Policy

NYC unveils proposals to turn dreary areas under the BQE into vibrant public spaces

Rendering of a proposed e-bike charging and storage hub for delivery workers. All rendering courtesy of NYC DOT

October 10, 2024

NYC unveils proposals to turn dreary areas under the BQE into vibrant public spaces

By Aaron Ginsburg

Decrepit, drab spaces beneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway could soon be transformed into vibrant public areas. The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday published a report with proposals to convert a space under the BQE at Park Avenue in Fort Greene into an e-bike charging and storage station for delivery workers and to redesign a congested intersection at West 9th Street to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The report also proposed capping trenched sections of the BQE in Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, and Bay Ridge to create parks and public spaces above the expressway.
Learn more

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter in February

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 10, 2024

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter in February

By Aaron Ginsburg

The migrant shelter on Randall's Island that once housed 3,000 adults will close early next year as the number of asylum seekers arriving in New York City declines. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced the humanitarian relief center will shut down at the end of February, following a 14-week decline in the number of migrants living in city shelters, which is now at its lowest point in over a year. In the coming months, the city will gradually reduce the center’s population and begin restoring the island’s athletic fields and parkland.
Find out more

Policy

NYC Council to host hearings on ‘City of Yes’ housing plan

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

October 9, 2024

NYC Council to host hearings on ‘City of Yes’ housing plan

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council will host two hearings on Mayor Eric Adams' City of Yes housing proposal this month before it heads to a final vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams announced the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will hold two days of public meetings: October 21 reserved for testimony from City Hall officials and October 22 for public testimony. The speaker also said the Council will put forward its own "thorough housing action plan" that will consider "holistic solutions" in addition to zoning changes.
HOW TO SIGN UP

Policy

NYC unveils rules for 485-x tax break, office-to-residential incentive

Credit: Bex Walton on Flickr

October 8, 2024

NYC unveils rules for 485-x tax break, office-to-residential incentive

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Monday released proposed rules for 485-x, the tax exemption that replaced 421-a, and the new 467-m incentive for converting offices into housing. The proposals must be finalized before HPD can approve applications for both programs, The Real Deal reported.
find out more

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know

Credit: Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

October 7, 2024

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know

By Aaron Ginsburg

CLANK, CLANK, CLANK—your radiator's noisy signal that heat season has arrived in New York City. From October 1 to May 31, landlords across NYC are legally required to maintain safe temperatures for tenants. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about your rights to keep warm this winter.
Find out more

NYC’s curbside compost program expands to all five boroughs

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 7, 2024

NYC’s curbside compost program expands to all five boroughs

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's compost program is now underway in all five boroughs. On Sunday, curbside compost collection began in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, requiring buildings with four or more units to provide storage areas and labeled bins for yard and food waste collection by Department of Sanitation workers. The program’s final expansion follows its success in Queens and Brooklyn and aims to prevent rat infestations while promoting sustainability.
learn more

Policy

100+ NYC streets will go car-free for fun Halloween activities

Credit: NYC DOT

October 4, 2024

100+ NYC streets will go car-free for fun Halloween activities

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's Halloween open streets program returns for its biggest year yet, featuring over 100 participating locations. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the "Trick-or Streets" initiative, which closes streets, plazas, and other commercial corridors across the five boroughs to cars to provide space for fun, spooky-themed activities throughout October.
READ MORE

NYC restores original ‘road diet’ plan for McGuinness Boulevard

McGuinness Boulevard. Courtesy of NYC DOT

October 3, 2024

NYC restores original ‘road diet’ plan for McGuinness Boulevard

By Aaron Ginsburg

In an unexpected reversal by Mayor Eric Adams' administration, Greenpoint's McGuinness Boulevard will get protected bike lanes after all. After revealing a scaled-back redesign of the corridor less than two months ago, the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday announced that it will instead proceed with the original proposal to install protected bike lanes and reduce lanes of traffic by four to two along busy McGuinness Boulevard. Adams had previously supported a watered-down redesign that extended a bike lane but kept the same number of traffic lanes and excluded a protected bike lane due to community concerns.
Learn more

Elizabeth Street Garden served eviction notice by city

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

October 3, 2024

Elizabeth Street Garden served eviction notice by city

By Aaron Ginsburg

Despite last-ditch efforts from New York City icons like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Little Italy's Elizabeth Street Garden received an eviction notice from the city this week. The nonprofit that oversees the garden said they have two weeks to vacate as the city moves forward with plans to build affordable senior housing and retail space on the unique green space. Elizabeth Street Garden said it plans to "continue to work with our legal team to address the eviction."
learn more

Construction begins on new 96th Street bus lanes

October 1, 2024

Construction begins on new 96th Street bus lanes

By Devin Gannon

The daily commute for 15,500 bus riders in Manhattan is about to speed up. Construction officially began this week on 1.7 miles of new bus lanes on 96th Street, stretching between West End Avenue on the Upper West Side and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side, the city's Department of Transportation announced Monday. The redesign of 96th Street includes dedicated bus lanes for the M96 and M106 routes, left-turn bays, and treatments to "calm turning drivers' speeds," according to the agency.
roll this way

Popular Articles

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects, Field Operations

September 30, 2024

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here's a first look at New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's proposed $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen last week released renderings for "Metropolitan Park," a sports and entertainment complex with a public park, hotel, live music venue, restaurants, and a casino planned for 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field. Cohen is one of several developers vying for one of the three casino licenses set to be issued in downstate New York.
Learn more

Turkish House: The Turtle Bay skyscraper at the center of Adams’ indictment

Photo courtesy of Perkins Eastman

September 27, 2024

Turkish House: The Turtle Bay skyscraper at the center of Adams’ indictment

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Midtown Manhattan skyscraper is at the center of Mayor Eric Adams' historic indictment. According to the five-count indictment, Adams allegedly pressured the city's Fire Department to allow the Turkish Consulate to occupy a new high-rise tower at 821 United Nations Plaza, despite not passing fire safety inspections, in exchange for paid and discounted travel benefits from the Turkish government. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the 36-story glass tower, known as the Turkevi Center or Turkish House, sits across from the United Nations and features a curving facade, "inspired by the Turkish crescent." The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, charged Adams with five federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign donations, which prosecutors say began when he was Brooklyn Borough President and continued after becoming mayor.
find out more

Policy

Emma’s Torch and the Children’s Village open training kitchen at new Inwood development

Image courtesy of Emma’s Torch

September 26, 2024

Emma’s Torch and the Children’s Village open training kitchen at new Inwood development

By Aaron Ginsburg

Emma's Torch, a Brooklyn-based non-profit that provides refugees with culinary training, on Tuesday announced a new partnership with the organization Children's Village. A new training site will open at The Eliza, a new affordable housing development and public library in Inwood, in collaboration with Children's Village. This new facility will expand services and outreach for both organizations, better connecting refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking to career opportunities in the culinary industry.
find out more

‘City of Yes’ housing plan approved by City Planning Commission

Image courtesy of amanderson2 on Flickr

September 25, 2024

‘City of Yes’ housing plan approved by City Planning Commission

By Aaron Ginsburg

In a win for Mayor Eric Adams, the City of Yes housing proposal has cleared the first hurdle of the approval process. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday voted 10 to 3 to approve Adams' City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, which aims to address New York City's housing shortage by creating more than 100,000 new homes over the next 15 years through a series of zoning changes. Now, the plan heads to the City Council, where a more contentious debate is expected, as some council members have already voiced opposition to several major proposed changes in their districts.
Learn more

Crown Heights project near Brooklyn Botanic Garden may be scrapped despite city approval

Franklin Avenue looking north toward Montgomery Avenue and 54 Crown Street. Photo © 6sqft

September 24, 2024

Crown Heights project near Brooklyn Botanic Garden may be scrapped despite city approval

By Aaron Ginsburg

After securing a key approval from the city after years of delays, the developer behind a controversial residential project near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden said they plan to withdraw the application. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Monday voted to approve a modified rezoning of 962-972 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights that would result in fewer shadows cast on the garden from a new 14-story building developed by Continuum Company. But despite the approval, an attorney for Continuum's Ian Bruce Eicher told The Real Deal the group plans to withdraw the application because the modifications make the project impossible to finance.
learn more

Cherry Walk greenway in Riverside Park closes to cyclists, pedestrians until spring 2025

Photo credit: Howard Brier on Flickr

September 23, 2024

Cherry Walk greenway in Riverside Park closes to cyclists, pedestrians until spring 2025

By Aaron Ginsburg

A section of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the nation's busiest bike path, will be closed for six months starting this week. The city's Parks Department announced Cherry Walk, a scenic section of the greenway between 100th and 125th Streets in Riverside Park, will close starting Monday through the spring of 2025 for urgent repairs. The $1.5 million project will repave the asphalt damaged by bumps and cracks from tree roots and include restriping the lane markings.
find out more

MTA unveils $68B capital plan to keep NYC transit system afloat

Credit: Ray Raimundi/MTA on Flickr

September 19, 2024

MTA unveils $68B capital plan to keep NYC transit system afloat

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Wednesday released a $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029 mapping out ways to improve the transit system. The plan, "The Future Rides with Us," focuses on maintaining New York City's aging subway system by funding new train cars, improving deteriorating stations, and modernizing the signal system to ensure frequent and reliable service for New Yorkers. Nearly half of the funding remains uncertain, largely due to a $15 billion gap in the current capital plan caused by Gov. Kathy Hochul's indefinite pause on congestion pricing.
learn more

Newark breaks ground on $336M arts campus with apartments, retail, and park space

Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center. View north on Mulberry Street. Rendering © Weiss/Manfredi | Courtesy of NJPAC

September 19, 2024

Newark breaks ground on $336M arts campus with apartments, retail, and park space

By Devin Gannon

A project to transform an area of downtown Newark into a walkable and livable destination centered around a cultural institution is officially underway. The nonprofit arts organization New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) this week broke ground on a $336 million redevelopment of its 12-acre campus, which includes hundreds of new apartments, retail, cultural spaces, community facilities, and a new urban park. The reimagined site is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.
READ MORE

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty

September 17, 2024

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

By Devin Gannon

After over four years, Court Square in Long Island City is getting its public library back. The Queens Public Library (QPL) announced a tentative deal for a new branch at the 5Pointz LIC rental development on Jackson Avenue. After occupying the ground floor of One Court Square for 30 years, the branch closed in 2020 when Amazon's plan to open a headquarters there fell through.
details this way

Policy

Washington Bridge dedicated bus and protected bike lanes now open

Images courtesy of NYC DOT

September 17, 2024

Washington Bridge dedicated bus and protected bike lanes now open

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Washington Bridge has undergone a transformative redesign, ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists while also speeding up bus service. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Monday announced the completion of a redesigned intersection at the bridge's approach, along with a dedicated bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane, stretching from Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights to University Avenue in the Bronx. The project will deliver quicker, more reliable bus service to the 68,000 daily riders who travel along the corridor.
Find out more

MTA expands bus lane cameras to 20 more routes

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

September 16, 2024

MTA expands bus lane cameras to 20 more routes

By Aaron Ginsburg

Double-parkers beware. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Monday began its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) in all five boroughs, issuing warnings for vehicles blocking bus stops or illegally double parking in bus lanes during an initial 60-day period. After the warning period, drivers who break the rules will face fines starting at $50, with repeat offenses increasing up to $250.
learn more

Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square

Cyclists and pedestrians travel along the newly redesigned plaza block on Broadway, from East 17th Street to East 18th Street. Credit: NYC DOT

September 13, 2024

Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square

By Aaron Ginsburg

Broadway is gradually becoming a safer, more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the completion of the latest phase of "Broadway Vision," bringing a new pedestrian plaza, two-way bike connections, and other safety upgrades between East 17th and East 21st Streets. The Union Square Partnership and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will maintain the new spaces.
learn more

NYC to study impacts of slavery, consider reparations

Credit: John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

September 13, 2024

NYC to study impacts of slavery, consider reparations

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York City Council on Thursday passed a package of legislation aimed at addressing the impact of slavery and racial injustice in New York City. The legislation establishes a "Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation" process on slavery in NYC, which was the nation's capital of slavery for nearly two centuries. Other bills require the city to conduct a reparations study, install informational plaques at the site of the city's first slave market in lower Manhattan, and create a task force to explore creating a "freedom trail" recognizing sites linked to the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement.
get the details

Policy

MTA could need $100B+ to fund transit projects over next five years

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

September 12, 2024

MTA could need $100B+ to fund transit projects over next five years

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) needs over $100 billion for transit projects and maintenance over the next five years, significantly more than the funds currently available, according to a new report. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Thursday released a report estimating the MTA's 2025-2029 capital plan could cost up to $92.2 billion. This figure doesn't account for the $15 billion gap in the current plan due to Gov. Kathy Hochul's pause on congestion pricing, which would bring the total funds needed up to $107 billion.
Learn more

Construction to begin on Bedford Avenue protected bike lane in Bed-Stuy

Streetview of Bedford Avenue. © 2024 Google

September 11, 2024

Construction to begin on Bedford Avenue protected bike lane in Bed-Stuy

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of the most dangerous sections of Brooklyn's longest street will soon be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Tuesday announced work will begin this week on a 1.5-mile protected bike lane from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue in Bed-Stuy, among other safety improvements, including new pedestrian islands and loading zones. Similar bike lane redesigns in NYC have led to a 21 percent drop in injuries, according to a press release.
find out more

14
15
16
17
18