All articles by Devin Gannon

What you need to know about the May 1 rent strike

Photo by Avi Werde on Unsplash

April 30, 2020

What you need to know about the May 1 rent strike

By Devin Gannon

With more than a million New Yorkers out of work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many tenants will struggle to pay rent on Friday. Hoping to pressure Gov. Andrew Cuomo to cancel rent for the duration of the health crisis, a coalition of housing advocates is leading a statewide rent strike on May 1, with thousands of renters already pledging to skip payments. But landlords, who argue rental income pays for the growing costs of building maintenance, are fighting for relief themselves.
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Here are the real estate leaders tapped for Cuomo’s NY reopening advisory board

Photo by Mike Groll for the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Flickr

April 29, 2020

Here are the real estate leaders tapped for Cuomo’s NY reopening advisory board

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the creation of an advisory board of business professionals and community leaders to guide the state's reopening strategy. The 100-person "New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board" includes members from a mix of industries, including a number of real estate leaders and developers. The board is part of a 12-point plan to reopen the state on a region-by-region basis.
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Policy

Rockefeller Center revamp gets Landmarks approval

Rendering by Gabellini Sheppard Associates courtesy of Tishman Speyer; via Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 28, 2020

Rockefeller Center revamp gets Landmarks approval

By Devin Gannon

A proposal to renovate Rockefeller Center's public realm was approved on Tuesday by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Led by Tishman Speyer and designed by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, the project aims to restore the connection between the concourse and the sunken plaza, an element included in the original plans for the historic Midtown site. The design, which was revised following a public hearing in January, focuses on the pools of the channel gardens, the sunken plaza, and new seating and planting to maintain the plaza's well-defined edges.
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Construction resumes at controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue tower

Rendering courtesy of Binyan Studios

April 27, 2020

Construction resumes at controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue tower

By Devin Gannon

Construction resumed last week at a condo project on the Upper West Side two weeks after its developer halted all work in response to the state-ordered ban on non-essential projects in March. The city's Department of Buildings granted SJP Properties construction permits for the tower at 200 Amsterdam Avenue for emergency work, as THE CITY first reported, much to the frustration of some local residents and officials.
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Plan approved to convert Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel in Dumbo into 500-unit affordable complex

90 Sands Street from Brooklyn Bridge; Courtesy of Breaking Ground

April 27, 2020

Plan approved to convert Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel in Dumbo into 500-unit affordable complex

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council last week voted to approve plans to convert a Brooklyn hotel formerly owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses into an affordable housing complex with 508 units. Developed by nonprofit Breaking Ground, the project at 90 Sands Street in Dumbo sets aside 305 apartments for formerly homeless New Yorkers, with the remaining 203 rentals priced below market-rate. Breaking Ground plans to renovate the existing 29-story building and add a public plaza along Jay Street.
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Affordable Housing

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to fly over NYC to honor essential workers

Six F-16 Fighting Falcons flying over NYC in 2005; U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean Mateo White on Flickr

April 27, 2020

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to fly over NYC to honor essential workers

By Devin Gannon

The United States Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds will fly over parts of New York City on Tuesday to honor coronavirus essential personnel. The 40-minute joint flyover is part of the mission "Operation America Strong," announced by President Donald Trump last week, as the Washington Post first reported. The performance will happen across parts of the city and Newark starting at noon on April 28 and then move onto Trenton and Philadelphia.
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NYC to open up to 100 miles of streets for pedestrians

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/ Flickr

April 27, 2020

NYC to open up to 100 miles of streets for pedestrians

By Devin Gannon

The city will open 40 miles of streets for pedestrians over the next month with the goal of opening up to 100 miles for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. During a press briefing, the mayor said an agreement had been reached with the City Council, which had introduced "open streets" legislation last week and planned to move forward with or without City Hall approval. The plan also includes adding temporary protected bike lanes and expanding some sidewalks.
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Celebrate NYC neighborhoods virtually with Jane’s Walk (from Home)

Courtesy of MAS

April 24, 2020

Celebrate NYC neighborhoods virtually with Jane’s Walk (from Home)

By Devin Gannon

One of New York City's greatest annual events is going virtual. Jane's Walk honors urbanist Jane Jacobs with free volunteer-led walking tours across the city for one weekend every year. Adapting to the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, the Municipal Art Society (MAS) announced this week plans to host virtual activities that still celebrate the five boroughs, but safely from home.
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Coney Island nonprofit launches virtual face mask design contest

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

April 24, 2020

Coney Island nonprofit launches virtual face mask design contest

By Devin Gannon

With the Mermaid Parade officially canceled, the Coney Island nonprofit behind the event is hoping to celebrate creativity in another way this year. Coney Island USA announced on Friday plans to host a "Put on a Funny Face Design Contest," described as the "world's first-ever mask design contest." The virtual contest is being presented by Spectrum News NY1 and will be judged by yet-to-be-announced celebrities of Coney Island.
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Rent Guidelines Board recommends increases between 2.5% and 3.5% for rent-stabilized units

Photo by Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash

April 24, 2020

Rent Guidelines Board recommends increases between 2.5% and 3.5% for rent-stabilized units

By Devin Gannon

A report released on Thursday by the Rent Guidelines Board recommends a rent increase on rent-stabilized apartments to mitigate a surge in operating costs for owners. During the board's first virtual meeting, members reviewed the report, which says rent increases should be between 2.5 and 3.5 percent for one-year leases and 3.3 and 6.75 percent for two-year leases. The recommendation comes as officials and tenant advocacy groups have called for a rent freeze during the coronavirus pandemic, which has put thousands of New Yorkers out of work.
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Policy

Popular Articles

110 affordable apartments for seniors available at new South Jamaica rental

Photo of nearby Baisley Pond Park by Rich Mitchell via Flickr cc

April 23, 2020

110 affordable apartments for seniors available at new South Jamaica rental

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched on Thursday for 110 affordable senior apartments in the Queens neighborhood of Jamaica. The 10-story building located at 161-11 132nd Avenue sits next to existing low-income senior apartments and contains 100 one-bedrooms and 58 studios. To apply, New Yorkers must be–or have at least one household member who is– 62 years of age or older, qualify for Section 8 benefits, and earn $51, 200 or less, annually.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Queens lawmaker wants to create second tier of ‘essential workers’

Photo by Thomas Loizeau on Unsplash

April 23, 2020

Queens lawmaker wants to create second tier of ‘essential workers’

By Devin Gannon

A Queens lawmaker introduced legislation this month to broaden the definition of "essential worker" to include a second tier of employees, including child care providers, educators, food delivery workers, and more. The bill sponsored by State Sen. Jessica Ramos creates of a new category of workers considered essential during a state of emergency in order to provide assistance and benefits to those on the frontlines of the current health crisis.
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Policy

Most NYC sidewalks are too narrow for proper social distancing

Photo by Enrique Alarcon on Unsplash

April 23, 2020

Most NYC sidewalks are too narrow for proper social distancing

By Devin Gannon

In a dense city like New York, social distancing is no easy task. Garbage piles, sidewalk sheds, and people make it hard to maintain six feet from others, the recommended distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A new interactive map created by urban planner Meli Harvey shows the width of each sidewalk in the city, with the most narrow highlighted in red and the widest in blue. As expected, there's a lot of red on the map.
Explore the map here

City Living

De Blasio announces more testing and supplies for NYCHA residents, support for seniors

Photo of the Alfred E. Smith Houses by Ken Lund on Flickr

April 22, 2020

De Blasio announces more testing and supplies for NYCHA residents, support for seniors

By Devin Gannon

Six new coronavirus testing sites with a priority for residents of the city's public housing system will open starting this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. Community testing sites will open on Friday in Fort Greene, Mott Haven, and on the Lower East Side, with three additional sites opening next week at New York City Housing Authority buildings, including Jonathan Williams Houses, Woodside Houses, and St. Nicholas Houses. The news comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this week a pilot program to bring on-site health services and more testing to NYCHA residents, beginning with eight developments across the five boroughs.
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Policy

See the giant heart design on Bryant Park’s lawn

Photo by Jane Kratochvil for Bryant Park Corp.

April 22, 2020

See the giant heart design on Bryant Park’s lawn

By Devin Gannon

A giant heart was mowed into Bryant Park's lawn this week as a message of support for the city's healthcare personnel and essential workers. The park, which recently transformed its Winter Village ice skating rink into its famed lawn, will reopen its green space to the public in early May. Social distancing regulations will be in effect, according to the Bryant Park Corporation.
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LPC approves design for condo conversion at 120-year-old Hotel Wales

Rendering of the proposed cornice at Hotel Wales by Form4Design Studio and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, LLC; via LPC

April 22, 2020

LPC approves design for condo conversion at 120-year-old Hotel Wales

By Devin Gannon

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans to retrofit Carnegie Hill's historic Hotel Wales, which is set to be converted into luxury condominiums. The proposal from Form4 Design Studio and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners retains the hotel's Beaux-Arts facade, terra cotta elements, and scroll-bracketed balconies, as CityRealty reported. But the biggest alteration planned for the Carnegie Hill Historic District building is the new cornice and rooftop addition, the design of which the LPC on Tuesday said needs to be modified.
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Personal assistant app Hello Alfred offers guaranteed delivery service in NYC for $25/week

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels

April 21, 2020

Personal assistant app Hello Alfred offers guaranteed delivery service in NYC for $25/week

By Devin Gannon

As New Yorkers look to avoid in-person grocery shopping amid the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for delivery services has exploded across the city. Hoping to provide an alternative to the currently overwhelmed system, Hello Alfred, a company that provides a digital personal assistant for city dwellers, has launched a new delivery service for $25 per week for out-of-network users, as Eater NY first reported.
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City Living

Coogan’s in Washington Heights closes after 35 years

Coogan’s Restaurant in Washington Heights, via CityRealty

April 21, 2020

Coogan’s in Washington Heights closes after 35 years

By Devin Gannon

An iconic Irish pub is closing its doors after 35 years in Washington Heights because of the coronavirus pandemic. The owners of Coogan's restaurant and bar, located on Broadway between 168th and 169th Streets, announced on Monday "a fond farewell" in a Facebook post. "Ironically, this past March 17 would be the last time Coogan's closed its doors," owners Dave Hunt, Tess O'Connor McDade, and Peter Walsh wrote. "We had hoped to open them again but sadly that is not possible."
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Food & Dining

Cuomo to expand COVID-19 testing at NYC public housing

Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City is one of the NYCHA developments to get testing services; Photo via Wikimedia

April 20, 2020

Cuomo to expand COVID-19 testing at NYC public housing

By Devin Gannon

A pilot program to bring on-site health services and expanded COVID-19 testing to residents of New York City's public housing will roll out this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. The news follows preliminary data released by the city and state earlier this month that shows minority and low-income communities are facing disproportionate rates of infection and death from the coronavirus. "People in public housing always seem to pay the highest prices," the governor said on Monday.
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Policy

7 things you didn’t know about Central Park

April 20, 2020

7 things you didn’t know about Central Park

By Devin Gannon

Although it's one of the most visited city parks in the world, Central Park is chock-full of hidden spots and historic treasures that even native New Yorkers don't know about. Designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the 840-acre park has served as an oasis for city dwellers for over 150 years. Ahead, learn about some of Central Park's lesser-known sites, from its waterfalls and whisper bench to a Revolutionary War-era cannon.
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Uncategorized

255 affordable apartments available in Grand Concourse Historic District, from $331/month

Photo via Wikimedia

April 20, 2020

255 affordable apartments available in Grand Concourse Historic District, from $331/month

By Devin Gannon

More than 250 affordable and middle-income apartments are up for grabs at a three-building development in the South Bronx. The rentals, found at 741 Concourse Village West, 702 Grand Concourse, and 180 East 156th Street, are located within the Grand Concourse Historic District and next to Franz Sigel Park. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between 30 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which start at $331/month studios and go up to $2,406/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

New York tenant groups call for mass rent strike

Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash

April 17, 2020

New York tenant groups call for mass rent strike

By Devin Gannon

A coalition of housing and tenant advocacy groups is calling for a statewide rent strike on May 1 with the goal of pressuring Gov. Andrew Cuomo to cancel rent for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Led by the Upstate Downstate Housing Alliance, the coordinated protest is seeking cancellation of rents for at least four months, a freeze on rent for every tenant, and a plan to house homeless New Yorkers.
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Lions, tigers, & bears, oh my! The Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium go virtual

Screenshot of feeding time at the aquatic bird house via Bronx Zoo

April 17, 2020

Lions, tigers, & bears, oh my! The Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium go virtual

By Devin Gannon

Looking for a new show to stream? The Wildlife Conservation Society is bringing animals of the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium to your living room through live cams, as Gothamist first spotted. Check in with your favorite creatures, from lemurs and little blue penguins to sharks and giant octopi.
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City Living

55 years and 37,000 designations later, Landmarks releases anniversary story map

Photo by Cody Nottingham on Unsplash

April 17, 2020

55 years and 37,000 designations later, Landmarks releases anniversary story map

By Devin Gannon

Just a few years after the demolition of the original Penn Station, the city founded the Landmarks Preservation Commission, in part, to make sure beautiful historic buildings were never destroyed again. When Mayor Robert Wagner signed the Landmarks Law on April 19, 1965, the commission was officially tasked with protecting sites that represent New York's history and culture. During its 55 years in existence, the LPC has designated more than 37,000 buildings and sites. In honor of this anniversary, the commission this week released an interactive story map highlighting its work over the last five decades, from its first individual landmark, the Claesen Wyckoff House, to its first LGBT designation, the Stonewall Inn.
Explore the map

NYC Council wants to open up to 75 miles of streets for pedestrians during COVID-19

The city’s “Summer Streets” program in 2019; Photo of NYC DOT on Flickr

April 17, 2020

NYC Council wants to open up to 75 miles of streets for pedestrians during COVID-19

By Devin Gannon

Up to 75 miles of city streets could soon be closed to cars under new legislation set to be introduced by the City Council next week. Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Carlina Rivera on Friday announced a proposal to open streets to pedestrians and cyclists during the coronavirus pandemic to allow for proper social distancing. The plan comes after Mayor Bill de Blasio launched an open-streets pilot last month, only to end the program 10 days later.
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Policy

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