On February 1, 2023, the Department of City Planning updated the progress of the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health program with a new report, “FRESH By the Numbers.”. The Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (“FRESH”) program gives property owners the ability to construct slightly larger buildings in certain districts if the building includes a FRESH supermarket. The program targets neighborhoods that often lack access to fresh produce and other groceries, which … <Read More>
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Mayor Celebrates Opening of “90 Sands” Affordable Housing Development
The former Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel has been converted into nearly 500 affordable and supportive housing units. On November 3, 2022, Mayor Adams, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) joined nonprofit Breaking Ground to celebrate the opening of 90 Sands, a former hotel converted into 491 affordable and supportive housing units in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
Small Business Services Awards $3.8 Million in Nonprofit Grants
Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.
City Council Approves Two Amendments Promoting Health and Fitness
In December 2021, the City Council voted to approve two applications proposed by the City to promote health, fitness and support small businesses. For CityLand’s prior coverage, click here.
Mayor’s Office Announces Jay Street Busway to be Permanent
DOT data shows increase in speeds along the busway by 47 percent. On November 19, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman announced that the Jay Street Busway in Downtown Brooklyn will now be permanent. The busway runs on Jay Street between Tillary Street and Livingston Street. The busway was in a pilot program as part of the Better Buses Restart Plan since August 2020.
City Planning Commission Approves Two Amendments Promoting Health and Fitness
Commissioners raised concerns about the removal of special permits as a way to vet out illegitimate massage parlors. On October 20, 2021, the City Planning Commission voted to approve two applications proposed by the City to support small businesses and promote healthy food options and fitness. The two applications, the FRESH Program Expansion and the Health and Fitness Text Amendment, were part of a series of zoning proposals proposed earlier this year.