The Council passed the bill the same day Governor Hochul announced additional state measures to address illegal smoke shops. On June 22, 2023, the City Council Committee on Public Safety passed a new bill to address New York City’s ongoing problem with unlicensed smoke shops. Int. 1001-B (2023), sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman from Queens, will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to an unlicensed tenant who sells controlled substances or … <Read More>
BID’s liability goes to trial
Pedestrian injured in slip and fall on City-owned land under maintenance of the Business Improvement District. The City of New York owns a plaza located near 54-55 Myrtle Avenue in Queens. The plaza is a small park-like area and contains a winding sidewalk lined with trees and other landscape. The City contracted with the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District to maintain the plaza, including the maintenance of its sidewalk.
Transportation Expands E-Scooter Share Program to Eastern Queens
On June 15, 2023, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that the city’s popular Bronx e-scooter share program will expand to eastern Queens in 2024. The decision to expand the e-scooter share program follows the program’s early success, which saw over two million trips taken by 115,470 users in the Bronx since the program launched in August 2021.
COMMENTARY: CityLaw Breakfasts Return to New York Law School
Here is welcome news. This Fall CityLaw Breakfasts will return to in-person breakfasts at the Events Center at New York Law School. Covid-19 compelled the Law School to go remote and the CityLaw Breakfasts followed into cyberspace. The Law School has in the interim rebuilt the sound and video systems in the large and comfortable Events Center on the second floor of the Law School. We will be back with in-person breakfasts this Fall.
DSNY Launches New Rule Requiring Trash Containerization for Food-Related Businesses
On June 28, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the finalization of a new administrative rule requiring food-related businesses to put trash in secure containers. The announcement is the newest part of the city’s efforts to combat rodent infestations.
Landmarks Designates Three Buildings Tied to Jazz History
On June 27, 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate three buildings connected to jazz history. The buildings are 105-19 37th Avenue in Corona, Queens, 935 St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, and the Hotel Cecil & Minton’s Playhouse building at 206 West 118th Street in Harlem.