Governor Announces Dedication of State Park to LGBTQ Civil Rights Activist Marsha P. Johnson

First ever state park dedicated to a LGBTQ person. On August 14, 2020, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the dedication of East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to LGBTQ activist Marsha P. Johnson. The dedication comes on Johnson’s seventy-fifth birthday and marks the first state park dedicated to LGBTQ person and a transgender woman of color. Marsha P. Johnson State Park is a seven-acre waterfront park located along the East River. It … <Read More>


DEP Announces Construction of Stormwater Collection System in Westchester County

City prioritizes safe drinking water with infrastructure investment. On July 23, 2020, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced that during the first week of August, construction of a stormwater collection system near the Cross River Reservoir would commence. The stormwater collection system is intended to enhance reservoir protections by capturing runoff, sediment and nutrients from a 9.3-acre drainage area in the town of Bedford. The venture is projected to cost nearly $1.1 … <Read More>


Upgraded Storm Sewers to be Installed in Richmond, Staten Island

The project aims to relieve street flooding in the neighborhood. On July 9, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and the NYC Department of Design and Construction announced a $6 million project to upgrade storm sewer infrastructure in the neighborhood of Richmond, Staten Island. The project began in January 2020, and is scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2021.


New York City Council Approves Two Bills Limiting Third-Party Delivery Service Fees

Council Bills intended to support the restaurant industry and small business. On May 13, 2020 the New York City Council voted to approve two bills intended to restrict the amount of fees third-party delivery services can charge restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurant closures. Intro 1898-A, which essentially prevents fees to restaurants when no actual transaction results, was approved with 47 votes in the affirmative and three votes in the negative. Intro 1908-B, which … <Read More>


Century-Old West Tremont Avenue Step Street Restoration Complete

The Step Street renovation took approximately two years to complete. On April 7, 2020, the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Transportation announced that the restoration of West Tremont Avenue Step Street, connecting Cedar Avenue to Sedgwick Avenue, has been completed. The project was funded by Transportation and managed by Design and Construction. The restoration of the century-old stairs cost $7 million.


Sunnyside Yard Master Plan Released by City and Amtrak

The plan calls for 100 percent affordable housing with emphasis on lowest incomes, transportation, new parks and open space. On March 4, 2020, the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced Mayor Bill de Blasio’s and Amtrak’s Sunnyside Yard Master Plan. The Plan’s framework will focus on building new public transit and making all housing affordable, especially for New Yorkers earning less than $50,000 per year. Sunnyside Yard is bounded by Northern Boulevard to … <Read More>