sites related to women's history across the five boroughs to visit, found here.
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NYC hospital that administered first COVID vaccine dose in U.S. donates vial to the Smithsonian

Photo by Scott Heins/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

March 10, 2021

NYC hospital that administered first COVID vaccine dose in U.S. donates vial to the Smithsonian

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The morning of December 14 was historic for New York and the nation. Sandra Lindsay, an ICU nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, received the first coronavirus vaccine in the United States, marking the beginning of the end of this painful period. That moment will be preserved as part of a collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., which has acquired the empty vial of the first dose and other materials related to that day, including the ID badge and scrubs of Lindsay, officials announced on Tuesday.
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New Yorkers 60+, government and nonprofit employees eligible for COVID vaccine this month

A short-term mass vaccination site that utilizes the Johnson & Johnson vaccine opened at Marist College. Credit: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Flickr

March 9, 2021

New Yorkers 60+, government and nonprofit employees eligible for COVID vaccine this month

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The group of New Yorkers eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine will significantly expand this month. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced New Yorkers aged 60 years and older can sign up to receive the vaccine starting this Wednesday and public-facing government, non-profit, and building workers on March 17. Originally, New Yorkers aged 75 years and older were included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout along with healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff, but Cuomo agreed in January to lower the age prerequisite to 65 years and older.
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NYC’s live subway map now includes COVID-19 vaccination sites

Courtesy of the MTA

March 9, 2021

NYC’s live subway map now includes COVID-19 vaccination sites

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Coronavirus vaccination sites located across New York City have been added to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's digital subway map, helping straphangers find the easiest route to their appointments. The map, which launched last October and provides real-time service updates, now features a syringe icon that marks the location of vaccine hubs in every borough.
Details here
Affordable, no-fee luxury rentals in Midtown West

All photos courtesy of the Gotham Organization

March 9, 2021

Affordable, no-fee luxury rentals in Midtown West

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With its rooftop garden and courtyard, luxury residences, and prime Hell's Kitchen location, Gotham West ticks off all the boxes. What makes the four-building complex truly stand out against other amenity-rich developments, other than its proximity to both Hudson River Park and the culinary darlings of the neighborhood, is its affordable housing. When it opened in 2013, Gotham West was the largest affordable project by a private developer at the time, with about 55 percent of the units restricted by income. Today, applications are being accepted for its no-fee rentals, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, which are designated for middle-income New Yorkers earning up to 135 percent and 165 percent of the area median income (AMI).
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Domino Park unveils interactive art display that lights up when stepped on

Jen Lewin, Reflect at Domino Park, Brooklyn, March 2021. Drone footage by Demian Neufeld, Ryders Alley Media, and Matt Emmi. Edited by Joshua Pullar. Artwork (c) 2021 Jen Lewin

March 8, 2021

Domino Park unveils interactive art display that lights up when stepped on

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Months after Domino Park painted circles on the lawn to keep park-goers socially distanced, a different type of ring has appeared at the waterfront Williamsburg green space. The park last week unveiled Reflect, an interactive sculpture designed by artist Jen Lewin made up of three concentric rings that react to the steps of visitors. Each jump, skip, and dance on the circular platforms triggers a new flash of light, with many people able to engage with the display at once.
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230-year-old Connecticut farmstead with original 18th-century details asks $1.2M

All photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

March 5, 2021

230-year-old Connecticut farmstead with original 18th-century details asks $1.2M

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A charming 18th-century farmstead in Connecticut's Fairfield County is on the market for $1,150,000. Located on two private acres at 289 Nod Hill Road in Wilton, the property includes a four-bedroom main house, a barn, four additional detached structures, and a chicken coop. Built in 1790, the cozy home boasts some original details, including the historic hearth in the "keeping" room.
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Lottery opens for affordable units at new Passive House project in Ocean Hill, from $457/month

Photo of the Harry T. Nance Apartments, Courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

March 5, 2021

Lottery opens for affordable units at new Passive House project in Ocean Hill, from $457/month

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Applications are currently being accepted for 55 affordable apartments at a new sustainable development in Brooklyn's Ocean Hill neighborhood. The Harry T. Nance Apartments, located at 1860 Eastern Parkway, stands 10 stories and includes a new home for the True Holy Church. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms priced between $457/month and $1,485/month.
Find out if you qualify
NYC begins door-to-door COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound seniors

Photo of NYCHA vaccination site at Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 5, 2021

NYC begins door-to-door COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound seniors

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New York City on Thursday launched an effort to vaccinate homebound seniors by going door to door at select residential buildings. With this week's arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires a single shot and remains stable in a regular refrigerator, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the vaccine will "revolutionize" the city's fight against the coronavirus. Teams deployed by the FDNY started vaccinating seniors in Co-op City in the Bronx on Thursday and will move to Brighton Beach on Friday.
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New York seeks proposals for new hotel or mixed-use development across from Javits Center

Photo by Ajay Suresh on Wikimedia

March 4, 2021

New York seeks proposals for new hotel or mixed-use development across from Javits Center

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New York on Thursday issued a request for proposals for a Midtown West site located directly across from the Javits Center. Referred to as Site K, the parcel at 418 11th Avenue is one of the last remaining vacant lots in the area. In the RFP, the Empire State Development requests proposals that could be a commercial or mixed-use development, with interest made in hotels that are "complementary" to the neighboring convention center.
Details here
Lincoln Center campus will be transformed into 10 outdoor performance venues this spring

Illustration © Ceylan A. Sahin Eker

March 4, 2021

Lincoln Center campus will be transformed into 10 outdoor performance venues this spring

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The arts are making a major comeback in New York City this spring, with live performance venues permitted to reopen in early April. And one of the city's most beloved cultural institutions is leading the way. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts last week announced a new initiative that will transform its 16-acre campus into 10 new outdoor performance venues. Launching on April 7, "Restart Stages" will feature free and low-cost events by cultural organizations and community partners hailing from all five boroughs, in addition to Lincoln Center's resident companies.
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