Jefferson Public Library. Image Credit: NYC DDC.

On July 14, 2022, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted celebrating the completion of a $10 million project for vital upgrades to the Jefferson Market Public Library located in Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan. This project began in 2019, is part of a $600 million project for capital improvements across the New York Public Library system and was led by the NYC Department of Design and Construction in conjunction with NSP Enterprises, Inc. and was designed by WXY Architecture + Urban Design. (read more…)

Two 20 inch water mains were installed from the mainland in Pelham Bay under Eastchester Bay to City Island. Image Credit: DDC.

Two new water mains were placed under Eastchester Bay. On July 20, 2022, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced the completion of a $34 million project dedicated to upgrading the drinking water for City Island, Bronx residents. The project began in 2019 and was substantially completed in December 2021 through the funding of the Department of Environmental Protection and the management of the Department of Design and Construction. (read more…)

Gabion baskets, pictured above, help provide support to the structure of the embankment following the completion of repairs from a damaging 2018 storm. Image Credit: DDC.

A 2018 nor’easter damaged Shore Road, resulting in a partial collapse of the embankment and damage to the roadway and walkway. On June 23, 2022, the Department of Design and Construction, elected officials, and community members celebrated the completion of a $4.9 million project to stabilize Shore Road, which runs along Little Neck Bay from West Drive to Bayview Avenue in Douglaston, Queens. (read more…)

The proposed zoning text amendment will help increase the available space for solar panels, among other things. Credit: NYC DEP

Mayor Adams proposed a new city amendment to reduce our carbon footprint by removing red tape around certain zoning codes. On June 1, 2022, New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, proposed three new citywide text amendments to improve the City’s equity, sustainability, and housing. Mayor Adams believes current zoning codes have certain restrictions that could be diminished or completely eliminated in order to fulfill these goals. One of the proposed amendments, “Zoning for Zero Carbon,” will attempt to (1) remove red tape in deploying new clean energy storages and uses, (2) facilitate building retrofits. (read more…)

Standing water after a storm at the corner of Bidwell and North Avenues shows an ongoing issue with faulty storm drainage in Westerleigh. The system upgrades aim to prevent ponding like this and worse from happening. Image Credit: NYC DDC.

On April 1, 2022, the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the start of a new drainage upgrade project in Westerleigh, Staten Island.  (read more…)