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December 18, 2019

De Blasio unveils $100M plan to end long-term street homelessness

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday released a plan to get 3,600 homeless New Yorkers off city streets within five years. The six-point initiative adds new "safe haven" beds, creates 1,000 permanent units of housing, provides new health resources, and ramps up the city's outreach response. Named The Journey Home, the $100 million plan comes as the number of those experiencing homelessness in the city has reached the highest levels in nearly 100 years, with more than 60,000 people currently living in homeless shelters.
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April 18, 2019

11 landmarks of immigration in Greenwich Village

Each year, immigrant history week is celebrated in late April, commemorating the day in 1907 when more immigrants came through Ellis Island than any other day in history. More than a few of those immigrants came through Greenwich Village, which has a long and storied history of welcoming newcomers from across the city, country, and globe. Here are just a few of the sites within the Greenwich Village Historic District where landmarks of our nation’s rich and varied immigrant history can be found, from the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in the country to a hub of "Little Spain."
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March 7, 2019

20 transformative women of Greenwich Village

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District on April 29, 1969.  One of the city’s oldest and still largest historic districts, it’s a unique treasure trove of rich history, pioneering culture, and charming architecture. GVSHP will be spending 2019 marking this anniversary with events, lectures, and new interactive online resources, including a celebration and district-wide weekend-long “Open House” starting on Saturday, April 13th in Washington Square. This is part of a series of posts about the unique qualities of the Greenwich Village Historic District marking its golden anniversary. Few places on earth have attracted as many creative, mold-shattering, transformative women as Greenwich Village, especially the Greenwich Village Historic District which lies in its heart. From its earliest settlers in the 17th century through its bohemian heyday in the late 19th and 20th centuries right up to today, pioneering women have made the Greenwich Village Historic District their home, from congresswoman Bella Abzug and gay rights advocate Edie Windsor to playwright Lorraine Hansberry and photographer Berenice Abbott.
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August 15, 2018

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

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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July 13, 2026

‘Summer Streets’ returns with over 20 miles of car-free blocks and later hours

Summer Streets returns to New York City this month with more than 20 miles of car-free streets and programming through August, along with later hours in the outer boroughs. Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn on Friday announced that the annual event will open select stretches of street to pedestrians and cyclists from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Manhattan and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island over five Saturdays in July and August, starting July 25.
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June 23, 2026

Extell secures density bonus for 71-story mixed-use project at Wellington Hotel site

Extell Development last week secured a zoning bonus from the city required for the firm's proposed 1,130-foot-tall tower at the site of Midtown’s former Wellington Hotel. The City Planning Commission last week granted the project at 871 7th Avenue a nearly 120,000-square-foot density bonus; in exchange, Extell will upgrade the nearby 50th Street subway station to be fully accessible. The approval allows for the project to expand by 20 percent, transforming it from a 27-story hotel into a 71-story mixed-use tower with 130 residential units and 156 hotel rooms. As first reported by Crain's, the expansion utilizes the city’s Zoning for Accessibility (ZFA) program, which offers density bonuses to developers in exchange for transit improvements.
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June 10, 2026

Nearly 195,000 people slept in NYC shelters in 2025, the most ever

The number of New Yorkers sleeping in homeless shelters rose 27 percent under Mayor Eric Adams' four years in office, driven by overcrowded housing conditions and evictions, according to a new report. The Coalition for the Homeless released its annual "State of the Homeless" report, which found that the number of non-migrant New York City residents needing shelter grew by more than 12,000 between January 2022 and December 2025. Plus, last year, 194,531 individuals used the city's shelter system over the course of the year, the most in its history. The increase excludes asylum seekers and other new arrivals who entered the shelter system during that period.
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June 5, 2026

Here are the NYC neighborhoods with the highest storefront vacancy rates

Though New York City’s storefront vacancy rate has rebounded since the pandemic, some neighborhoods still have retail vacancy rates as high as 20 percent, according to a new report. Released on Thursday by the city's Comptroller Mark Levine, the report, titled "Who's Minding the Storefront? An Analysis of Storefront Vacancies," found that while the citywide vacancy rate has returned to near pre-pandemic levels, parts of Lower Manhattan, Battery Park City, Northern Brooklyn, and Western Queens continue to see retail vacancy rates at or above 20 percent. Citywide, roughly 15,700 storefronts remain vacant, representing an 11 percent vacancy rate, about half a percentage point above pre-pandemic levels.
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June 2, 2026

New York SNAP recipients can now receive free membership to The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Tuesday launched free membership for New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The initiative is offered through the new “Explorer Membership” level, which provides one year of free membership, access to member preview days, a digital membership card, invitations to community programs, and more. The program is a joint effort by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Social Services, and follows a similar initiative launched by the American Museum of Natural History last July.
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May 29, 2026

NYC reopens Orchard Beach Pavilion after 17 years and $114M restoration

The historic Orchard Beach Pavilion in the Bronx partially reopened to the public earlier this month, restoring access to the landmarked beachfront destination for the first time in 17 years after a $114 million reconstruction. Beginning in December 2022, work on the 140,000-square-foot project involved preserving the pavilion’s 1930s-era architecture while adding new community amenities and accessibility upgrades. The seaside landmark, located at the only public beach in the Bronx, reopened ahead of the summer season and the opening of city beaches last weekend. Additional features remain under construction, with a full reopening expected later this summer.
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May 28, 2026

NYC launches interactive website to help young New Yorkers find free summer activities

New York City wants to make it easier for young people to find free and low-cost activities this summer. Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week launched "Summer in N.Y.C.," a website that matches users with activities happening in their neighborhood, ranging from free painting and photography classes to sports leagues, summer jobs, and FIFA World Cup watch parties. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the administration to keep young New Yorkers safe during the summer, when gun violence sees an uptick, as CBS News reported.
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May 26, 2026

Mamdani releases blueprint to build 200,000 new affordable homes, target bad landlords

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday released a comprehensive plan to address the city's current housing crisis, detailing a goal to build 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade, the most ambitious target by a New York City mayor ever. The housing plan, dubbed "Block by Block," says $22 billion in capital investments over five years will fund new affordable housing and help preserve another 200,000 existing homes. The report also details the expansion of tenant protections and homeownership opportunities, as well as the largest capital investment in NYCHA in recent history.
details here
May 26, 2026

NYC restaurants to offer $26 dining deals during World Cup

New York City is launching a series of initiatives to help New Yorkers and visitors support small businesses and explore neighborhoods in every borough during the FIFA World Cup. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Friday a new $26 dining special at participating restaurants and bars throughout the six-week tournament. According to the city, nearly 600 businesses have signed up to partake in the program, which will run from June 11 through July 19.
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May 20, 2026

NYC Ferry boosts service this summer ahead of the FIFA World Cup

New York City ferry service is receiving a major boost this summer, just in time for the FIFA World Cup. The summer schedule for NYC Ferry will offer the most extensive service in the system’s history ahead of an expected influx of visitors for the soccer tournament at MetLife Stadium, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city's Economic Development Corporation announced on Tuesday. Running now through September 13, the extra service includes additional route connections, expanded weekend service, and the return of the Rockaway Rocket and Rockaway Reserve ticket programs. The city also unveiled five wrapped vessels featuring World Cup-inspired branding that highlights each borough.
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May 19, 2026

NYC reveals design proposals for Billie Holiday monument in Queens

More than seven years after it was first commissioned, a monument honoring Billie Holiday in New York City is moving forward. The city's Department of Cultural Affairs on Tuesday unveiled proposals from six artists for a new permanent artwork celebrating the jazz legend that will be installed at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens. The monument is part of a long-delayed effort to increase the representation of influential women in public spaces across the five boroughs. The public can review the proposals and submit feedback through the end of May. An artist will be chosen this summer.
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May 14, 2026

NYCxDESIGN 2026: 12 can’t-miss picks from New York City’s annual festival of design

Each spring, the spotlight returns to New York City as a major hub for global design. The 2026 NYCxDESIGN Festival runs from May 14 to May 20, drawing over 163,000 industry pros, brands, designers, creators, and lovers of interior design from all corners of the world and from the city's own vibrant design scene. Anchored by iconic trade fairs and exhibitions like ICFF and WANTED, a full calendar of tours, talks, and product debuts will be happening throughout the five boroughs. The festival offers a sneak peek at tomorrow’s design trends and provides a chance to discover new talent in the worlds of furniture, lighting, textiles, and objects. Read on for a guide to this year's top design fair picks.
a short list of design must-sees, this way
May 12, 2026

6 best under-the-radar museums in New York City

The Met, the MoMA, the Guggenheim. The hallowed halls of these New York City institutions house some of the world’s most renowned works of art. But what if you’re really into posters? Or have a specific love for paintings of dogs? Well, there’s a place for everyone in this great city! Here are six niche museums to spend an afternoon.
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April 23, 2026

Judge halts plan to move men’s homeless intake shelter to East Village after lawsuit

A state judge has paused Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan to relocate a men's homeless intake shelter from the shuttered Bellevue facility in Kips Bay to the East Village after residents filed a lawsuit. Judge Sabrina Kraus issued the order on Wednesday, blocking the city from opening the intake center at 8 East Third Street on May 1 as originally planned and setting a May 7 court date for the administration and plaintiffs. Last month, Mamdani announced plans to close the Bellevue shelter, citing decades of neglect and deteriorating conditions, and to relocate its roughly 250 residents to existing shelters in the East Village.
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April 22, 2026

7 green infrastructure projects shaping NYC’s climate future

As New York City deals with rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, and aging infrastructure, officials are increasingly confronting a future that will be wetter and more climate-vulnerable. Efforts are underway to improve the resilience of the city against extreme weather driven by climate change while expanding greener and more accessible public spaces. These efforts come as President Donald Trump's administration continues to cancel or freeze funding for programs that address climate change, including $325 million in disaster prevention funds for New York. In honor of Earth Day, we've put together a list of seven major green infrastructure projects that are working toward a safe and sustainable future for New Yorkers.
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April 17, 2026

Green-Wood Cemetery opens new welcome center that surrounds Victorian greenhouse

Though some 583,000 people are buried there, the 478-acre Green-Wood Cemetery has always been more than a burial ground. The Brooklyn cemetery served as a verdant 19th-century escape, and it has since been a unique destination for events, nature study, and more. This weekend, the cemetery will officially open the Green-House at Green-Wood, a new $43 million welcome center that wraps around the renovated 1895 Victorian greenhouse. Designed by Architecture Research Office (ARO), the new L-shaped building, clad in glazed terra cotta and topped by a green roof, will help visitors navigate the cemetery's sprawling grounds. The new center will also serve as a venue for events, starting with a free grand opening weekend program and a MoonFest celebration in May.
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April 14, 2026

Trump administration agrees to display Pride flag at Stonewall after lawsuit

The Pride flag will be displayed permanently at Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village after the Trump administration agreed to reverse its decision to remove it. As part of a court settlement reached on Monday, the federal government agreed to reinstall three flags on the monument’s flagpole within a week, according to the Associated Press. Filed by a group of nonprofits after the flag's removal on February 9, the lawsuit argued that the administration illegally targeted LGBTQIA+ people and violated a policy allowing the National Park Service (NPS) to display "non-agency" flags at federal sites when they provide historical context.
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April 8, 2026

Three buildings linked to New York City’s immigrant history designated as landmarks

Three buildings in New York City with long histories of serving immigrant communities have been designated as individual landmarks. On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted to designate Public School 15 Annex in Downtown Brooklyn, the Church of Saint Mary on the Lower East Side, and the Lithuanian Alliance Building in Midtown as landmarks, citing their "value as part of the development, heritage, and cultural characteristics" of the city. The designations come amid a heightened crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration.
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March 26, 2026

Mamdani appeals housing voucher expansion, breaking campaign pledge

After failing to reach a deal with housing advocates, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appealed a court ruling that ordered New York City to expand its housing voucher program, a move that departs from one of his key campaign pledges. Filed on Tuesday, the appeal puts Mamdani in the position once held by former Mayor Eric Adams, whose initial opposition sparked a legal battle that has stretched for nearly three years. In February, Mamdani indicated he no longer intended to support the program’s expansion due to the city’s projected $7 billion budget deficit, and after negotiations failed, his appeal now extends the legal battle indefinitely.
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March 12, 2026

Where to hear traditional Irish music in NYC

With St. Patrick's Day less than a week away, New Yorkers can tap into the city's rich Irish heritage at pubs and cultural institutions across the five boroughs. Beyond just March 17, many spots host weekly traditional Irish music nights, known as "trad" sessions, or seisiún in Irish, where skilled musicians gather to enliven barrooms with tunes. Whether you want to join in on fiddle or guitar, or simply enjoy the music with a Guinness in hand, here are some of the city’s best spots to listen to live traditional Irish music.
our picks here
March 6, 2026

New York law banning discrimination against Section 8 tenants struck down by judges

A New York appeals court on Thursday nullified a state law that prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants who use Section 8 to pay rent. The five-judge panel sided with a landlord who appealed a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Letitia James in 2022, arguing the law violated his constitutional rights because the program allows housing officials to inspect his properties without a warrant, violating the Fourth Amendment.
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