On February 12, 2025, the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development announced that the online application for the J-51 R program, formally J-51, is now open. Since 2009, the J-51 tax relief program has resulted in the rehabilitation of more than 3,200 buildings, consisting of over 143,000 homes. In December 2024, the City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development created the updated version of J-51, “J-51 R”, available to property owners and … <Read More>
Dependent on Immigrant Workforce, City Hospitality Industry Concerned About ICE Raids
By Mark Chiusano
On the same day last month that heavily armed federal agents gathered for a widely-publicized immigration raid in the Bronx, the New York City Hospitality Alliance sent out an email with the subject line “What To Do if ICE Knocks on Your Door.”
For President Donald Trump’s new administration, the day was full of bombast, with new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem riding along and talking about getting “dirtbags” off the streets.… <Read More>
City Requests Proposals for Affordable Housing, Library Project in the Bronx
On January 28, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other critical stakeholders announced they are accepting requests for proposals from interested developers to further a project to build a new library with 100 percent affordable housing where the Grand Concourse Library is currently located in the Bronx.
DOT Opens E-Bike Trade-In Program Applications for Food Delivery Workers
On January 27, 2025, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced applications New York City’s e-bike trade-in program are now open. The program allows eligible food delivery workers to trade in an uncertified electric bicycle (e-bike) or non-street legal moped for a safer UL-certified e-bike and UL-certified spare battery for free.
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 2/10/25
By Jeff Wice, Jarret Berg, Alexis Marking & Michael Athy
This week: Upcoming Voter Registration/Change Deadline, Local Courts Resume Hearing State Voting Rights Challenges. Attorney General Preclears Local Poll Changes, Budget Hearing Proposals, Senate Elections Committee Meets; Congressional Election Calendar Change; Electing N.Y.s Lt. Governor, Alabama Redistricting Trial
Voter Registration and Party Change Deadline is February 14th
Eligible New York voters must be enrolled in a political party to participate in a party … <Read More>
‘If You Build It, They Will Come’: City’s Chief Public Realm Officer Outlines Progress, Priorities
By Mark Chiusano
Ya-Ting Liu was appointed New York City’s inaugural chief public realm officer two years ago this month. How has the realm changed so far during her tenure?
That was the subject of Liu’s talk at New York Law School’s 196th CityLaw Breakfast on Wednesday, during which she described well-used public space as “the secret sauce of cities” and how she thinks pedestrians should be “the main character” in New York City design. … <Read More>