City Council Approves Major Bay Street Corridor Plan with Modifications

Before reaching the City Council, the project received mixed support over concerns that the area was ill-equipped for the increased density. On June 26, 2019, City Council voted to approve with modifications an application that would help implement a major City-initiated plan to redevelop Staten Island’s Bay Street Corridor, which connects the St. George, Tompkinsville, and Stapleton neighborhoods. The comprehensive plan will redevelop the Bay Street Corridor into a walkable, transit-oriented community that provides … <Read More>


The Great Lawn Revisited

Corey Kilgannon of the New York Times wrote about the use of the Great Lawn in Central Park for OZYFEST, “a splashy weekend long event on July 20 and 21 with multiple stages and top tickets selling for $400.” (NY Times, 7/13/19) Portions of the Great Lawn will be closed to the public for nine days in order to accommodate the festival.  The use of the Great Lawn to facilitate a commercial venture raises the … <Read More>


First Phase of 700-Unit Affordable and Sustainable Development Project in East Harlem Announced

The project will be financed under an HPD program that requires low and extremely low-income affordability and set-asides for the formerly homeless. On June 27, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Housing Development Corporation (HDC,) L+M Development Partners, Jonathan Rose Companies, and Acacia Network announced finalized plans for the first stage of development of Sendero Verde in East Harlem in Manhattan. The site is located on 111th Street, … <Read More>


Bronx Playground Receives $8 Million Upgrade with Green Infrastructure

The playground provides new community amenities and improves the health of the Harlem River. On June 7, 2019, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the completion of an $8 million upgrade to Saw Mill Playground in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The playground is located on East 139th Street between Brook and Willis Avenues.


HPD, NYSHCR, Private Developers and Others Announce Opening of New 135-Unit Affordable Kingsbridge Heights Development

The newly-constructed $70.5 million housing project is affordable, energy efficient, and provides housing and supportive services to formerly homeless families. On May 22, 2019, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, Deputy Mayor for Housing Vicki Been, Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Louise Carroll, B&B Urban, L+M Development Partners and the Center for Urban Community Services announced the opening of a newly-constructed affordable housing development, Kingsbridge Heights Apartments<Read More>


Rockaway Beach Restored for Memorial Day Weekend

The stretch of beach was closed last summer due to heavy erosion. On May 14, 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio along with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the completion of the East Rockaway Inlet maintenance dredging project. The completion of the project will allow for the reopening of the stretch of beach from Beach 92nd<Read More>