Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams made announcements furthering New York’s fight against illegal smoke shops and reforming cannabis sales. The legalization of cannabis has forced the city and state to navigate the development of a new economy with the implementation of strict regulations; the state rollout of licenses and process for siting new dispensaries have limited the number of legal dispensaries that have opened statewide. While the state continues to navigate … <Read More>
Mayor
Mayor and SBS Celebrate Business Improvement Districts with Almost $7 Million in Investments
On May 6, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim announced new investments to support business improvement districts (BIDs) and community-based organizations. Since 2022, the Adams administration has invested over $27 million for BIDs, merchant organizations, and other community-based development organizations.
City Launches Pilot Program to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Access Safe, Permanent Housing
On April 15, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced the launch of a new pilot program, “Project Home,” that will provide intensive specialized housing search assistance for permanent homes for domestic violence survivors with children who are currently in city shelters.
Proposed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Amendment to Help Faith-Based Orgs Build Affordable Housing
On March 22, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced details about the plan to assist faith-based organizations and other mission-based nonprofits to build affordable housing citywide. As part of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, the administration’s third proposed zoning text changes that will remove outdated and arbitrary language from the zoning text that will allow for the creation of more housing.
City Receives Over $120 Million in Grants for Queensway and BQE Projects
On March 13, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s acceptance of two federal grants worth a total of $123.6 million. The grants, “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program” and “Neighborhood Access and Equity Program” were issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will be used on the Queensway project and for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE).
Around $117 million of the federal grants will go towards developing further the Queensway, a … <Read More>