Ross Sandler

Civic Fame is the colossal, 25-foot tall gilded female figure in a flowing robe who stands barefoot on a sphere at the top of the Municipal Building overlooking City Hall. Civic Fame, created in 1913 by sculptor Adolph Weinman, carries a five-sectioned crown representing the five boroughs, and a shield and laurel branch representing victory and triumph.

On May 1, 2015, the statue also became the name of a new award by New York Law School. The annual Civic Fame award will honor individuals who have made significant and long term contributions to the civic life of New York City. The four initial honored awardees include a private business leader who accepted major civic assignments, a foundation executive who devoted herself to developing innovative civic programs, a Law Department lawyer who represents the best in the legal profession, and a younger NYLS graduate who has given special service to the Center for New York City Law.  Each awardee received a unique certificate bearing the striking image of Civic Fame.

Ross Sandler

On this 20^th anniversary of the Center for New York City Law many thanks are due

Harry Wellington, former Dean of New York Law School, along with the faculty of New York Law School, embraced the idea that the government of New York City was a worthy academic subject. Dean Anthony Crowell continues that enthusiastic support.

Center for NYC Law at New York Law School: 1995-2015.

On Friday, May 1, 2015, the Center for New York City Law will commemorate its 20th Anniversary at its 125th CityLaw Breakfast.  This will be a wonderful event; details are below and you still have time to RSVP by clicking here.

Jeffrey A. Kroessler, City Club of New York

The Castle on the Concourse is doomed. Had any other owner of a designated landmark abandoned his property to the elements like this, the Landmarks Preservation Commission would have sued him for “demolition by neglect.” But here the commission is helpless. The owner is the City of New York, and while the city fully expects owners of designated properties – private homeowners, businesses, landlords, or institutions – to adhere to standards set by the LPC, the city exempts itself from any such regulation. In such cases, the Landmarks Commission is only advisory, its pronouncements mere opinion.

Victor Gotbaum, 1921-2015. Image courtesy of Mark Benoit

Much has been said about Victor Gotbaum’s many contributions to our country, and to our city in particular.  His place among the legends of organized labor is secure; his position as a master negotiator while helping save NYC from bankruptcy has been acknowledged; and his fierce defense of the working class and those trying join it has been well-documented.

I will not revisit his many accomplishments here – others have already done that and thankfully so, because while history is permanent, it is also quiet, and the story of why Victor Gotbaum was who he was is a loud, somewhat profane and none-too-gentle narrative.  We should all learn from it.

Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council

In March 2015, the City Planning Commission announced a proposal called Zoning for Affordability and Quality, which broadly calls for three principal changes in the current citywide zoning resolution. The plan proposes to change and enlarge definitions of senior housing to include more types of housing providers than currently permitted. It also proposes to increase buildable space for senior housing in some instances. The proposal also seeks to lessen or some instances no longer mandate parking requirements for designated affordable housing units or senior housing based on their proximity to mass transit. Finally, the proposal recommends raising the streetwall and building height limits from 10 – 20% within medium- and high-density contextual residential zones. The agency rationale for the proposal is to provide better development opportunities within the city which more fully utilize sites full allowable bulk. The agency further explains that by loosening building envelope and parking regulations especially for senior and quality housing developments, more housing inventory will be created to help address the city’s need for these kinds of housing. The City Planning Commission is accepting comments on the draft scope of the environmental review for the proposal until April 30 2015 and, according to the agency’s projected timelines, hopes to bring the final proposal forward for public review and discussion in the early Fall.