UPDATED: City to Implement Up to 100 Miles of Safe Streets

The plan will aim to add 100 miles of open streets, widened sidewalks and protected bike lanes. Note: This article has been updated to continuously reflect the added streets as those announcements are made. Please continue to check back for further updates.

On April 27, 2020, the Mayor’s Office announced a plan along with Council Speaker Corey Johnson to implement street closures, sidewalk widening, and the addition of bike lanes as part of the City’s <Read More>


City Announces Illegal Fireworks Task Force and July 4th Fireworks Celebrations

The Macy’s Fireworks announcement comes on the same day as the creation of an illegal fireworks task force. On June 23, 2020, Mayor de Blasio established a task force to investigate illegal fireworks sales following a large increase in complaints about the increase of illegal firework use across the City. All types of consumer fireworks are prohibited in New York City. 


City Beaches to Reopen July 1

Visitors are still encouraged to maintain social distancing measures on beaches. On June 24, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City’s 8 public beaches will reopen for swimming starting on July 1, with social distancing precautions still in place. Lifeguards will be on duty every day from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, but the Mayor reminds the public that swimming is strictly prohibited when lifeguards are not present.


UPDATED: Playgrounds Reopen as Part of Phase 2

Over 1000 playgrounds will be reopened and cleaned, but equipment will not be sanitized. On June 18, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that playgrounds would be reopened as part of Phase 2, which began Monday, June 22nd. While NYC parks generally remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities within parks were closed and restrictions were placed to limit the activity allowed in parks in an effort to stop overcrowding and the spread of <Read More>


Mayor Directs DOT to Administer Open Restaurants Plan Ahead of Phase 2 Reopening

Today marks NYC’s official Phase 2 reopening. On June 22, 2020, New York City officially entered Phase 2 of the State’s COVID-19 reopening plan. In preparation for the reopening, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order directing the Department of Transportation, with aid from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Small Business Services, to administer the “Open Restaurants” plan. The Open Restaurants plan will generally permit restaurants and bars … <Read More>


Airbnb and City Settle Lawsuit About Reporting User Information

Questions about transient use and multiple dwelling law linger after City and Airbnb’s settlement. On June 12, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Airbnb announced a settlement of their lawsuit regarding Local Law 146 of 2018. Local Law 146 of 2018 requires users of short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, to file reports with the City detailing individual host and transaction information. In their initial filings, Airbnb and the other associated parties expressed concern about data … <Read More>