Image Credit: Governor Office

Brokerages may show properties, under regulation, as part of Phase 2 reopening. On June 22, 2020, New York City officially entered Phase 2 of the State’s COVID-19 reopening plan. In addition to the opening of in-person retail and sidewalk seating for restaurants, the real estate industry was a key industry permitted to reopen. This applies to residential property management companies, real estate brokers, building inspectors, appraisers and related building operators.

The New NYC Housing Connect Image Credit: HPD

NYC Housing Connect tool intends to make affordable housing searches a more user-friendly experience. On June 16, 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of “NYC Housing Connect,” an online tool for finding and applying for affordable housing. The new system provides upgrades from its predecessor through a collaborative effort by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, user-design experts and collected public feedback.

435 West 23rd Street, Manhattan. Credit: Google Maps

Landlord classified rental apartments as being destabilized and charged tenants market rate rents despite receiving J-51 tax benefits. London Terrace Gardens, located along West 23^rd Street in Manhattan and built in 1930, occupies an entire block and has 1700 apartments. After the enactment of the Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1993, London Terrace Gardens began deregulating rent-stabilized apartments through high-rent vacancy decontrol. London Terrace Gardens subsequently received J-51 tax abatement and exemption benefits after making appropriate improvements to the property.

Image Credit: DSNY

The new regulations will remain in effect throughout the summer. On June 23, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia announced that Alternate Side Parking (ASP) street cleanings will be reduced from two days a week to no more than once per week, per side, starting on Monday, June 29.

Rhinelander Avenue in Morris Park, Bronx, one of many streets open to pedestrians and cyclists under the Open Streets program. Image Credit: CityLand

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 response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The plan aims to close off streets to cars to provide more space for social distancing for pedestrians and cyclists as the weather gets warmer and more people are expected to go outside. 

This year’s Macy’s Fireworks display will not be the traditional extended show over the East River as seen here. Instead, the City is planning on several smaller unannounced displays to discourage large crowds from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image Credit: Diana Robinson/Mayoral Photography Office

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.