475 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn. Image credit: Google Maps.
New owner of a Brooklyn loft building demanded that resident vacate his parking space. Andrew Ohanesian, an artist, is the tenant of loft Unit 709, located at 475 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn. Ohanesian signed a one-year lease with the building’s prior owner in February 2009 and has lived in the building ever since. The prior owner verbally agreed that Ohanesian could use a designated parking space in the loading bay area of the building for an additional $180 a month. Ohanesian included the $180 parking charge in his rent payment each month from February 2009 through February 2017. All the invoices he received from the prior owner reflected the charge for $180.
Houses on West 217th Street demonstrate the suburban character of the proposed historic district. Image Credit: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
The proposed historic district highlights homes with suburban characteristics rarely found in Manhattan. On September 25, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted to calendar the proposed Park Terrace West-West 217th Street Historic District in the Inwood section of Manhattan. The proposed historic district consists of fifteen houses along West 217th Street between Park Terrace West and Park Terrace East and along Park Terrace West between West 215th Street and West 218th Street.
Five of the seven buildings calendared for designation. Image Credit: Google Maps
The buildings feature various architectural styles and were home to garment manufacturers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On September 25, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted to add seven buildings to its calendar for consideration as individual landmarks. The buildings are located at 817 Broadway, 826 Broadway, 830 Broadway, 832 Broadway, 836 Broadway, 840 Broadway, and 841 Broadway. All of the buildings are south of Union Square in Manhattan.
Ross Sandler, Center for New York City Law Director
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Charter Revision Commission released its report on September 4, 2018 with three recommendations that will be on the ballot on November 6, 2018: downward adjustment of campaign contribution limits for City elected officials to reduce the influence of large contributors; a new commission to encourage greater civic engagement; and term limits and appointment procedures for community boards. All are worthy of concern, but none reach the level of major charter change.
The new affordable housing development will also include a community space that houses a local church and a non-profit organization. On October 4, 2018, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Housing Development Corporation announced the start of the construction of a 79-unit affordable housing development on a previously vacant city-owned lot in Harlem. HPD and HDC partnered with Lemor Development, TD Bank, Street Corner Resources, and the Downtown Baptist Church of Christ for the project. The project seeks to create a mixed-income affordable housing and a new commercial and community facility space.
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