HPD Commissioner Vicki Been answering questions at the 130th CityLaw Breakfast. Image credit: CityLaw
The former HPD Commissioner will continue to work on affordability and economic opportunities for the City. On April 4, 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of former Department of Housing and Preservation Commissioner Vicki Been as the new Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. She succeeded Alicia Glen, who served in the position for five years.
Leonard Wasserman
Early in his adult life, Leonard Wasserman thought he would pursue a career in urban planning. His perspective changed, however, when he realized he was “better with words than colored pencils.” After college, Wasserman spent a little over a year at the Housing and Development Administration (the agency that later split into Buildings and HPD), but decided to take a leave from the ranks of the employed to attend Brooklyn Law School to focus on the legal aspects of urban planning and development. Upon graduation, he served as a law clerk in the Southern District and spent time in private practice. Wasserman then moved on to the Law Department, and became schooled in the art of public/private real estate transactions. In 1985 he was named Chief of the Economic Development Division. Since then,Wasserman has continued to support City Hall in its pursuit of its economic development goals.
It’s about jobs. When asked to describe the role of his Division, Wasserman first discussed economic development in general. He pulled out a copy of the state’s Not-for-Profit Corporation Law covering local development corporations, and explained that these corporations, principally the New York City Economic Development Corporation, are the arms through which the City often carries out its economic revitalization plans. Wasserman summed up the lengthy statutory section by simply stating “it’s about jobs.” Specifically, it’s about how to retain, attract, and grow jobs. In his view the importance of having a job cannot be overstated. Wasserman links jobs to the overall stability of a person and their community; without a job a person’s world “disintegrates,” and this can weaken the overall fabric of the community. (more…)
Image Credit: NYC HPD
On December 9, 2022, city officials celebrated the opening of the Tree of Life affordable housing development with representatives from First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation, Bluestone Organization and other project partners. The Tree of Life development is located at 89-46 164th Street. (more…)
Mayor Adams signs two bills on October 18, 2022. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
The two City Council measures will create a small business portal and require additional commercial property registration, respectively. On October 18, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams signed two bills, Intro 116 and Intro 383, to promote the city’s economic recovery. Intro 116 will help small business owners with City administrative needs and Intro 383 provides the city with more data about the extent of commercial vacancies citywide. (more…)
Council Member Marjorie Velazquez speaks at the Subcommittee hearing for the Bruckner Sites Rezoning application. Image Credit: City Council.
Located in a low-density area with few affordable homes, the four proposed apartment buildings would require a controversial rezoning. On September 7, 2022, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing to discuss a proposed rezoning in Throggs Neck, Bronx. If the rezoning is approved by the City Council, developer Throggs Neck Associates, LLC will construct four mixed-use apartment buildings at four different sites off the Bruckner Expressway. The project area is bordered by Bruckner Expressway to the south, Crosby Avenue to the east, Balcom Avenue to the west, and Meyers Street to the north. (more…)
