DDC Announces Completion of Restoration of Staten Island Supreme Court Building Front Steps

July 21, 2023

On July 18, 2023, the Department of Design and Construction announced the completion of a $5.2 million restoration of the front steps of the Staten Island Supreme Court building. The courthouse, located at 18 Richmond Terrance in St. George, is a historic landmark. The courthouse was designated in March 1982. The French Renaissance-style temple-fronted building was designed in 1913 by Carrere & Hastings.

City Launches Live Operator Tenant Hotline

July 20, 2023

The live helpline replaces the former helpline where tenants left messages and received callbacks. On July 17, 2023, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) launched a live operator Tenant Helpline to better assist tenants experiencing housing crises. The new live call system will be a critical resource for New Yorkers facing eviction, harassment, or unacceptable living conditions and represents PEU’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving tenant support structures established during the pandemic.

DEP and DDC Complete $54 Million Project to Improve Stormwater Management in Gowanus

July 19, 2023

On July 12, 2023, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas J. Foley, and Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi announced the completion of a $54 million project to install new storm sewers along 3rd Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The mile-long storm sewers along Third Avenue are located between Carroll and State Streets and from 3rd to 4th Avenues for each of the east/west … <Read More>

Comptroller Proposes City Establish Housing First Program in Response to Audit of Failed Outcomes of Encampment Sweeps

July 18, 2023

A new audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander found that the Adams Administration’s homeless sweeps failed to meet their goals and proposes that NYC establish a large-scale “Housing First” program instead. On June 28, 2023, City Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)’s role in the Adams Administration’s sweeps of homeless encampment sites between March and November 2022. The audit found that the sweeps failed to meet their primary … <Read More>

Council Passes Two Bills to Further Strengthen City’s Lead Laws

July 17, 2023

On July 13, 2023, the City Council passed Int. 193-A and Int. 200-A, two bills aimed to further improve the city’s laws to prevent lead poisoning.

DOT Announces Second Round of 2023 Open Streets

July 14, 2023

On June 26, 2023, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced a second round of 2023 Open Streets, which will add 13 new Open Street locations throughout the City. Open Streets is a program that temporarily transforms busy city streets into a car-free oasis for pedestrians, cyclists and children engaging in recreational activities. The Open Streets program encourages utilizing streets in new ways that make them more accessible and enjoyable for all New Yorkers.