HPD Releases New Design Guidelines for Affordable Housing

The newly revised design guidelines will promote equity, health, and sustainability for affordable housing. On March 4, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development released newly revised design guidelines for affordable housing. The COVID-19 pandemic led the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to have stronger requirements to improve the standard of living, promote public health, and reduce the carbon footprint of New York City.


Mayor Announces John Scrivani as Expected Commissioner of Emergency Management

Scrivani is a 14-year veteran of the NYPD with extensive experience in emergency management. On March 17, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the expected appointment of John Scrivani as the Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management. The expected appointment follows the pending approval of current Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by the U.S. Senate. 


Mayor Appoints Meisha Porter as New DOE Chancellor as Richard Carranza Departs

Bronx Executive Superintendent Meisha Porter is the incoming Chancellor. On February 26, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Meisha Porter as the next Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education (“DOE”), the largest school system in the nation. Porter was appointed after Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced his resignation.



Mayor and SBS Launch “Shop Your City: BE NYC” to Support Local Black-Owned Businesses

The campaign aims to support businesses who have continued to serve their communities during the pandemic. On February 18, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced “Shop Your City: BE NYC,” a new targeted campaign aimed to encourage New Yorkers to support local Black-owned businesses. Between February and April 2020, Black businesses as a whole saw a 41 percent decrease in business activity. While the pandemic has hit all <Read More>


Mayor Announces Guidelines for Upcoming Open Culture Program

The newly announced program and its guidelines will allow artists and performers of all kinds to return to work safely. On February 8, 2021, Mayor de Blasio released guidelines for the upcoming Open Culture Program. The program will open up city streets for outdoor cultural performances and events throughout the five boroughs. The new program is modeled after a prior successful initiative lead by the city, the Open Streets Program. For CityLand’s prior … <Read More>