The program began as a way to provide more public space during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 29, 2021, the City Council voted to pass Int. 1933-A, a bill to make a permanent Open Streets program. The Open Streets program closes streets for a given time period to provide pedestrians and cyclists with open street space free of vehicular traffic.
Staten Island’s Faber Park Receives $6.5 Million in Renovations
The improvements to Faber Park provide a more open and welcoming experience and assists in the Department of Parks and Recreation’s goal to create a more equitable park system. On April 22, 2021, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Silver announced the completion of improvements to Faber Park in the Richmond Terrace neighborhood in Staten Island. Funded by Mayor de Blasio and Council Member Deborah Rose, the improvements to Faber Park come … <Read More>
New City Program to Assist Restaurants in Accessing Federal Grants
The Fair Share NYC: Restaurants Program helps to provide funds to restaurants that were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic by connecting them to federal grants. On April 28, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Small Business Services announced the launch of Fair Share NYC: Restaurants. This new program will help connect restaurants to federal relief funds.
City Takes First Steps in Exploration of Geothermal Utility Services
Geothermal heating and cooling are a very efficient and environmentally clean technology and energy that has been in use for decades but has gone underutilized by New York City. On April 21, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced the first steps that will be taken to advance New York City’s transition to district geothermal systems. These geothermal systems will help replace fuel oil and natural gas, fundamentally changing how New York City heats and cools its … <Read More>
City Planning Launches Open House Webpage for Public Engagement with Four Future Bronx Metro-North Stations
The Department’s ongoing study uses community feedback to assess land use needs in the East Bronx. On April 30, 2021, the Department of City Planning released a new public engagement website for four new future Metro-North train stations in the east Bronx. The Metro-North Stations are planned for the Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park and Co-Op City neighborhoods and will connect with Penn Station and locations further north. Currently, there is information for the … <Read More>
City Council Passes Three Bills for Tenants Rights to Counsel and Privacy
Free representation in housing court for low income tenants will now be available citywide. On April 29, 2021, the City Council passed three bills advancing tenants rights. Two of the bills focus on expanding the right to counsel in housing court for tenants citywide and an outreach program to notify tenants of their rights. The third bill focuses on tenant data privacy. All three bills were sponsored by Council Member Mark Levine.