Policy

NYC ramps up COVID-19 contact tracing effort, will hire 2,500 tracers by June

Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 12, 2020

NYC ramps up COVID-19 contact tracing effort, will hire 2,500 tracers by June

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

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.
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Policy

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

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.
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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

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 6, 2020

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

By Dana Schulz

After finally getting on board with the idea of opening New York City streets to pedestrians, Mayor de Blasio closed the first wave of streets to cars earlier this week. This totaled 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks; eventually, the city will open up to 100 miles of streets. The next group will open up tomorrow, which includes 1.5 miles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx done in collaboration with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), as well as 0.4 miles in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Get the full list of streets

NYC subway shuts down for first time in history; see the COVID-19 disinfection plan in action

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

May 6, 2020

NYC subway shuts down for first time in history; see the COVID-19 disinfection plan in action

By Devin Gannon

For the first time in its 115-year history, the New York City subway system shut down overnight on Wednesday. The closure, which will occur daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., is part of a new plan to disinfect every car and station to stop the spread of the coronavirus and protect essential workers. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is increasing bus service to serve essential workers, adding 344 buses to the current 235 that run during that early morning time frame. For-hire car service will also be offered to employees who are unable to use the bus for their commutes.
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Rule-breaking crowds could force Green-Wood Cemetery to close to public

Photo by Michela Simoncini on Flickr

May 4, 2020

Rule-breaking crowds could force Green-Wood Cemetery to close to public

By Devin Gannon

Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery threatened to close its gates last week after some visitors ignored the 478-acre-site's rules and regulations. In an email to supporters, the cemetery's president Richard Moylan said people have biked, climbed trees, and even taken flowers that were placed on graves, all actions prohibited by the organization. "The conduct of a small percentage of our visitors has created an unacceptable situation," Moylan wrote. "If things don’t change we may be left with no choice but to close our gates as many other cemeteries have done."
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Policy

Petition calls for NYC landlords to withhold property tax

By Devin Gannon

An online petition launched last week that calls on New York City landlords to withhold property tax payment, in response to a statewide rent strike organized this month. As the Real Deal first reported, the Change.org appeal, "Property Tax relief or Tax strike," has collected nearly 1,500 signatures as of Monday.
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First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 1, 2020

First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

By Devin Gannon

The first phase of the city's plan to close up to 100 miles of streets to cars will start on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. The first streets to open to pedestrians include 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks, according to the mayor. "The goal here is more space, more social distancing," de Blasio said.
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In response to COVID homeless crisis, MTA bans wheeled carts and enacts one-hour subway limit

Photo by Joey via Flickr cc

April 30, 2020

In response to COVID homeless crisis, MTA bans wheeled carts and enacts one-hour subway limit

By Dana Schulz

When the Daily News shared a photo of a homeless New Yorker on a subway car earlier this week, it drew much attention all the way up to Governor Cuomo. Yesterday, the governor called on the MTA to create a plan to solve the issue. In response, the MTA released a plan today that deals with three main points-- no person is permitted to remain in a station for more than an hour; during a public health emergency, no person can remain on a train or the platform after an announcement that the train is being taken out of service; and wheeled carts greater than 30 inches in length or width are banned.
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NYC subways will shut down from 1am-5am for nightly cleanings

Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit via MTA/Flickr

April 30, 2020

NYC subways will shut down from 1am-5am for nightly cleanings

By Dana Schulz

After Governor Cuomo asked the MTA to step up its subway disinfecting schedule from every 72 to 24 hours, the agency came back with what it's calling the "Essential Connector Program." This initiative will stop service from 1:00am to 5:00am every night during the pandemic, starting Wednesday, May 6. New York City is one of the few cities in the entire world (and the only one in the U.S.) that has a public transit system that runs 24/7, but the governor has said that it is the city and state's responsibility to disinfect more frequently in order to keep our essential workers safe and ensure that they feel comfortable riding the subway.
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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.
More here

New Jersey will allow state parks and golf courses to reopen this weekend

Photo of Liberty State Park by Shinya Suzuki via Flickr cc

April 29, 2020

New Jersey will allow state parks and golf courses to reopen this weekend

By Dana Schulz

As of this Saturday, May 2, at sunrise, all state parks across New Jersey will reopen. Golf courses and county parks will also be allowed to reopen with a social distancing mandate in effect. Governor Phil Murphy made the announcement today after he closed all state and county parks on April 7. The governor has also talked about the possibility of reopening beaches in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
More details ahead

Policy

New York City lovebirds can get married online starting next week

Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels

April 29, 2020

New York City lovebirds can get married online starting next week

By Dana Schulz

"We need moments of joy now more than ever, and we won’t let a pandemic get in the way of true love," said Mayor Bill de Blasio in his announcement that New Yorkers will be able to obtain marriage licenses online from the City Clerk by the end of next week. Called Project Cupid, the initiative is helmed by the Mayor and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. It comes after Governor Cuomo signed an executive order on April 18th that allows bureau clerks to perform wedding ceremonies virtually.
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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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Will New Jersey beaches really reopen by Memorial Day?

A typically crowded beach day at the Jersey Shore, photo via Wikimedia Commons

April 28, 2020

Will New Jersey beaches really reopen by Memorial Day?

By Dana Schulz

"I want to see the shore humming throughout the summer," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy yesterday when discussing a reopening plan for his state. According to the New York Times, he said that this could come as soon as Memorial Day, considered the kick-off weekend to summer. But the suggestion has drawn mixed emotions, since yesterday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo alluded to the fact that the New York City area would not reopen when his state's current Pause order ends on May 15th. Cuomo has also been persistent in his message that reopenings must be coordinated within the tri-state region to avoid sending crowds from one state to another.
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Policy

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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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.
More here

Here’s what New York’s phased reopening will look like

Photo by Garin Chadwick on Unsplash

April 27, 2020

Here’s what New York’s phased reopening will look like

By Dana Schulz

"Let's start to put some meat on the bones" said Governor Cuomo yesterday in his press conference, referring to a reopening plan. After first reminding New Yorkers that the CDC recommends the state and regional hospitalization rate be in decline for 14 days before any action is taken, he laid out the phased reopening. The first phase brings back construction and manufacturing, while the second phase starts to reintroduce a wider net of businesses based on their risk and how essential they are. The plan will pay special attention to "summer activities" like beaches, and the governor also talked about bringing back sports without audiences.
More details here

Policy

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

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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