On November 18, 2024, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that New Yorkers now have access to more public space on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. It builds on last year’s opening of “The Arches,” a stretch of public open space adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge, announced in honor of the 140th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge’s 1883 opening. The space’s name refers to the adjacent 53 arches along … <Read More>
Can Alternate Side Parking Be Fixed?
By Mark Chiusano
There are countless ways to demonstrate the forever-controversial nature of alternate side parking (ASP) in New York City, but only one involves Mayor Ed Koch’s voice whining from a mechanical street sweeper.
That was the gimmick the then-mayor unveiled in 1988 to encourage illegally parked cars to move, so the street sweepers could clean. “Get it outta here,” his tape-recorded voice implored.
It’s just one example of how alternate side parking – … <Read More>
DEP Starts Sweeping Meter Reader Upgrades
On December 2, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it has begun upgrading over 600,000 Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) devices across the city. The AMR device is a small gray box attached to the exterior of a property that wirelessly transmits readings from the water meter to the agency. The device upgrades will begin in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn and will continue over the next three years, providing … <Read More>
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 12/09/24
By Jeff Wice, Alexis Marking & Jennifer Hutz.
This week- Onondaga County Legislature Has a New Map, Nassau County Loses Motion to Dismiss Redistricting Challenge, New Report on Urban Voter Turnout, Let Non-Profits Assist in LUCAREDISTRICTING
Onondaga County Legislature Finally Has a New Map
After prolonged litigation, the Onondaga County Legislature approved a new map on a party line vote last week. Previously, a state supreme court judge held that the county failed … <Read More>
Q&A: Understanding the NYC Campaign Finance Board’s Public Matching Funds Payments
By Ben Max
Now that the presidential election is over, New Yorkers can turn to the 2025 municipal election. Party primaries will be in June, but a key milestone will be marked on December 16, 2024 when the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) issues the first public funds payments for the 2025 election. These matching funds — $8 for every dollar of eligible donations — can go a long way toward helping candidates … <Read More>
Proposed Council Bill To Notify About Deed Changes Targets Deed Fraud
Deceitful real estate practices are on the rise in New York City, so a proposed local law aims to protect property owners against the growing threat of deed fraud, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations such as residents of underprivileged neighborhoods and the elderly. On October 10, 2024, Council Member Nantasha Williams introduced Int. 1086, a bill mandating timely notifications of deed changes, thus empowering property owners to proactively protect their assets and fostering a … <Read More>