On August 28, 2024, the New York City Department of Buildings announced the oldest permitted sidewalk shed at a City-owned building is being disassembled. The 329-linear-foot shed was in front of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) at 520 First Avenue in Kips Bay for over 15 years. The shed is being removed after unsafe facade conditions were finally resolved.
Council Releases Report on State of Park Restrooms
On September 5, 2024, the City Council released Nature’s Call, a report about the functionality and conditions of over 100 restrooms in city parks. The report followed an investigation led by the Council’s Oversight and Investigation Division in partnership with the Council’s Community Engagement Division and Parks Committee Chair Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s office. The report found that two-thirds of the inspected restrooms – or 68 out of 102 – were closed or had … <Read More>
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 09/09/24
By Jeff Wice, Alexis Marking and Jordan Karpoff
N.Y. VOTING RIGHTS ACT LITIGATION
Orange County: Clarke et al. v. Town of Newburgh
In January, three Black and three Hispanic residents of Newburgh filed this lawsuit, claiming the town’s at-large election system for Town Board elections has prevented Black and Hispanic residents from electing candidates of their choice, in violation of the N.Y. Voting Rights Act.
City Celebrates Opening of 24 Newly Completed School Buildings
On September 4, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the opening of 24 newly completed school buildings, creating 11,010 seats for students. Mayor Adams also announced that the 2025-2029 Capital Plan will provide funding for another 33,417 seats. These announcements come just in time to welcome students across the city for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
DOT Announces Open Streets at Schools Ahead of Start of School Year
On August 29, 2024, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the creation of 71 Open Streets at schools across the City. This record number of school-related Open Streets is the result of the New York City Department of Transportation’s $30 million investment to create and sustain high-quality public spaces like plazas and Open Streets, through the City’s Public Space Equity Program (PSEP). The City’s Public Space Equity Program aims to provide … <Read More>
City Announces Largest Civil Rights Settlement for Housing Discrimination
On August 22, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Commission on Human Rights announced the largest civil rights settlement in New York City history. This $1 million housing discrimination settlement was imposed against Parkchester Preservation Management for discriminating against voucher holders. In addition to this historic event, the New York City Commission on Human Rights secured 850 apartment units, the most ever secured in a New York City Commission … <Read More>