Reflections on the 2018 Charter Revision Process

The 2018 New York City Charter Revision Commission, appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, recommended three proposals, all of which were approved by the voters in the November 2018 general election.  The proposals related to campaign finance, civic engagement and community boards, and were largely a result of the Charter Revision Commission’s process that emphasized accessibility for all, including those who historically have not had their voices fully considered as part of the Charter revision … <Read More>


Edgemere Commons Developers Address Remaining Concerns at Council Hearing

Council Member Richards makes sure developers keep promises. On October 3, 2019, City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on Rockaway Limited Partnership’s application to redevelop the former Peninsula Hospital site into “Edgemere Commons.” The proposed development is located in Far Rockaway Queens, north of Rockaway Beach Boulevard, south of Beach Channel Drive east of Beach 53rd Street and west of Beach 50th Street.


De Blasio Administration Ends Homeowner Violations for Damage Caused by City Trees

The City will stop issuing violations to homeowners for damage caused by street trees. On September 10, 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the City will stop issuing violations to homeowners for damage caused by city street trees. Over the next three years, the Department of Transportation and Parks Department plans to boost sidewalk repairs under the Trees and Sidewalks program to address approximately 5,500 priority sites throughout the City.


City Planning Approves Two Applications to Facilitate the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project

The project is predicted to protect over 110,000 Lower Manhattan residents from flood and storm impacts. On September 23, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve two applications regarding the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project which addresses coastal flood vulnerabilities in Lower Manhattan. The project area is bounded by East 25th Street to the north, Montgomery Street to the south, and the East River to the east. The area runs along the FDR Drive … <Read More>


[UPDATE]: City Council Approves HPD Proposal to Develop Affordable Housing in Brownsville, Brooklyn

The three sites will have amenities for residents and are transit accessible. On September 25, 2019, the City Council voted to approve an application to develop affordable housing on three City-owned properties located in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  The properties are located at 47 New Lots Avenue, 609-615 Osborn Street, and 120-122 Liberty Avenue. The three properties are small, underutilized sites and are currently vacant. The application proposed the development of two residential buildings and one mixed-use … <Read More>


HPD and Non-Profit Seek Disposition of City-Owned Land to Develop Supportive and Affordable Housing in Bedford-Stuyvesant

The sustainable-design building would offer on-site supportive services and comes with several amenities for tenants. On July 31, 2019, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application to convert City-owned property at 776-780 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn to a nine-story affordable and supportive housing development. The applicant team is comprised of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, IMPACCT Brooklyn, and Urban Architectural Initiatives. To facilitate the development, the … <Read More>