Cracked windowsill summons voided

City issued summons for hazardous cracked windowsill on sixth floor of building. On March 26, 2019, a Department of Buildings officer observed a cracked exterior windowsill on the sixth floor of a building owned by Aspen Companies on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. The officer testified that if water were to enter the crack and freeze, a piece of the windowsill would break off, fall six stories, and injure a pedestrian below. Buildings issued Aspen … <Read More>


Non-Essential Construction in the City is Suspended Due to COVID-19 Emergency

All construction permits will need to be active and renewed during the suspension period.  On March 30, 2020, the Department of Buildings announced that all work on non-essential construction and demolition sites is suspended for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Buildings made the decision to suspend such construction and demolition following Governor Andrew Cuomo’s amended executive order and the Empire State Development Corporation’s guidelines. The executive order, which required non-essential businesses <Read More>


City Offers Payment Plans and Deferral Programs for Property Tax Payments

Department of Finance looks to ease tax burden on homeowners through deferment programs and suspension of the annual tax lien sale. On March 24, 2020, the Department of Finance announced several measures intended to assist property owners with their tax payments amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. With unprecedented unemployment rates, many throughout the city will have difficulty paying their taxes come the close of the fiscal quarter and going forward. Each of the following programs is … <Read More>


New York City Adding and Converting Facilities to Alleviate Pressure on Hospital System

USNS Comfort and Billie Jean King Tennis Center to be utilized as Corona outbreak strains hospital system. On March 31. 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, Queens will be converted into a temporary hospital facility. The facility will hold up to 350 patients and will treat COVID non ICU patients beginning on April 7th, 2020. The conversion of this facility is intended to relieve … <Read More>


Mayor Announces Passage of New Energy Code

The new code aims to improve energy efficiency for new and existing buildings as part of its Green New Deal. On February 27, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the passage of a new law that will update the existing energy code citywide in the fight against global warming. Buildings are one of the city’s greatest emitters of carbon and older buildings tend to be less energy efficient. The city is taking an aggressive approach … <Read More>


Governor Andrew Cuomo Limits Activities to Essential Businesses, Small Businesses Feeling Impact

Governor Cuomo further encouraging New Yorkers to telecommute and stay home. On March 18, 2020,  the Empire State Development Corporation issued guidance for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order Number 202.6, which requires that to the maximum extent possible, all businesses and not-for profit entities throughout the state utilize work from home and telecommuting procedures. This executive order comes as an update to Executive Order 202, which, on March 7, 2020, declared a state of … <Read More>