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October 6, 2021

Yelp and Chasing Paper have a new wallpaper highlighting small businesses in NYC

Yelp has teamed up with home decor brand Chasing Paper to create a series of three wallpaper prints featuring beloved small businesses in San Francisco, NYC, and Austin, with 10 percent of proceeds benefitting a select charity in each city. The New York City print highlights spots like Amy Ruth's, Di Fara Pizza, Jim's Shoe Repair, and Books are Magic, and its sales will support Hot Bread Kitchen. The trio of fun wallpapers was designed by Amanda Giuffre of Noun New York.
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October 5, 2021

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

All of New York City's public libraries have permanently eliminated late fees and will not charge for overdue books and other materials starting Tuesday. This shift in policy, which was first established at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, aims to create a more equitable and open system for communities in need, according to an announcement by library officials. Combined, the city's three library systems, made up of over 200 branches, are now the largest municipality in the country to eliminate fees.
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September 27, 2021

New York announces $27M in Hurricane Ida aid for undocumented residents

Nearly a month after the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought record rainfall, more than $50 million in property damage, and claimed the lives of 13 city residents, New York officials announced a plan to provide financial assistance to undocumented residents affected by the storm. Announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday, the fund includes $27 million in city and state grants for New Yorkers who are ineligible for federal help because of their immigration status.
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September 22, 2021

27 affordable senior studios available in Jamaica, Queens, from $683/month

In Jamaica, Queens, an affordable housing lottery has launched for 27 studios set aside for those age 62+. Reserved for seniors earning 40 or 50 percent of the area median income, the units are renting for $522 or $683/month; there are also eight units for which applicants will pay 30 percent of their household income in rent. The building is located at 161-01 89th Avenue, just a few blocks from the E and F trains at Parson Avenue.
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September 7, 2021

Here’s how New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Ida can get help

President Joe Biden on Monday approved a major disaster declaration for New York, making federal funding available to residents and businesses in counties affected by flooding last week caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. According to an early estimate from state officials, Ida caused $50 million in damage to public property and to more than 1,200 residences. In addition to the financial relief provided by FEMA, there are several resources available to New Yorkers who need help in the aftermath of the storm, including temporary shelter, food and basic needs, and cash assistance.
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September 2, 2021

New York extends eviction moratorium until early 2022

The New York State Legislature on Wednesday extended a temporary freeze on evictions until early next year during a rare special session. Expected to protect hundreds of thousands of tenants who have faced financial hardships as a result of the pandemic, the move comes one day after the state's eviction moratorium expired and a week after the United States Supreme Court overturned the federal moratorium. Lawmakers also modified the moratorium so it complies with the court's decision, which found it inconsistent with due process laws. Most evictions in New York will now be on hold until January 15, 2022.
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August 31, 2021

Jean Nouvel’s condo tower 53W53 reveals lavish wellness amenities

The private club and wellness center at Jean Nouvel's residential tower in Midtown West is a work of art. New images of the lavish full-floor space at 53 West 53, which rises adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art, were released this week, unveiling for the first time the club's elegant gym, squash court, golf simulator, saunas, and 65-foot lap pool that is surrounded by a green wall made up of 3,500 plants.
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August 19, 2021

The world’s first air conditioner was invented in Brooklyn in 1902

Photo of Willis Carrier (left) courtesy of Wikipedia; Photo of air conditioners in NY building courtesy of Marcel Oosterwijk on Flickr It figures, but history shows us yet another way Brooklyn was cool, like, forever–though this particular example is a bit more literal. A classic New York City heatwave was just enough to turn up the Brooklyn ingenuity in a junior engineer named Willis Carrier, who devised a system of fans, ducts, heaters, and perforated pipes that became the world’s first air conditioner. The problem: blistering temperatures that were literally melting the equipment in a Williamsburg printing house. The solution was one that had eluded centuries of inventors through sweltering summers. The system was installed in the summer of 1902, according to the New York Times, and Carrier went on to found Carrier Corporation. He had hit on the idea while walking in the fog.
It's the humidity
August 9, 2021

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

Over 11,500 restaurants across New York City currently participate in the city's outdoor dining program, which launched last summer to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, seven of them were recognized for being the best examples of outdoor dining setups across the boroughs as part of the first-ever Alfresco Awards. The program, created by a group of local nonprofits, also acknowledged the city's best Open Streets, an initiative that closes streets to cars for pedestrian use.
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July 21, 2021

Under new Netflix management, historic Paris Theater will reopen next month

Midtown's Paris Theater is New York City's longest-running arthouse cinema and only remaining single-screen movie theater. On August 6th, the historic theater on 58th Street will hold its grand re-opening following a renovation that added new carpeting, drapes, and a marquee. After opening in 1948, the 571-seat theater closed in 2019 when its lease expired. But later that same year, Netflix announced that it reached a lease agreement to preserve the landmark and keep it open for "special events, screenings, and theatrical releases of its films."
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July 15, 2021

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

Affordable housing has long been a topic at the forefront of NYC politics, but it gained even more attention with Mayor de Blasio's plan to preserve or build 300,000 affordable units by 2026, which has resulted in a slew of new lotteries, a new more user-friendly web portal, and an update to ease the process for immigrants and low-income New Yorkers. But the topic is not without its issues, especially with the city reeling in the wake of the pandemic. Many still wonder if the city is doing enough for affordability and if some of the available units are really affordable. Ahead, we break down the different types of affordable housing programs, how you can qualify and apply, and what happens if and when you get in.
Everything you need to know about affordable housing
July 14, 2021

The 7 best beaches for surfing near NYC

Whether you're a seasoned surfer or are looking to learn the sport, you don't have to go far from New York City to ride some waves. Ahead, we've rounded up the seven best beaches in the area for surfing, from the Rockaways, NYC's only legal surfing beach, to spots on Long Island and the Hamptons to the greatest of the Jersey Shore. We'll also fill you in on other things to do in these towns and where to rent boards or take lessons.
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July 13, 2021

Climate change-themed mini-golf course opens at Two Trees’ waterfront site in Williamsburg

On the site of a proposed mixed-use development in Williamsburg, a temporary climate change-themed miniature golf course has opened. Two Trees Management on Monday announced visitors can now enjoy Putting Green, an 18-hole course designed by local groups that focuses on sustainability and climate issues, as well as a 25,000-square foot sustainable farm. The pop-up mini-golf course sits on the future site of the developer's project "River Ring," which includes two huge towers designed by Bjarke Ingels with more than 1,050 units of housing, a new YMCA, and a public beach.
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July 12, 2021

See the 900-unit affordable complex designed by Adjaye Associates coming to East Flatbush

A 900 unit affordable housing complex with public green space and community amenities is coming to Brooklyn's East Flatbush neighborhood. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced the state selected the proposal to redevelop 7.2 acres of the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center Campus following a request for proposals last summer. Designed by Sir David Adjaye's Adjaye Associates and Studio Zewde, the $400 million project includes affordable and supportive housing, senior housing, opportunities for homeownership, and two new homeless shelters that will replace existing, outdated ones.
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July 7, 2021

NYC replaces Trump Organization as operator of Central Park’s Wollman Rink

A joint venture made up of businesses and some nonprofit groups will run Central Park's Wollman Rink, officially replacing the Trump Organization as the operator, the city's Parks Department announced on Tuesday. Earlier this year, the agency issued requests for proposals to operate and manage Wollman Rink and the Central Park Carousel, both of which were formerly run by President Donald Trump's company. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would terminate any agreements with the organization following the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
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June 17, 2021

100 books with transgender, nonbinary, & gender nonconforming voices to read this Pride Month

The New York Public Library this month has released a new list of reading recommendations to commemorate Pride. Curated by expert librarians across the system, the book list includes 100 titles for adults, children, and teens that highlight transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming voices. The new recommendations join the NYPL's previous recommended LGBTQ reads, which vary in genre, from memoirs to manga.
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June 11, 2021

19 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in New York City

Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, and it has been marked by African Americans across the country for more than 150 years. Last year, Governor Cuomo made Juneteenth an official state holiday, and Mayor de Blasio made it a city and school holiday. On this occasion of the holiday's first official year being observed, we've put together a list of events throughout New York City that celebrate and honor this sacred day, from film screenings and musical performances to panel discussions to walking tours.
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June 4, 2021

After $200M overhaul, NYPL’s central circulating library opens in Midtown with public rooftop terrace

The New York Public Library this week opened a new central circulating library in Midtown following a major $200 million renovation project. Located at 455 Fifth Avenue, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) was built within the shell and steel frame of the existing building formerly known as the Mid-Manhattan Library. Designed by Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo in collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, the new 180,000 square foot library boasts a dramatic light-filled atrium and an incredible rooftop terrace, which is now the only free and publicly accessible rooftop in Midtown.
Details here
June 3, 2021

NYC to launch vaccination pilot at public schools for students 12+

New York City will open coronavirus vaccination sites at certain public schools as part of a pilot program aimed at increasing the number of young people who are vaccinated. The program will start at four schools in the Bronx on Friday with one school added each in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week. In the next few weeks, the city expects to expand the program.
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May 27, 2021

An Italian spa with outdoor thermal pools will open on Governors Island this summer

A luxury European day spa will open on Governors Island this summer. From the same group behind Italy's QC Terme Spa & Resorts, QC NY features outdoor thermal pools facing the Manhattan skyline, relaxation rooms, steam rooms and saunas, and a wellness-focused cafe. An official opening date has not been released but is expected to be announced soon.
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May 25, 2021

All the food and flea markets reopening this year

The city is slowly but surely coming to life again, and one of the ways New Yorkers can safely get out and about this summer is at one of the many food or flea markets that are reopening. From old standbys like the Grand Bazaar on the Upper West Side and Brooklyn Flea to newcomers like Fordham Flea and Smorgasburg Jersey City, there's a little something for everyone, whether you're looking for international cuisine, vintage clothing, or handmade housewares. Ahead, we've rounded up 13 markets you can visit, with more expected to announce opening dates soon.
The full list here
May 7, 2021

Brooklyn Public Library reveals Central Library redesign by Toshiko Mori

This week, the Brooklyn Public Library revealed the first phase of a major remodel of its Central Library on Grand Army Plaza. Designed by renowned architect Toshiko Mori, the undertaking was the single largest renovation and restoration in the Central Library’s 80-year history. The modern, light-filled rooms now provide more accessible space for the public, which includes civic commons for community engagement (providing city and passport services), a "new and noteworthy" book gallery, and an enlarged and modernized business and career center.
Take a tour
April 30, 2021

NYPL celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors

To mark Asian American Pacific Islander Month in May, the New York Public Library this week released a recommended reading list featuring books written by AAPI authors. The curated list includes books for adults, young adults, and children that "celebrate and foster a better understanding of the AAPI experience," according to the library.
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April 30, 2021

NYC’s Open Streets program to be made permanent under new legislation

The popular program that closed streets to cars for pedestrian use will be made permanent under legislation passed by the New York City Council on Thursday. The "Open Streets" initiative first launched last spring as a way to make social distancing easier and to reduce crowds at parks during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the city. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, would provide some funding and resources to the largely volunteer-led program while ensuring the open streets are fairly allocated among communities.
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