Policy

City calls on artists to add flair to drab construction fences in two-year pilot program

“Breathing Wall” by Monika Bravo. Photograph courtesy of the artist via NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

September 19, 2018

City calls on artists to add flair to drab construction fences in two-year pilot program

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On September 12, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs announced a search for applicants for a new pilot program called City Canvas, Archpaper reports. The program was designed to beautify New York City’s visual landscape by installing large-scale–and temporary–artwork on its endless construction fences and 270 miles of sidewalk sheds. The protective construction structures are an everyday eyesore for New Yorkers, but current building codes prohibit altering them. The City Canvas program circumvents that ban by allowing select artists and cultural institutions to add visual art to the visual affronts.
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LPC designates former Carroll Gardens schoolhouse as New York City landmark

(on right) 236 and (on left) 238 President Street via LPC

September 18, 2018

LPC designates former Carroll Gardens schoolhouse as New York City landmark

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The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday designated the Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten at 236 President Street and the adjacent apartment building at 238 President Street as individual landmarks. The two Carroll Gardens buildings are associated with Elmira Christian, an advocate for early childhood education. "These two properties are distinguished by their architecture and share a great history of education and social reform in Brooklyn," LPC Vice Chair Frederick Bland said in a statement.
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South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 will be transformed into a rooftop winter village

Rendering by Visualhouse, courtesy of the Rockwell Group and Howard Hughes Corporation

September 18, 2018

South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 will be transformed into a rooftop winter village

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Update 9/19/18: The LPC approved Howard Hughes' and David Rockwell's proposal. It might still be steamy outside, but the colder months are upon us, and this year, NYC will have a brand new ice skating rink. CityRealty uncovered renderings that show how the Howard Hughes Corporation would like to transform the South Street Seaport's Pier 17--the SHoP Architects-designed food/drink, retail, and entertainment complex--into a rooftop winter village. The proposal by David Rockwell Group calls for an ice rink just slightly smaller than that at Rockefeller Center, a skate shop, and a warming hut. The team is presenting the plan to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (Pier 17 is part of the South Street Seaport Historic District) this afternoon, so check back for updates on the vote.
Check out all the renderings
Public waterfront space to be part of massive Long Island City Innovation Center project

Image: TF Cornerstone

September 12, 2018

Public waterfront space to be part of massive Long Island City Innovation Center project

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Developer TF Cornerstone has released new details about public open space slated to be part of the proposed project spanning over 1.5 million square feet at 44th Drive on city-owned land along the Long Island City waterfront, LICpost reports. Known as the Long Island City Innovation Center, the proposed massive city-led development, which will need zoning changes in order to move forward, includes office, retail, and manufacturing space and two high-rise residential towers with over 1,000 units, 25 percent of which would be affordable. The latest news concerns the acre of publicly accessible open space that is also part of the controversial development. According to TF Cornerstone, this open space will become a waterfront park with a focus on resiliency and sustainability.
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Is 421-a dead? Where to find NYC’s remaining tax abatement deals
September 6, 2018

Is 421-a dead? Where to find NYC’s remaining tax abatement deals

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In 1971, New York City launched a new program designed to encourage developers to build on vacant land. The program known as the 421-a tax abatement gave developers a ten-year exemption on paying taxes if they agreed to develop the underused land. At the time, the program made a lot of sense. In the 1970s, urban decay was rampant, even in many areas of Manhattan. But the program not only benefited developers. Owners who bought units in a 421-a tax abatement building also benefited since the bill effectively enabled developers to pass along their tax break to buyers who in turn could avoid paying taxes on their units for the first decade. While the original 421-a tax abatement is essentially dead, there are still a few 421-a deals left for buyers. This reflects the fact that several of the condo projects that secured a 421-a exemption before the program was phased out are only now coming to completion. To help buyers looking to take advantage of this final round of 421-a benefits, 6sqft has compiled a list of some of the best deals left on the market.
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If New York Wheel doesn’t restart construction in one week, the project could be done for good

Update 9/7/18: The de Blasio administration on Thursday said the city will not provide any funds to help finish the New York Wheel, NY1 reported. According to an official from NYCEDC, “public funds are too scarce and valuable to be leveraged for this venture.” The New York Wheel has until Sept. 11 to determine whether its project can continue.

September 5, 2018

If New York Wheel doesn’t restart construction in one week, the project could be done for good

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The New York Wheel, a project plagued by years of delays and legal battles, has one week to recommence construction or work on the Staten Island job will stop. In May, developers were given 120 days, by Sept. 5, to find funding and a new contractor for the 630-foot Ferris wheel. In court papers filed Tuesday, the New York Wheel asked for a one-week extension, until Sept. 11, to find ways to restart construction, Staten Island Advance reported.
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With a higher cost and shorter route, de Blasio’s BQX streetcar plan is back on the table

Rendering via NYCEDC

August 30, 2018

With a higher cost and shorter route, de Blasio’s BQX streetcar plan is back on the table

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The long-delayed plan to bring a light-rail trolley between Brooklyn and Queens has been revived, following the completion of a two-year feasibility study, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday. But the proposal differs from the original idea for the Brooklyn Queens Connector (BQX) the mayor had first released in 2016. The cost of the revised project has jumped to $2.7 billion from $2.5 billion, the number of miles on the route has dropped from 16 miles to 11 miles and the city expects the cars to run by 2029, instead of the original projection of 2024.
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Kushner Cos., Michael Cohen accused of falsifying construction permits at rent-controlled NYC buildings

237 Henry Street via Google Earth

August 28, 2018

Kushner Cos., Michael Cohen accused of falsifying construction permits at rent-controlled NYC buildings

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Kushner Companies, run by the family of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, allegedly falsified construction permits as a way to remove rent-regulated tenants from their New York City buildings, the New York Times reported. The city's Department of Buildings on Monday fined the Kushner Cos. $210,000 for 42 violations of submitting false applications across 17 buildings. According to a tenant activist organization, Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, also falsified documents at three of his properties in Manhattan at 237 Henry Street, 172 Rivington Street and 235 East 27th Street.
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LinkNYC announces new campaign to celebrate ‘City of Immigrants’

Photo courtesy of LinkNYC

August 27, 2018

LinkNYC announces new campaign to celebrate ‘City of Immigrants’

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The city's 1,742 LinkNYC Wi-Fi kiosks are the site of a new campaign to highlight facts and photographs related to immigrants' impact on New York City's life and culture. "City of Immigrants" will feature historic photos from the Associated Press, along with facts from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs' annual report. For example, did you know 52% of NYC businesses are immigrant-owned, or that nearly half of the city's population speaks a language other than English at home?
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Airbnb sues NYC over new law mandating disclosure of host data

Photo via Airbnb

August 27, 2018

Airbnb sues NYC over new law mandating disclosure of host data

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Airbnb filed a lawsuit against New York City on Friday, following the passage of a law that requires the website to disclose the names and addresses of hosts. The lawsuit claims the new law is an "extraordinary act of government overreach" and violates the U.S. Constitution. The new law, passed by the City Council last month, makes it easier for the city to regulate illegal units, or apartments rented for less than 30 days without the permanent tenant present.
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City kicks off Governors Island rezoning process

Photo of Governors Island via simplethrill on Flickr

August 27, 2018

City kicks off Governors Island rezoning process

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The city has launched the public review process for rezoning Governors Island, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. A notice announcing the first public hearing for the plan was posted by the city, a critical part of the environmental review process (h/t Crain's). The rezoning would create 4.5 million square feet of commercial, academic and cultural development, part of an endeavor to turn the 172-acre island into a 24/7 community.
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New city-sponsored ‘freelancers hub’ will open in Dumbo

Image via Pexels

August 22, 2018

New city-sponsored ‘freelancers hub’ will open in Dumbo

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In a city where two out of five workers is a freelancer, a significant workforce doesn't always have ready access to health care or even a tranquil space to work. The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment hopes to address those needs, among others, with a new freelancer's hub, the first government-backed initiative to help media freelancers across NYC with networking, legal and business assistance and advice on projects. Plans for the new hub, which will be located at the Made in NY Media Center in Dumbo, Brooklyn, were announced this morning by Made in NY Commissioner Julie Menin. The mayor's office is partnering with The Freelancers Union and Independent Filmmaker Project to create and operate the space, which will open in October.
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NYC pet laws and the legal loophole that may let your furry friend stay despite a ‘no pets’ rule

Image: Wikimedia Commons

August 20, 2018

NYC pet laws and the legal loophole that may let your furry friend stay despite a ‘no pets’ rule

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As long as Fido’s not a ferret, of course. You may not know this, but you could be able to keep a pet in a “no pets” apartment–legally. New York City's Pet Law, established in 1983, may actually override your landlord’s kibosh on your kitty or pup, as long as certain criteria are met. Your pet can't be one of the many, many critters on the city's "banned" list, which includes the aforementioned ferrets, pot-bellied pigs, most snakes, hedgehogs, and squirrels.
So how can I keep Fluffy in my no-pets condo?
Developer’s pitch would turn Liberty State Park into a Formula One racetrack

Image courtesy of Shinya Suzuki via Flickr.

August 16, 2018

Developer’s pitch would turn Liberty State Park into a Formula One racetrack

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Five million people a year visit New Jersey's 1,212 acre Liberty State Park on the west shore of New York Harbor for views of Lady Liberty and the the New York City skyline and a visit to its historic rail terminal. But even as the public land is enjoyed by the public for which it is set aside, private interests see the taxpayer-owned waterfront parkland as a jackpot waiting to happen in the form of luxury resort concepts like a golf course and, the most recent pitch, a Formula One racetrack with a 100,000-seat grandstand and fields for international cricket matches, Bloomberg reports. Though they would be on mostly private land, the developer wants 20 acres of the park in order to offer rich revelers its breathtaking views in return for cleaning up 200 contaminated, fenced-off park acres.
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City proposes four jail sites with community amenities as Rikers replacement

Image of Rikers Island via Wikimedia

August 15, 2018

City proposes four jail sites with community amenities as Rikers replacement

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Four new borough-based jails have been proposed for New York City as part of a plan to close Rikers Island, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. The proposed facilities, which include building sites in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, will contain about 1,500 beds each and offer on-site support services. The new jails would include space for educational programming, recreation, therapeutic services and staff parking. There will also be community facilities and street-level retail space, providing amenities to the surrounding neighborhood.
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To make political statement in Albany, Airbnb donates $10M to local nonprofits

Via CC

August 15, 2018

To make political statement in Albany, Airbnb donates $10M to local nonprofits

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Airbnb announced on Wednesday it will donate $10 million to a select group of nonprofit organizations as a way to highlight a bill pending in New York State Legislature that would allow the company to collect taxes from its guests. According to Airbnb, the $10 million represents one-tenth of the projected tax revenue it could generate if the legislation is approved by state lawmakers. The initiative, called "A Fair Share," comes a week after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a bill that requires Airbnb to disclose the names and addresses of its hosts, as a way to crack down on illegal listings.
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Bodegas in gentrifying NYC neighborhoods get exterior upgrades under new program

Via bitchcakes on Flickr

August 13, 2018

Bodegas in gentrifying NYC neighborhoods get exterior upgrades under new program

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As neighborhoods in New York City continue to change, bodegas are having to update their inventory. While chips and cigarettes are still corner-store fixtures, owners are selling more fresh fruit and vegetables and organic products to keep up with the shift in consumer demographics. Coinciding with the updated interiors, the exteriors of some NYC bodegas are getting upgrades as well, thanks to a new pilot program from the city. The program, "Commercial Corridor Challenge," aims to help fund public realm improvements for local businesses to keep them competitive amid gentrification, the Wall Street Journal reported.
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Cuomo announces deal to keep 360 Roosevelt Island apartments affordable for 30 more years

Aerial view of Roosevelt Island. Image: Schizoform via Flickr.

August 13, 2018

Cuomo announces deal to keep 360 Roosevelt Island apartments affordable for 30 more years

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that an agreement had been reached to keep over 360 Roosevelt Island apartments in the Westview housing development, currently in the Mitchell-Lama rental program, affordable for 30 more years. Without the agreement, the Westview's owner could have removed the building from the middle-class housing program and converted all of the apartments to market rate immediately. Instead, Westview will be able to exit from the Mitchell-Lama program but tenants will be offered first-time ownership opportunities at deeply affordable and below-market prices. Simultaneously, long-term affordability protections will be provided for tenants who continue to rent.
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral $7M air rights deal blocked by exclusive men’s club

Image via Wikimedia

August 10, 2018

St. Patrick’s Cathedral $7M air rights deal blocked by exclusive men’s club

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In March, the Archdiocese of New York reached a deal to sell 30,000 square feet of development rights from St. Patrick's Cathedral to MRP Realty and Deutsche Bank, the owners of 405 Park Avenue in Midtown East. But, as Crain's reported on Thursday, an exclusive men-only club has undercut the Archdiocese by offering the developers the deal at a lower price. The Brook, known for its billionaire clientele, will sell its air rights over its property at 111 East 54th Street to the owners of 405 Park Avenue. The owners plan to use the air rights to add four new floors to the 17-story property, a high-end office building.
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Financing secured for the second phase of Hudson Yards park

Phase 1 of Hudson Park & Boulevard via Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

August 9, 2018

Financing secured for the second phase of Hudson Yards park

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Financing has been secured for the extension of Hudson Park and Boulevard at Hudson Yards, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. The first phase of the park developed with the extension of the 7 subway line to 34th Street and opened in 2015. The extension, which is part of a $500 million investment, includes a three-acre park that will run over an Amtrak rail cut from West 36th Street to West 39th Street, between 10 and 11th Avenues. This addition expands the parkland at Hudson Yards by 75 percent.
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NYC Council passes one-year cap on Uber and Lyft

Via joiseyshowaa on Flickr

August 9, 2018

NYC Council passes one-year cap on Uber and Lyft

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The New York City Council approved on Wednesday a package of legislation to regulate for-hire vehicles, like Uber and Lyft, making New York the first major city to cap new licenses. The legislation will stop issuing licenses to for-hire vehicles for one year, as the city studies the growing industry. And a minimum wage, which could start at $17.22 an hour, will be established for app-based drivers, which no city has done before.
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Newark woos Amazon by adding $1B in tax breaks to HQ2 pitch

Image: Axel Drainville via Flickr.

August 9, 2018

Newark woos Amazon by adding $1B in tax breaks to HQ2 pitch

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Since Amazon announced they'd be deciding which city would become the location of the mega corporation's second headquarters by the end of the year, competition between contenders has heated up. Along with 20 cities that include Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, New York, Boston, three sections of the Washington, D.C., region and, in Canada, Toronto, Newark is still in the ring from an initial field of 238 possible locations. On Wednesday the city approved a new addition to the $7 billion package the state is offering to sweeten the pot in hopes of scoring HQ2, as it's being called. The added incentive comes in the form of a trio of ordinances offering nearly $1 billion in payroll tax exemptions to companies that create at least 30,000 jobs and invest $3 billion in the city in the coming 20 years, Bloomberg reports.
That's quite a package
59-block Inwood rezoning vote draws protests from residents who fear its character will be lost

Inwood Hill Park; Image: Dana via Flickr.

August 9, 2018

59-block Inwood rezoning vote draws protests from residents who fear its character will be lost

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On Wednesday the City Council approved a rezoning plan for a 59-block section of Inwood, a neighbhorhood often referred to as the "last affordable neighborhood in Manhattan," the New York Times reports. The plan was approved last week by the city's zoning subcommittee and the Land Use Committee. The Inwood rezoning is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to rezone neighborhoods across the city as part of the push to create and preserve 300,000 affordable housing units by his goal date of 2026. Inwood is the fifth neighborhood–including the also-controversial East New York and East Harlem–to be approved for rezoning under the plan.
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21-story Union Square tech hub gets green light from City Council despite community concerns

Rendering via NYCEDC

August 8, 2018

21-story Union Square tech hub gets green light from City Council despite community concerns

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The New York City Council voted Wednesday to approve plans to build a new tech hub on city-owned land at 124 East 14th Street near Union Square. As Crain's reported, last Thursday the building received the go-ahead from the zoning subcommittee that was reviewing the development of the 21-story building that supporters expect will be a resource for the "tech-for-good" community and provide jobs for lower-income workers. The project is being developed jointly by the city's Economic Development Corp. and developer RAL Development Service; it is expected to open in 2020. The proposed tech center, which the mayor hopes will nurture budding entrepreneurs in the technology field and bring over 600 jobs to New Yorkers, is planned at the site of a P.C. Richard & Son store, in an area already filled with new developments with more on the way.
Not everyone is excited, however
LPC approves Morris Adjmi’s condo project for East Village gas explosion site

Courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects

August 8, 2018

LPC approves Morris Adjmi’s condo project for East Village gas explosion site

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The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved on Tuesday a seven-story condo on the site of the 2015 East Village gas explosion. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, the project was first presented to the commission in July but was sent back to the drawing board over concerns regarding the windows and gloomy coloring. According to Curbed NY, the firm's new design features a brighter facade, more traditional windows to reflect the character of the East Village and a permanent plaque to honor the two people that died during the explosion.
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