Parent of two and one-half-year-old child found with elevated lead levels sued landlord. On September 13, 2004, a two and one-half-year-old child was diagnosed with lead poisoning after a test revealed his blood lead level to be four times greater than the City’s guideline. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the child’s apartment located at 1727-29 Walton Avenue in the Bronx and discovered 47 positive findings of lead paint and 29 readings which … <Read More>
UPDATED: (11/10) – Community Boards Begin Vote on Permanent Open Restaurants Program Text Amendment
This tracker will continue to be updated as more community boards issue their decisions. Last year, the Open Restaurants program allowed restaurants to temporarily expand their operations to sidewalk and roadway cafes without the lengthy review process to provide safe outdoor dining options during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is currently valid through 2022, but a zoning text amendment currently in the public review process aims to make the Open Restaurants program permanent. For CityLand… <Read More>
Commentary: Annette Gordon-Reed: On Juneteenth
Annette Gordon-Reed, our friend and colleague for 17 years at New York Law School, has just published On Juneteenth (Liveright 2021), a personal and readable story of her growing up in Texas in the 1970’s. Gordon-Reed grew up in Conroe, Texas where her family regularly celebrated Juneteenth. Gordon-Reed was the first Black child to integrate a White elementary school in her city. Through her personal story Gordon-Reed annotates and re-calibrates the conventional story of slavery … <Read More>
Brooklyn Bridge Bike Path Completed, Open for Use
The new bike lane is the first reconfiguration of the Brooklyn Bridge since 1950. On September 14, 2021, the new two-way protected bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge was completed and open for use. The new bike lane provides protection for cyclists and pedestrians, who now have exclusive access to the promenade where the bike lane previously was located. For CityLand’s prior coverage of this project, click here.
CIty Council Votes to Require NYCHA to Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The bill furthers the City’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions citywide. On August 26, 2021, the City Council voted to approve a bill that requires the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to report the greenhouse gas emissions for NYCHA’s buildings. Int. 2283-A, sponsored by Council Member Helen Rosenthal, aims to promote transparency and further the City’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions citywide. The bill helps strengthen the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas … <Read More>
DOB Announces Homeowner Relief Program
Violations for illegal conversions or violations associated with injury or death will not qualify. On September 1, 2021, the Department of Buildings announced the first homeowner relief program in New York City to help property owners of one- and two-family houses. The program’s goal is to help small property owners avoid fines by giving them time to fix DOB violations. The program has education initiatives for homeowners about their legal requirements as property owners without … <Read More>