The first CityLand issue – October 15, 2004

Welcome to CityLand‘s first annual top ten stories of the year! We’ve selected the most popular and interesting stories in NYC land use news from our very first year as an online-only publication. We’ve been reporting on NYC land use for eight years and we’ll continue to provide in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2013.  The CityLand staff thanks you for your support and wishes you a happy new year!

1. NYU Campus Expansion Plan Reduced Again – NYU agreed to limit heights of the Zipper Building and Boomerang Buildings, and to provide community center if no public school is built on site.
2. Landmarking of Brinckerhoff Cemetery Proceeds to Council Vote Despite Owner’s Opposition – Owner of the vacant former cemetery site claimed she purchased the lot to build a home for herself, not knowing of the property’s history, and was not competently represented throughout the landmarking process.
3. City Council Rejects Sale of City Property in Hopes for an African Burial Ground Museum – Council Member Charles Barron lead the City Council’s rejection of 22 Reade Street sale in support of the site being used for a pending federally-funded African Burial Ground Museum.
4. Kickstarter Wins Landmarks’ Approval for Brooklyn HQ – Internet fundraising company plans to renovate dilapidated building in Greenpoint.
5. HDC: Proposed Legislation Would Undermine the Landmarks Preservation Commission by Simeon Bankoff.
6. Planning Approves Modified Chelsea Market Expansion Plan, Sends Back to Council for Full Vote – Affordable housing contribution would be used by nearby Fulton Houses if floor area bonus utilized.
7. City Council Tweaks Six-Acre Seward Park Redevelopment Plan Proposed for Area Along Delancey Street – The City agreed to increase number of housing units from 900 to 1,000 and set aside space for on-site public school.
8. Rudin’s St. Vincent’s Project Completes Public Review – After City Council modifications, Rudin returned to Landmarks for approval to enlarge and reuse Reiss Pavilion.
9. Court Finds City Discriminated in Housing Project – Judge enjoined City’s redevelopment proposal for area straddling Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant.
10. Project Adjacent to Whitney Museum Approved by Landmarks – Proposal, which includes two new buildings and a rooftop addition spanning six rowhouses, deemed appropriate after multiple revisions.