City Celebrates Launch of Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering

On April 15, 2024, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman, New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola, Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, Councilmember Inna Vernikov, CUNY Kingsborough Community College Interim President Suri Duitch, and community members celebrated the creation of the Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering. The goal of this office will be to keep New … <Read More>


DOB Issues Advice After Historic Flooding from Ida

New Yorkers should be on the lookout for mold and structural damage, and take caution. On September 2, 2021, the Department of Buildings advised New Yorkers on actions to take after the remains of Hurricane Ida brought record-breaking rains and flash flooding across the city. Heavy flooding can result in structural damage, undermining, hazardous mold, and the deterioration of building electrical and gas plumbing systems.


Small Food Manufacturers Discussed Common Business Hazards at Community Meeting

Work space, affordable insurance, and information access among chief concerns of small Brooklyn food and beverage manufacturers. On February 26, 2013, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Council Member Stephen Levin hosted an event for local food and beverage manufacturing businesses at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The organizers sought to give Brooklyn entrepreneurs a chance to raise issues related to starting and growing a successful food-based small business. Organizers hoped to take the … <Read More>


Dept. of City Planning Releases “Principle of Good Urban Design” Guidebook

On March 4, 2024, the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick announced the release of the ‘Principles of Good Urban Design’, an illustrated guidebook that strives to make New York City’s urban design principles clear and understandable to the public. The goal of the guidebook is to inspire all New Yorkers to put the principles of good urban design into action in their own communities.


DOB Announces Penalties for Over 400 Property Owners for Late Parking Structure Report Submissions

On January 18, 2024, the Department of Buildings announced that over 400 property owners had received initial penalties for failing to submit required engineering inspection reports for parking structures located on their properties. Through the Periodic Inspection for Parking Structure (PIPS) program, 1,056 properties in Lower Manhattan, Midtown, and the Upper West Side were required to submit inspection reports to the Department of Buildings before January 1, 2024. 


HPD Fines Landlord $150K for Failure to Comply With Lead Laws

On January 10, 2024, the New York City Department Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced that they obtained civil penalties amounting to $150,000 against Ezriel Weinberger and affiliates for their failure to comply with lead-based paint laws across ten properties. These penalties concern lead-based paint offenses in over 790 units located across the Bronx and Manhattan. Each property incurred fines of $15,000.