Policy

NYC begins notifying pied-à-terre owners about new tax

Photo by Brett Wharton on Unsplash

July 24, 2026

NYC begins notifying pied-à-terre owners about new tax

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has begun alerting pied-à-terre owners about a potential surcharge, marking the first step toward implementing the city's new tax on non-primary luxury homes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Finance (DOF) Commissioner Richard Lee last week announced that the city has started notifying property owners by mail that they may be subject to the new tax. The annual tax, approved in May, applies to one- to three-family homes valued at $5 million or more and condominiums and co-ops valued at $1 million and above, whose owners maintain a separate primary residence. The rollout has come under heavy criticism, with some homeowners claiming they received notices despite not qualifying for the new tax.
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Brooklyn’s oldest underground subway station is now accessible

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

July 23, 2026

Brooklyn’s oldest underground subway station is now accessible

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of New York City's oldest subway stations is now ADA-accessible. On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority completed a $106 million renovation of Downtown Brooklyn's Borough Hall station, which now has three new elevators that make all of its platforms fully accessible and flood-mitigation measures that prevent water from running down stairs and grates during heavy rain. The project also repaired a section of the station's ceiling that collapsed in 2018 and hit a woman.
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NYC landlords sue Rent Guidelines Board to stop rent freeze

Photo credit: Denis Ibarra for Tenant Bloc

July 22, 2026

NYC landlords sue Rent Guidelines Board to stop rent freeze

By Devin Gannon

The first legal challenge to the Rent Guidelines Board's (RGB) decision to freeze the rent for New York City's stabilized apartments was filed this week. A group of landlords filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court on Staten Island to annul the board's June 25 approval of 0 percent increases on one- and two-year leases. The suit claims the board manipulated data to overstate property income for owners to meet Mayor Zohran Mamdani's rent freeze promise.
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Policy

World Cup brought billions in economic impact to NYC region

Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 21, 2026

World Cup brought billions in economic impact to NYC region

By Aaron Ginsburg

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come to a close, bringing hundreds of thousands of soccer fans to the New York-New Jersey area for eight matches at MetLife Stadium. Now, city and state officials are assessing whether the projected economic impact of hosting the tournament materialized. While the region’s overall economic impact goals will likely be met, some projections, including a boost in hotel occupancy, fell short of expectations.
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Policy

Mamdani launches campaign to help tenants organize for safer housing

Credit: Bradley Andrews on Unsplash

July 21, 2026

Mamdani launches campaign to help tenants organize for safer housing

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday launched a new canvassing effort to connect tenants living in buildings with housing code violations with resources and information on organizing for better living conditions. The "Talk to Tenants" campaign will deploy volunteers with the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement who will inform residents about advocating for safe and well-maintained homes, as well as forming tenant unions. The initiative will begin in East Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Flatbush before expanding to communities across the five boroughs.
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Policy

Mamdani’s ‘rental rip-off’ report outlines 23 actions to address tenant concerns

Credit: Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

July 16, 2026

Mamdani’s ‘rental rip-off’ report outlines 23 actions to address tenant concerns

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City tenants have spoken. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday released a new report shaped by testimony from thousands of renters who shared their experiences during the "Rental Rip-Off" hearings held across the five boroughs. The 68-page report outlines 23 policy changes aimed at strengthening tenant protections, improving housing quality, and targeting negligent landlords while curbing hazardous conditions and deceptive practices.
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Policy

NYC moves forward with first busway in the Bronx, Central Brooklyn bus upgrades

Work underway on new center-running bus lanes along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 16, 2026

NYC moves forward with first busway in the Bronx, Central Brooklyn bus upgrades

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is advancing four major public transit projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn that are expected to cut commutes by up to six minutes for nearly 200,000 daily riders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday announced that the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin construction of the long-delayed Tremont Avenue busway later this year and launch community engagement for improvements along Flatbush, Utica, and Church avenues in Brooklyn, three of the borough’s busiest bus corridors. The projects build on last week's unveiling of the "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service" plan, which aims to speed up service on 50 bus routes across the five boroughs.
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New York imposes nation’s first one-year ban on new large data centers

Credit: Susan Watts/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul on Flickr

July 14, 2026

New York imposes nation’s first one-year ban on new large data centers

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York became the first state in the nation on Tuesday to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of large new data centers, which require immense power to fuel artificial intelligence tools. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a one-year pause on new data centers that consume 50 megawatts or more of power to give officials time to develop measures to protect New Yorkers and the environment following concerns raised by communities about the environmental impacts and rising energy costs stemming from the facilities.
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New York unveils plan to speed up NYC buses across 50 priority corridors

Photo by Sal Media on Unsplash

July 8, 2026

New York unveils plan to speed up NYC buses across 50 priority corridors

By Aaron Ginsburg

Riders on 50 bus routes across New York City could see their commutes cut by up to six minutes under a new proposal aimed at boosting bus speeds. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the MTA on Wednesday released "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service," a plan outlining service upgrades that transit officials say will improve speed, reliability, and the rider experience citywide. Through a combination of service changes, traffic enforcement upgrades, and road redesigns, officials say the plan could reduce travel times by 20 percent across at least 50 bus corridors.
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NYC to release addresses of Upper East Side buildings linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

Credit: Clay LeConey on Unsplash

July 8, 2026

NYC to release addresses of Upper East Side buildings linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is implementing emergency measures after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease on the Upper East Side sickened at least 76 people and killed four as of Monday, July 20. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, July 7 directed the city's Department of Health to begin testing cooling towers across the affected area and mobilize more than 100 staff members for community outreach. In an unprecedented move, the administration will publicly release the addresses of buildings whose cooling towers test positive for the bacteria and order property owners to immediately drain, clean, and disinfect the systems to prevent further exposure.
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Policy

Popular Articles

Pfizer’s former headquarters in Midtown is stable after buckled columns led to evacuations

219-235 East 42nd Street. Photo © Ondel Hylton

July 8, 2026

Pfizer’s former headquarters in Midtown is stable after buckled columns led to evacuations

By Devin Gannon

The city's Department of Buildings on Tuesday said a high-rise tower under construction in Midtown is now stable after structural columns buckled. The building, Pfizer's former headquarters on 42nd Street, which is currently being converted into a new residential development, was found to be structurally compromised, prompting the city to evacuate several buildings in the area and close surrounding streets. DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani on Tuesday night said crews were able to enter and stabilize the impacted floors as part of an emergency intervention. As of Thursday, temporary shoring has been installed from the 9th floor to the underside of the roof, with additional steel columns installed on multiple floors, according to the city.
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Policy

NYC begins work on Avenue B Open Street redesign, adding pedestrian space, bike connections

New Yorkers on the Avenue B Open Street. Credit: Street Lab

July 1, 2026

NYC begins work on Avenue B Open Street redesign, adding pedestrian space, bike connections

By Aaron Ginsburg

Work has begun on the redesign of the East Village’s popular Avenue B Open Street, bringing expanded pedestrian space, new cycling connections, and safety upgrades. The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday announced the start of construction on the project, which will upgrade the corridor from East 4th Street to East 12th Street. The redesign includes intersection improvements, new loading zones, and one-way traffic reversals aimed at reducing vehicle volumes along Avenue B and improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
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NYC expands heat wave protections for 4th of July weekend

Photo by Marco on Flickr

July 1, 2026

NYC expands heat wave protections for 4th of July weekend

By Aaron Ginsburg

As New York City enters a dangerous heat wave, officials are rolling out a series of measures to help New Yorkers stay cool. Temperatures over 100 degrees are expected to hit the five boroughs starting Thursday, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to activate the city's emergency heat plan. The mayor announced additional measures, including opening more cooling centers, extending pool hours, intensifying outreach, and encouraging New Yorkers to check on their neighbors.
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Policy

New NYC housing voucher program to be created as part of city budget deal

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 30, 2026

New NYC housing voucher program to be created as part of city budget deal

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City will create a new program for housing vouchers that will expand rental assistance under a handshake budget agreement announced on Tuesday. The mayor and the City Council announced a $125.8 billion budget deal, which invests $300 million over two years in a new voucher program that could reach about 30,000 more New Yorkers. The agreement also requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani to drop his appeal of a court ruling ordering the expansion of the voucher program known as CityFHEPS, ending a legal battle that began under former Mayor Eric Adams over ballooning costs.
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Policy

1,500-unit Downtown Brooklyn complex to enter public review next month

Renderings courtesy of Alloy Development

June 29, 2026

1,500-unit Downtown Brooklyn complex to enter public review next month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A proposed four-building development in Downtown Brooklyn with roughly 1,500 apartments is set to enter public review next month. The Department of City Planning (DCP) on Friday issued a 30-day certification notice for 240 Nassau Street, a mixed-use development near the Brooklyn Navy Yard with 1,500 homes, a new K–8 public school, a community center, a cultural center, retail space, and public open space. The development team, consisting of NYC Educational Construction Fund (ECF), Alloy Development, and GFB Development, is looking to rezone the site to allow for the 1.4 million-square-foot mixed-use development. The uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) will begin in July, with construction anticipated to start in 2027.
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Monitor Point rezoning moves forward with 660+ affordable apartments on Greenpoint waterfront

Credit: NYC Parks / Hannah Mrakovčić

June 26, 2026

Monitor Point rezoning moves forward with 660+ affordable apartments on Greenpoint waterfront

By Aaron Ginsburg

More than 660 affordable homes are coming to the Greenpoint waterfront after a New York City Council committee on Thursday approved the major Monitor Point rezoning. First announced in 2021, the project will bring a new mixed-use complex to an MTA-owned waterfront site, with 50 percent of its 1,324 total units designated as permanently affordable following negotiations between the developer and the City Council. The rezoning also includes public green space as part of Bushwick Inlet Park, along with investments in transit and climate resiliency measures.
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Two-year rent freeze for NYC stabilized apartments approved by Rent Guidelines Board

Photos courtesy of NYS Tenant Bloc

June 26, 2026

Two-year rent freeze for NYC stabilized apartments approved by Rent Guidelines Board

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Rent Guidelines Board on Thursday voted to approve a rent freeze for one- and two-year leases for New York City's one million stabilized apartments, the first time the panel has ever backed 0 percent increases on multiple-year leases. The new guidelines, which will apply to leases that begin on or after October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, fulfill a key campaign promise from Mayor Zohran Mamdani just six months into his first term.
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Policy

MTA and Amtrak at odds over Penn Station redesign

All images courtesy of PAU

June 25, 2026

MTA and Amtrak at odds over Penn Station redesign

By Aaron Ginsburg

After being removed from the Penn Station reconstruction project by the federal government, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has rejected an offer from Amtrak to rejoin the effort. Andy Byford, senior adviser at Amtrak, sent a letter to MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber on Monday formally inviting the MTA to return as a “fully involved” partner after the agency was taken off the project last year and its original reconstruction plan was scrapped. Lieber declined to sign an agreement to join, questioning whether President Donald Trump and Amtrak would follow through on the development.
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Rent Guidelines Board member resigns hours before vote on possible rent freeze

Credit: Sebastian Jacobsen on Unsplash

June 25, 2026

Rent Guidelines Board member resigns hours before vote on possible rent freeze

By Aaron Ginsburg

A member of the city’s Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) resigned just hours before the board was set to vote on a possible rent freeze for the roughly two million New Yorkers who live in rent-stabilized apartments. Christina Smyth, a landlord representative on the board who was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams last year, submitted her resignation Thursday morning ahead of the board’s scheduled 7 p.m. vote, as first reported by Crain’s. Smyth said the RGB has stopped being a “fact-finding body” and instead “starts with an answer” and works backward to justify it, adding that most of the board’s nine members have been appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
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Policy

Morris Adjmi’s Soho tower could rise to 21 stories in exchange for Canal Street subway upgrades

All images courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects

June 24, 2026

Morris Adjmi’s Soho tower could rise to 21 stories in exchange for Canal Street subway upgrades

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday reviewed a proposal to make a Morris Adjmi-designed Soho project larger in exchange for nearby subway station upgrades. United American Land released plans in 2023 to build a 13-story building with 100 apartments at 277 Canal Street, which the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission approved that year. The revised plan presented to the LPC on Tuesday calls for a 21-story building with 159 units, made possible if granted a floor area bonus from the city in exchange for accessibility upgrades to the Canal Street subway station. The commission sent the 277 Canal team back to the drawing board after some commissioners took issue with the building's increased height.
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63-block dedicated bus lane proposed for 6th Avenue

Photo of 6th Avenue and 56th Street. Photo by Tdorante10 via Wikimedia Commons

June 19, 2026

63-block dedicated bus lane proposed for 6th Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city wants to add 63 blocks of offset bus lanes along Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Friday unveiled a proposal for a dedicated bus lane that runs from Watts Street in Soho to 58th Street in Midtown, along with a wider bike lane from 36th Street to 59th Street. As first reported by amNY, the city presented the plan to Manhattan Community Board 4 this week and will release a final proposal incorporating feedback before installation.
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NYC Council to hold hearing on Ryder’s Law after fatal Central Park horse-drawn carriage accident

Credit: Bee on Unsplash

June 19, 2026

NYC Council to hold hearing on Ryder’s Law after fatal Central Park horse-drawn carriage accident

By Aaron Ginsburg

The City Council will hold a hearing next month on Ryder’s Law, a bill that would phase out horse-drawn carriage rides, after a teenager was thrown from a carriage in Central Park and died this week. Speaker Julie Menin on Wednesday announced a July hearing on the legislation, which would phase out the city's horse-drawn carriage industry. A Council subcommittee nixed a previous version of the law in November despite support from former Mayor Eric Adams. In addition to the death of the 18-year-old tourist on Wednesday, there have been seven additional horse-related incidents over the last 13 months, including last week when a carriage horse had a medical emergency and died, according to the New York Times.
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NY attorney general sues Brooklyn landlords for overcharging rent-stabilized tenants

1075 Dean Street in Crown Heights. Streetview © 2026 Google

June 18, 2026

NY attorney general sues Brooklyn landlords for overcharging rent-stabilized tenants

By Devin Gannon

Two landlords in Brooklyn are the first to be sued by the state as part of a new program enforcing "de facto" rent stabilization. New York Attorney General Letitia James this week announced a lawsuit against John Anderson and Claudette Henry for failing to register units in buildings in Crown Heights and Brownsville and charging market-rate rents for apartments that should be stabilized. The suit also alleges the landlords attempted to illegally evict tenants and violated harassment laws. The effort comes after the Office of the Attorney General in 2025 launched a compliance program to enforce a law that allows buildings built before 1974 with six or more dwelling units to become rent-regulated.
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Policy

Knicks-themed Penn Station subway entrance will stay orange and blue through next season

Images courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

June 18, 2026

Knicks-themed Penn Station subway entrance will stay orange and blue through next season

By Aaron Ginsburg

A subway entrance at 34th Street and 8th Avenue that was transformed during the New York Knicks' playoff run will stay painted orange and blue through at least next season. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA this week announced the spirited entrance will be preserved through the 2026-2027 season in celebration of the team's first NBA championship in five decades. Transformed by the MTA earlier this month, the Knicks-themed station, which included turning the lamp globes into basketballs, became a viral sensation and a destination for fans and those attending games at Madison Square Garden.
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NYC launches program to preserve 39K supportive housing units

Credit: Matthew Moloney on Unsplash

June 17, 2026

NYC launches program to preserve 39K supportive housing units

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has launched a program aimed at preserving existing supportive housing units for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. The Supportive Preservation Program (SPP), launched on Wednesday by the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), will provide tax exemptions, below-market loans, and other financial assistance to ensure the long-term stability of supportive housing projects. The program is a key part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “Block by Block” housing plan, which seeks to preserve the city’s roughly 39,000 supportive homes.
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