Policy

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

Photo by William Alatriste/NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

March 27, 2025

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

By Aaron Ginsburg

Scaffolding may soon have less of a ubiquitous presence in New York City. The City Council on Wednesday passed a series of bills reforming sidewalk shed rules to shorten how long the barriers can remain up and allow for new, more appealing designs. The city currently has over 8,400 sidewalk sheds that take up roughly 400 miles of sidewalk. On average, the structures remain in place for over 500 days; over 300 sheds have stood for over five years.
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Policy

Q70 bus service to LaGuardia Airport will get $160M upgrade

Credit: MTA

March 26, 2025

Q70 bus service to LaGuardia Airport will get $160M upgrade

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York has revealed a $160 million plan to fund the long-awaited expansion of bus service to and from LaGuardia Airport. Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday unveiled the proposed upgrades, which includes creating a bus-only lane, installing traffic signals that prioritize the Q70 bus, increasing service during peak hours, adding a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone at LGA, and improving lighting and signage, and more. Recommended by an expert panel in 2023, the proposal is an alternative to the controversial AirTrain, a 1.5-mile elevated rail line to the airport scrapped by the governor.
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Rising salt levels threaten NYC’s water supply

Credit: rdlimages on Flickr

March 26, 2025

Rising salt levels threaten NYC’s water supply

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's cherished tap water may taste saltier in the future. A study released by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Friday found that the salinity levels in the Croton reservoir system, which provides 10 percent of the city's water supply, have tripled over the past 30 years because of road salt runoff. If this trend continues unchecked, salinity levels are projected to exceed the state's maximum allowable limits by 2108, potentially forcing the city to abandon the reservoir.
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Policy

NYC’s congestion pricing raised $52M in February amid Trump pushback

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

March 25, 2025

NYC’s congestion pricing raised $52M in February amid Trump pushback

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's congestion pricing program brought in nearly $52 million in revenue last month, keeping it on track to reach its $500 million goal by the end of the year. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Monday released new data on the tolling system showing congestion pricing collected $51.9 million in revenue between February 1 and 28, about $3 million more than January. While the figures are promising, the program’s future remains uncertain due to ongoing tensions between New York State and the Trump administration, which ordered Gov. Kathy Hochul to shut it down.
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Forest Hills Stadium’s summer concerts at risk amid noise dispute

Photo by Pat at Juno on Flickr

March 24, 2025

Forest Hills Stadium’s summer concerts at risk amid noise dispute

By Aaron Ginsburg

This season’s concerts at Forest Hills Stadium are at risk of cancellation as tensions between local residents and venue officials escalate over ongoing noise complaints. According to an NYPD Legal Bureau letter, the stadium’s new sound amplification permits were denied last week after the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (FHGC) blocked the city from accessing the private roads surrounding the venue, as first reported by the New York Post. Unless FHGC and the West Side Tennis Club, which owns the historic stadium, reach an agreement on noise levels before the first scheduled concert on May 31, the shows will not go on.
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Trump administration delays congestion pricing deadline by a month

Credit: Zhen Yao on Unsplash

March 21, 2025

Trump administration delays congestion pricing deadline by a month

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Trump administration said it would give New York a 30-day extension on its deadline to end congestion pricing. A day before the original March 21 deadline, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the extension in a post on X, calling Gov. Kathy Hochul's refusal to end the tolling program "unacceptable." The governor and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have repeatedly defended the program and pledged to keep it running until a federal judge makes a ruling; the agency filed a lawsuit to protect the program last month.
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Proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex next to U.N. reveals waterfront public park

Renderings courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture

March 21, 2025

Proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex next to U.N. reveals waterfront public park

By Aaron Ginsburg

Newly released renderings offer a closer look at a public waterfront park planned alongside a proposed casino complex near the United Nations. Unveiled on Thursday, the new video and imagery showcase the nearly 5-acre public park planned as part of Soloviev Group's proposed Freedom Plaza casino project. Designed by OJB Landscape Architects, the green space would feature an 18,000-square-foot central lawn, 1.2 miles of accessible pathways, a children's play area, an amphitheater, scenic overlooks, and more.
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NYC’s plan to rezone Jamaica calls for 12,000 new homes

Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street. All images courtesy of DCP

March 20, 2025

NYC’s plan to rezone Jamaica calls for 12,000 new homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is moving forward with a new rezoning initiative that could bring more than 12,000 new homes to downtown Jamaica, Queens. On Thursday, the Department of City Planning (DCP) began the approval process for the plan, which looks to rezone about 300 blocks in the neighborhood to allow for thousands of new homes, including 4,000 units that would be income-restricted. If approved, the rezoning would create the city's largest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area, add two million square feet of commercial space, and generate more than 7,000 new jobs, according to the Queens Eagle.
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MTA to stop selling MetroCards by end of the year

Photo by Mr.TinMD on Flickr

March 20, 2025

MTA to stop selling MetroCards by end of the year

By Aaron Ginsburg

After more than three decades of service, the MetroCard is nearing its final ride. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the final day for MetroCard sales will be December 31, another step toward the full transition to the OMNY tap-and-go payment system. Retail partners, including bodegas and drugstores, will stop selling MetroCards this fall. Riders will still be able to pay with their MetroCards through 2026, with the MTA set to announce that end date at a later time.
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Atlantic Avenue rezoning approved by City Planning Commission

Atlantic Avenue and Bedford, looking west. 2023. Photo courtesy of NYC DCP

March 19, 2025

Atlantic Avenue rezoning approved by City Planning Commission

By Aaron Ginsburg

A plan to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and open space along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn is one step closer to becoming reality. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday voted to approve the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a rezoning that could bring 4,600 new homes, 1,440 of which would be permanently affordable, 2,800 permanent jobs, and various public realm enhancements to a 21-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue. The plan now moves to the City Council for a final vote.
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Popular Articles

Trump administration threatens to withhold MTA funds over transit safety

Credit: Jenna Day on Unsplash

March 19, 2025

Trump administration threatens to withhold MTA funds over transit safety

By Aaron Ginsburg

President Donald Trump's administration threatened to withhold federal funding for the New York City transit system unless the Metropolitan Transportation Authority submits a plan addressing transit safety. In a letter sent to the MTA on Tuesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Chair & CEO Janno Lieber to provide a detailed plan to reduce crime, combat violence against transit workers, minimize injuries and fatalities from suicide events and subway surfing, and address fare evasion. In response, transit officials pointed to publicly available data that shows major crimes trending down this year.
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MTA to host open houses for Interborough Express

Image courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

March 18, 2025

MTA to host open houses for Interborough Express

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers, here's your chance to learn more and ask questions about the Interborough Express (IBX) train line, a proposed project to connect Brooklyn and Queens by public transit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Friday that it will host open houses to share information and answer questions about the IBX project. The first open house takes place at the Queens Public Library in Ridgewood on March 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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NYC proposes allowing mopeds on Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges

Photo by Marcin Wichary on Flickr

March 17, 2025

NYC proposes allowing mopeds on Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges

By Aaron Ginsburg

Moped riders may soon be allowed to ride alongside cars on the Brooklyn Bridge and the lower level of the Queensboro Bridge. Under a proposed rule by the Department of Transportation, registered mopeds with license plates would be allowed on the Brooklyn and Queensboro Bridges. The ban would remain on Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, and the upper level of Queensboro. There is currently no legal route for mopeds to travel across the East River, as riders are prohibited from using the motor vehicle lanes and protected bike lanes on all roadways. As first reported by Streetsblog, the city hopes the rule change prevents conflicts between moped riders, pedestrians, and cyclists.
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NYC’s population bounces back after pandemic exodus

Photo by Abhi Verma on Unsplash

March 14, 2025

NYC’s population bounces back after pandemic exodus

By Aaron Ginsburg

Five years after the pandemic triggered an exodus from New York City, new census data shows the city's population is growing again. According to census data released this week, the city's population grew by 87,184 to 8.48 million people between July 2023 and July 2024, up from 8.39 million the previous year. All five boroughs gained residents, with Manhattan leading the way with a 1.7 percent increase in population.
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$8B Citi Field casino and park proposal gets zoning approval from NYC Council

Credit: SHoP Architects, Field Operations

March 14, 2025

$8B Citi Field casino and park proposal gets zoning approval from NYC Council

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's $8 billion casino proposal near Citi Field cleared a major hurdle this week. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 41-2 in favor of zoning changes for the Metropolitan Park development, a sports and entertainment complex planned for 50 acres of parking lots around the Mets stadium. While the approval grants Cohen and his partners the ability to make zoning changes on the site, which sits on city parkland, the project still requires approval from several local and state officials.
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Mayoral hopeful Lander proposes 50,000 new homes on NYC golf courses

Van Cortlandt Golf Course. Photo by Shannon McGee on Flickr

March 13, 2025

Mayoral hopeful Lander proposes 50,000 new homes on NYC golf courses

By Aaron Ginsburg

In a proposal likely to make golf lovers tee off, mayoral candidate Brad Lander wants to turn some of New York City's public golf courses into 50,000 new homes to tackle the housing crisis. The idea, included in the city comptroller's 36-page housing proposal released last week, is a key element of Lander’s vision to create 500,000 new homes across the five boroughs over the next decade, if elected mayor. In order to achieve these ambitious housing goals, Lander said he would declare a housing emergency to speed up construction and triple subsidies for affordable housing.
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NYC added 34,000 new homes in 2024: These neighborhoods built the most

Photo by Harry Gillen on Unsplash

March 12, 2025

NYC added 34,000 new homes in 2024: These neighborhoods built the most

By Devin Gannon

Nearly 34,000 new homes were completed in New York City in 2024, the most units in a single year since 1965. The increase in housing units, up over 6,000 units from last year, is driven by a surge of permits filed in 2022 before the 421-a tax incentive expired. The Department of City Planning this week released an update to its Housing Database with new tools highlighting housing production across the city. While the data reveals Brooklyn had the highest number of newly constructed units of all the boroughs, Long Island City in Queens led the city with 1,859 new building units in 2024.
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Penn Station proposal moves Madison Square Garden, calls for classical train hall

Renderings courtesy of the Grand Penn Community Alliance, unless noted otherwise

March 11, 2025

Penn Station proposal moves Madison Square Garden, calls for classical train hall

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new proposal for the long-stalled redesign of Penn Station would move Madison Square Garden across the street and replace the existing station with a new train hall reminiscent of the its original grandeur. Spearheaded by architect and former chief urban designer for New York City Alexandros Washburn, the "Grand Penn" plan would create a public space the size of Bryant Park and a commuter train hall inspired by the original station, while relocating the famous arena across the street. The plan now joins two stalled proposals, including one from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and another from a private developer.
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Redesign of Central Park drives will add space for pedestrians and cyclists

Photo by Dietmar Rabich on Wikimedia

March 10, 2025

Redesign of Central Park drives will add space for pedestrians and cyclists

By Aaron Ginsburg

The redesign of Central Park's six-mile loop road is moving forward, with repaving set to begin next week. On Thursday, city officials announced milling and repaving work will begin on Monday, March 17, to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and e-vehicle users along the route by clearly separating their spaces. The project will begin by revamping the middle and southern sections of the Central Park loop, from 96th Street on the West Drive to 90th Street on the East Drive, with repaving of the northern section scheduled for next year.
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NYC launches task force to improve public safety around Washington Square Park

Photo by Simi Iluyomade on Unsplash

March 10, 2025

NYC launches task force to improve public safety around Washington Square Park

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is deploying a multi-agency initiative to tackle quality of life and public safety concerns in Greenwich Village, the West Village, and near Washington Square Park. Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. on Thursday launched the "Village Interagency Task Force" to address issues like open drug use and sales, retail theft, and other quality of life concerns from West 3rd to West 9th Street, between Washington Square Park and 6th Avenue, including the area around the West 4th Street Washington Square subway station.
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Policy

NYC proposes wider bike lanes along 12 blocks of Sixth Avenue

A new, wider-bike lane segment installed in 2024 along Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. Credit: DOT

March 5, 2025

NYC proposes wider bike lanes along 12 blocks of Sixth Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

With vehicle traffic down since the start of congestion pricing, New York City is moving forward with plans to widen bike lanes along a roughly 12-block stretch of Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. During a presentation to Manhattan Community Board 5's transportation committee last week, the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled plans to upgrade the protected bike lane along Sixth Avenue from 14th Street to 35th Street. The proposal includes removing one lane of traffic to make space for a 10-foot-wide cycling lane, building on a project from last summer that widened the bike lanes from West 9th Street to West 13th Street.
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Open gangway subway cars debut on the G line

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

March 5, 2025

Open gangway subway cars debut on the G line

By Aaron Ginsburg

G train riders will now have a more pleasant commute, at least 15 percent of the time. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority debuted two open-gangway cars on the crosstown subway line, marking just the second line in the system to use the new R211T cars. Last February, the C line became the first open gangway train to operate in the United States.
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New York lawmaker proposes cameras to fine drivers who double park

Currently, the city has automated camera enforcement for bus lane blocking, running red lights, and speeding. Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

March 4, 2025

New York lawmaker proposes cameras to fine drivers who double park

By Aaron Ginsburg

A state lawmaker wants to crack down on double parking in New York City. Assembly Member Steven Raga, who represents parts of Queens, has proposed installing 150 cameras citywide that would automatically ticket drivers who double park or park illegally as part of a $35 million pilot program. As first reported by Gothamist, the cameras, which would be similar to those that catch drivers running red lights, speeding, and parking in bus lanes, would be placed in high-traffic areas where drivers frequently park in bike lanes, commercial loading zones, and no standing areas.
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NYC launches project to make historical records of enslaved people more accessible

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1902). “New York slave market about 1730.” Via New York Public Library Digital Collections.

February 28, 2025

NYC launches project to make historical records of enslaved people more accessible

By Aaron Ginsburg

The historical records of thousands of enslaved New Yorkers will be more easily accessible to the public through a new city project. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced a plan led by the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) to transcribe digitized historical records from 1660 to 1827, helping historians and New Yorkers locate records of enslaved people and potentially trace familial roots. The Adams administration is calling on volunteers to help transcribe the records and build the project's searchable database.
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Policy

Fair Fare riders can now tap-and-go on public transit with OMNY

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

February 27, 2025

Fair Fare riders can now tap-and-go on public transit with OMNY

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers enrolled in the city's half-priced transit fare program can now ditch their MetroCards and tap-and-go with ease. City officials on Wednesday announced that Fair Fares program participants can now order tap-and-go OMNY cards, offering half-off fare rates without the need to swipe. Enrollees will automatically be issued a discounted OMNY card, and those that are already in the program can request one through the city's website.
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