Today, October 29, 2021, Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman spoke at the 174th CityLaw Breakfast. Commissioner Gutman spoke on “Reimagining How Freight Moves in New York City.” Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law provided opening remarks. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the eighth virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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City Planning Holds Public Hearing for Permanent Open Restaurants Program, Launches Design Public Engagement Process
Many residents and community board members complained of quality of life issues, including noise, trash, cigarette smoke, and loss of parking. On October 6, 2021, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for the Permanent Open Restaurants program. The Permanent Open Restaurants program will formalize a process for restaurants to operate sidewalk or roadway cafes in a shortened process. The proposed permanent program follows the popularity of the temporary open restaurants program, which was … <Read More>
Community Boards Share Many Concerns Over Permanent Open Restaurant Program
Community boards in support and against the application had concerns about quality of life issues and community board involvement in future reviews. Last year’s Open Restaurants program was established to allow restaurants to operate sidewalk or roadway cafes without the extensive approval process to provide safe outdoor dining options during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the program was enabled through an emergency executive order that temporarily suspended the sidewalk café application process, a permanent program would … <Read More>
Comptroller Releases Post-COVID-19 Transit Policy Recommendations
Recommendations include increasing affordable housing near subway stations and increasing service on subway routes and high-ridership bus routes. On October 10, 2021, Comptroller Scott Stringer released “Beyond Rush Hour: COVID-19 and the Future of Public Transit,” a new report reviewing changes in public transit ridership due to the pandemic.
HPD Expands “HomeFirst” Down Payment Assistance Program
The program offers up to a $100,000 forgivable loan to cover down portions of down payments or closing costs. On October 4, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the first expansion of its “HomeFirst” Down Payment Assistance Program. The “HomeFirst” Program offers financial assistance in the form of a forgivable loan for first-time homebuyers in purchasing a home in New York City by helping cover portions of down payments or closing costs.
DOB Announces Results of Construction Safety Campaign
DOB inspectors visited almost 7,500 constructions sites over the summer. On September 13, 2021, Department of Buildings Commissioner, Melanie E. La Rocca released the results of the new Zero Tolerance Construction Safety campaign, where Department inspectors swept construction sites citywide to check for proper safeguards. The campaign launched in early June following seven construction-related fatalities between January and May 2021.