Sidewalk sheds stay up for an average of over 500 days, but some stay up for several years. On July 24, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo announced “Get Sheds Down,” an overhaul of the rules relating to sidewalk construction sheds (scaffolding). While the sheds are required for construction, facade inspections, and repairs, existing laws often enable property owners to leave up the construction sheds for a long time, and … <Read More>
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Landmarks Approves Rules to Improve Application Process for Upgrading Protected Properties
On July 11, 2023, Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved rules to expedite and simplify the application process for property owners seeking agency approval for certain upgrades to landmarked properties. The new rules will widen the scope of applications that staff can approve, eliminating the need for review by the full Commission at a public hearing.
DDC Announces Completion of Restoration of Staten Island Supreme Court Building Front Steps
On July 18, 2023, the Department of Design and Construction announced the completion of a $5.2 million restoration of the front steps of the Staten Island Supreme Court building. The courthouse, located at 18 Richmond Terrance in St. George, is a historic landmark. The courthouse was designated in March 1982. The French Renaissance-style temple-fronted building was designed in 1913 by Carrere & Hastings.
City Launches Live Operator Tenant Hotline
The live helpline replaces the former helpline where tenants left messages and received callbacks. On July 17, 2023, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) launched a live operator Tenant Helpline to better assist tenants experiencing housing crises. The new live call system will be a critical resource for New Yorkers facing eviction, harassment, or unacceptable living conditions and represents PEU’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving tenant support structures established during the pandemic.
DEP and DDC Complete $54 Million Project to Improve Stormwater Management in Gowanus
On July 12, 2023, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas J. Foley, and Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi announced the completion of a $54 million project to install new storm sewers along 3rd Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The mile-long storm sewers along Third Avenue are located between Carroll and State Streets and from 3rd to 4th Avenues for each of the east/west … <Read More>
Comptroller Proposes City Establish Housing First Program in Response to Audit of Failed Outcomes of Encampment Sweeps
A new audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander found that the Adams Administration’s homeless sweeps failed to meet their goals and proposes that NYC establish a large-scale “Housing First” program instead. On June 28, 2023, City Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)’s role in the Adams Administration’s sweeps of homeless encampment sites between March and November 2022. The audit found that the sweeps failed to meet their primary … <Read More>