All articles by Devin Gannon

May 18, 2020

NYC drive-in festival to open near Yankee Stadium this summer

A drive-in festival with live performances, movies, and local food vendors is set to open near Yankee Stadium this summer, offering New Yorkers a way to have fun without violating social distancing rules. From the event planners who put on the Bronx Night Market and the Bronx Beer Fest, the "Uptown Drive-In Experience" is slated to open in July as a "social distancing playground," according to the organizers.
More here

Events & Things To Do

15 chances to live in a new Bed-Stuy rental, from $2,204/month

Photo of Bed-Stuy by Andre Carrotflower on Flickr

May 15, 2020

15 chances to live in a new Bed-Stuy rental, from $2,204/month

By Devin Gannon

Fifteen newly constructed apartments in Bed-Stuy are now available through the city's affordable housing lottery, priced slightly below market-rate. Located at 325 Gates Avenue, the six-floor rental sits off bustling Bedford Avenue and just a few blocks from the G train on Lafayette Avenue. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $2,204/month studios, $2,314/month one-bedrooms, and $2,792/month two-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

NYC will limit access to Central Park’s Sheep Meadow this weekend

Photo of Sheep Meadow on May 4, 2020 © 6sqft

May 15, 2020

NYC will limit access to Central Park’s Sheep Meadow this weekend

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said police will limit access to parts of some parks, as well as deploy additional Parks Department officials to patrol city beaches this weekend, with temperatures expected to be in the 70s. The NYPD will restrict the number of people allowed to enter the Sheep Meadow lawn in Central Park to avoid overcrowding and curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. And police will again limit access to Piers 45 and 46 at Hudson River Park in the West Village and monitor crowds at Domino Park in Williamsburg for the second weekend in a row.
Details this way

Policy

A diner in Astoria has transformed into a pop-up drive-in

Photo courtesy of The Bel Aire Diner

May 15, 2020

A diner in Astoria has transformed into a pop-up drive-in

By Devin Gannon

A retro diner in Queens has transformed its parking lot into a drive-in movie theater, giving New Yorkers a way to be entertained safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The Bel Aire Diner, located at Broadway and 21st Street, set up a 25-foot outdoor projection screen in its lot that has enough space for 40 cars. After successful first showings of "Grease" and "Dirty Dancing," the diner plans to keep the movie nights going, possibly with multiple showings per week.
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Events & Things To Do

Apply for 21 middle-income apartments in Bushwick, from $1,899/month

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

May 15, 2020

Apply for 21 middle-income apartments in Bushwick, from $1,899/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 21 middle-income apartments at a brand new building in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood. The five-story rental at 93 Linden Street sits between artsy Bushwick and Wilson Avenues, thoroughfares that are dotted with hip bars and restaurants. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $1,899/month studios, $1,999/month one-bedrooms, and $2,350/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

Photo of Asbury Park, NJ via Wikimedia Commons

May 14, 2020

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

By Devin Gannon

Beaches and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore will open in time for Memorial Day, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. Effective May 22, all public and private beaches and lakeside areas can open in the state, but with capacity limits and social distancing measures in place.
Get the details

Policy

David Chang permanently closes Momofuku Nishi in Chelsea, relocates Ssäm Bar to Seaport District

Photo of Momofuku Ssam Bar by City Foodsters on Flickr

May 14, 2020

David Chang permanently closes Momofuku Nishi in Chelsea, relocates Ssäm Bar to Seaport District

By Devin Gannon

No restaurant in New York City is immune to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with even restauranteur David Chang's acclaimed Momofuku empire affected. The company announced that its restaurant Nishi in Chelsea will not reopen and Momofuku Ssäm Bar in the East Village will move to Bar Wayo at South Street Seaport to consolidate the teams. Momofuku CCDC in Washington D.C. will also permanently close, in light of COVID-19.
Learn more

Food & Dining

Connecticut will reopen restaurants, hair salons next week

Photo of West Hartford by Ragesoss on Wikimedia

May 14, 2020

Connecticut will reopen restaurants, hair salons next week

By Devin Gannon

Connecticut restaurants, offices, hair salons, museums, and retail stores can open next week as part of the state's first reopening phase--but expect things to look a little different. To be able to open on May 20, eligible businesses must follow strict rules, which include outdoor only service for restaurants and museums, capacity limits, facemask requirements, and restriction of social gatherings to five people. Connecticut's decision comes as New Jersey will start to open on Monday and some upstate regions of New York get ready to reopen this weekend.
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Policy

A guide to food pantries and meal assistance in NYC

The Campaign Against Hunger food pantry in Brooklyn. Photo Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 13, 2020

A guide to food pantries and meal assistance in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Before the coronavirus pandemic, 1.2 million residents in New York City faced food insecurity. Now, with hundreds of thousands out of work, the number of hungry New Yorkers could double. A Siena College poll released last month found 49 percent of New York City residents were concerned about being able to afford food during the crisis. While city and state policies have been introduced to get food to residents, local community groups, nonprofits, and senior centers have also stepped up in this time of crisis to provide free food to those in need. Ahead, learn where to find free food, how to get meals delivered, and how to apply to food assistance programs, as well as the many NYC organizations currently in need of volunteers and donations.
Resources this way

Policy

NYC Council votes to temporarily cap restaurant delivery app fees

Photo by Patrick Connor Klopf on Unsplash

May 13, 2020

NYC Council votes to temporarily cap restaurant delivery app fees

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council on Wednesday passed legislation that temporarily caps the commission third-party delivery services are allowed to charge restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill sponsored by Council Member Francisco Moya restricts commission fees charged by apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats at 20 percent during any state of emergency and 90 days following. The legislation comes as the city's restaurants struggle to survive during COVID-19, with the state's "pause order" forcing businesses to rely on take-out and delivery orders.
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NYC ramps up COVID-19 contact tracing effort, will hire 2,500 tracers by June

By Devin Gannon

The city plans to hire about 2,500 contact tracers by next month in an effort to track and stop the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday. The citywide effort involves finding close contacts of someone who tested positive for the virus, and then interviewing and testing them. According to the mayor, the city has received 7,000 applications for contact tracing positions and more than 500 are currently undergoing training.
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Policy

Lottery for 100-name waitlist opens at two rentals near the Brooklyn Museum, from $701/month

Photo of the Brooklyn Museum by Howard Brier on Flickr

May 12, 2020

Lottery for 100-name waitlist opens at two rentals near the Brooklyn Museum, from $701/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched on Tuesday to replenish a 100-name waitlist for income-restricted units at two rental buildings in Brooklyn. Located at 816 Washington Avenue and 615 Sterling Place, the buildings straddle the neighborhoods of Prospect Heights and Crown Heights, just a short walk from the Brooklyn Museum and the Botanic Garden. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $701/month studios to $3,943/month four-bedrooms. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected and placed on the waitlist for future vacancies.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 300-name waitlist for apartments across Brooklyn’s brownstone belt

Photo by Matthew Rutledge on Flickr

May 11, 2020

Lottery opens for 300-name waitlist for apartments across Brooklyn’s brownstone belt

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched this week for placement on a 300-name waitlist for apartments at half a dozen income-restricted buildings in Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, and Park Slope. New Yorkers earning 80 and 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from an $850/month studio to a $2,371/month one-bedroom. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected and placed on the waitlist for future vacancies.
How to apply

Affordable Housing

NYC to deploy 1,000+ additional ‘social-distancing ambassadors’ after racial disparity in summonses

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

May 11, 2020

NYC to deploy 1,000+ additional ‘social-distancing ambassadors’ after racial disparity in summonses

By Devin Gannon

Roughly 2,300 city employees will be dispatched across the five boroughs to enforce social distancing rules, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday. The so-called "social distancing ambassadors" will be stationed in public places to remind people to keep six feet from others and to hand out free face coverings. The mayor said New Yorkers have overwhelmingly done the right thing throughout the current health crisis, but reminders and enforcement are still needed. "We still need the ability to enforce these rules when needed and only when needed," de Blasio said during a press briefing.
Details here

Policy

19 middle-income units up for grabs in charming Clinton Hill, from $2,228/month

Photo courtesy of CityRealty

May 11, 2020

19 middle-income units up for grabs in charming Clinton Hill, from $2,228/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are currently being accepted for 19 middle-income units at a new rental building in Brooklyn. Located a few blocks from the Barclays Center and the many restaurants and bars that sit on the border of Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill, 555 Waverly Avenue is an eight-story building with 190 total units. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $2,228/month studios, $2,346/month one-bedrooms, and $2,830/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

NYPL’s famous marble lions mark 109th birthday with a virtual party

Courtesy of NYPL

May 8, 2020

NYPL’s famous marble lions mark 109th birthday with a virtual party

By Devin Gannon

The New York Public Library's historic marble lions turn 109 on May 11 and New Yorkers are invited to their rip-roaring celebration. Carved by the Piccirilli Brothers in 1911, Patience and Fortitude have long guarded the library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue. From a special storytime to lion-curated book lists, the activities highlight the lions' role as symbols of New York's resilience.
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Events & Things To Do

150 spots open on waitlist for units at waterfront complex in Kips Bay, from $2,092/month

Photo of Waterside Plaza via Wikimedia

May 8, 2020

150 spots open on waitlist for units at waterfront complex in Kips Bay, from $2,092/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are currently being accepted to replenish a 150-name waitlist for middle-income units at the Waterside Plaza complex in Kips Bay. The four-tower, 1,400-unit development sits next to the East River and runs between East 26th and East 29th Streets. New Yorkers earning 130 and 160 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from a $2,092/month studio to a $3,664/month three-bedroom.
How to apply

Affordable Housing

East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

Photo by Alex Lozupone on Wiki Commons

May 8, 2020

East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

By Devin Gannon

A fixture on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue in the East Village for 100 years, Gem Spa has permanently closed. The store, considered home to New York's best egg cream, had been struggling financially due to the gentrification of the neighborhood, as well as the loss of its cigarette and lottery licenses last year. While a fundraising effort launched last fall by current owner Parul Patel helped temporarily, the coronavirus pandemic "ultimately sealed the fate" of the institution.
Details this way

City Living

NYC to limit capacity at Hudson River Park and Domino Park after crowd issues

A photo of Pier 45 from 2016; Photo by Paul Sableman on Flickr

May 8, 2020

NYC to limit capacity at Hudson River Park and Domino Park after crowd issues

By Devin Gannon

The city will limit the number of people allowed in Hudson River Park in Manhattan and Domino Park in Brooklyn to prevent overcrowding. "We know we had some parks last weekend that were more crowded than they should have been," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press briefing on Friday. The news comes after a photo of a packed Christopher Street Pier, showing no visitors wearing masks, went viral last Saturday on Twitter.
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Policy

‘Save a seat’ fund gives free Broadway tickets to frontline workers

Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash

May 7, 2020

‘Save a seat’ fund gives free Broadway tickets to frontline workers

By Devin Gannon

An initiative launched this week to donate free Broadway show tickets to frontline workers. As first reported by Variety, the ticket website TodayTix has started the "Save a Seat" fund to reserve the best seats at shows for essential workers when theater returns following the coronavirus pandemic. The site has also rebranded as TommorrowTix, to give artists and theater lovers something to look forward to during this difficult time.
Learn more

Cuomo extends New York eviction freeze through August 20, bans late fees

Photo by Anthony Fomin on Unsplash

May 7, 2020

Cuomo extends New York eviction freeze through August 20, bans late fees

By Devin Gannon

The moratorium on residential and commercial evictions will be extended statewide by 60 days until August 20, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday. Additional rent relief measures include a ban on fees for late-payments and allowing renters to use security deposits as payment. "I don't want to see people and their children being evicted at this time, through no fault of their own," the governor said during a press briefing.
Get the details

City to offer 140K free antibody tests to NYC residents

Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 7, 2020

City to offer 140K free antibody tests to NYC residents

By Devin Gannon

The city will offer 140,000 free antibody tests to "everyday New Yorkers" in the coming weeks to help understand the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday. In partnership with BioReference Laboratories, the city will open initial testing sites in five neighborhoods with the goal of 1,000 tests per site per day. An additional 140,000 tests will also be available for the city's first responders and health care workers next week.
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Policy

See the immersive art museum proposed for a landmarked Lower Manhattan bank hall

Rendering of proposed exhibition space by Culturespaces/ Woods Bagot, courtesy of LPC

May 6, 2020

See the immersive art museum proposed for a landmarked Lower Manhattan bank hall

By Devin Gannon

An art center with immersive art exhibitions has been proposed for a landmarked former banking hall in Lower Manhattan. Culturespaces, a French museum operator, presented its plan to adapt the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank into a center of digital art to the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday. The design proposal from Woods Bagot Architects includes alterations to the landmarked interior to accommodate a ticketing area and necessary audiovisual equipment for the art center, as well as modifications to the exterior of the building.
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NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

May 6, 2020

NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

By Devin Gannon

The city will distribute 7.5 million free face coverings to New Yorkers in parks, grocery stores, public housing, and near transit, ramping up an earlier effort launched last week. During a press briefing on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said "wherever you turn, you're going to be offered a face covering," over the next few weeks. Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring New Yorkers to wear a face mask or face-covering in public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
Find out where to get a free mask

All articles by Devin Gannon

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