Mayor Adams Names Jessica Tisch as New NYPD Commissioner

On November 20, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Jessica Tisch as commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), effective November 25th. Tisch is the second woman to serve as NYPD Commissioner in the department’s 179-year history. The first, Commissioner Keechant Sewell, was also appointed under Mayor Adams; Tisch will be the fourth person to lead the NYPD since Adams took office in January 2022. Javier Lojan will serve as Acting … <Read More>


Could Public Space Stewards Help Make New York City More Livable?

By Mark Chiusano

For obvious reasons I was recently revisiting a small controversy over the usage of public space in a certain midtown Manhattan building: Trump Tower.

In 2016, Donald Trump and New York City went back and forth over whether the building had to keep some public benches in the lobby. During construction decades earlier, the tower had been allowed to rise higher in exchange for a little bit of public space (some of <Read More>


NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 11/04/24

This week- NYS Voting Rights Challenges, Court of Appeals on Absentee Voting,  What Happens After the Polls Close?, Summary of Ballot Proposals, Around the Nation- SCOTUS on VA & PA Voting

by Jeff Wice, Alexis Marking, Jennifer Hutz & Jordan Karpoff

N.Y. VOTING RIGHTS ACT LITIGATION

Orange County: Clarke et al. v. Town of Newburgh

This is an ongoing NYVRA action in a challenge filed by Black and Hispanic voters against the Town of Newburgh.… <Read More>


City Breaks Ground on New Stapleton Waterfront Esplanade

On September 13, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the ground breaking for the New Stapleton Waterfront, part of the City’s Staten Island North Shore Action Plan. The Staten Island North Shore Action Plan is a four-year plan that was announced in September 2023 by Mayor Adams and New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks. This $400 million investment aims to provide Staten Island’s North Shore with over 20 acres of public space, more … <Read More>


Charter Revision Commission Approves Ballot Proposals for November, Leaves Out Council Bill

On July 29, 2024, the 2024 New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) approved five ballot proposals following their final public meeting. The proposals include: clean streets, fiscal responsibility, capital planning, public safety, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and modernization of City operations.

Clean Streets

This proposal aims to strengthen New York City Department of Sanitation’s ability to keep New York City healthy, safe, and clean by enhancing and clarifying its authority.

The amendment provides … <Read More>


City Announces Official NYC Trash Bins for Sale as Part of Rat Mitigation Efforts

On July 8, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch showcased the New York City trash bin, that will be required in the future for properties with one to nine residential units as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce rat populations by limiting access to trash for rodents. At the press conference, Sanitation Commissioner Tisch stated, “people wonder why we have a … <Read More>