Landmarks Designates Holyrood Church, Educational Building

Both buildings were landmarked as part of the agency’s Equity Framework. On May 18, 2021, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to unanimously designate Holyrood Episcopal Church-Iglesia Santa Cruz in Washington Heights and the Educational Building in Greenwich Village as the City’s newest landmarks. The two buildings were landmarked as part of Landmarks’ new Equity Framework, which highlights the agency’s efforts for designations that represent the city’s diverse and inclusive history.


Public Beaches Open for Memorial Day Weekend

The full opening of beaches follows last year’s limited and restricted summer season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 28, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that eight public beaches across the city will be open for swimming starting Saturday, May 29 and will be open through Sunday, September 12, 2021. Swimming will be permitted when lifeguards are on duty between 10 AM to 6 PM and is prohibited when lifeguards are off duty.


Mayor Signs Hotel Industry Relief Executive Order

The executive order provides relief through a tax pause. On May 19, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order to provide temporary tax relief for the hotel industry as the industry continues to recover from the loss of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


City Resumes Curbside Composting, Expands Other Programs

The new version of the Curbside Composting service will make free composting services available to New Yorkers and the improved Program includes significant expansions. On April 22, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City will be resuming its Curbside Composting Program, which was originally halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Earth Day announcement also included significant expansions to community composting, reuse, and hazardous waste disposal programs operated by the Department of … <Read More>


Council Votes to Make Open Streets Program Permanent

The program began as a way to provide more public space during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 29, 2021, the City Council voted to pass Int. 1933-A, a bill to make a permanent Open Streets program. The Open Streets program closes streets for a given time period to provide pedestrians and cyclists with open street space free of vehicular traffic. 


New City Program to Assist Restaurants in Accessing Federal Grants

The Fair Share NYC: Restaurants Program helps to provide funds to restaurants that were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic by connecting them to federal grants. On April 28, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Small Business Services announced the launch of Fair Share NYC: Restaurants. This new program will help connect restaurants to federal relief funds.