Roadway dining in Bay Ridge. Image Credit: NYC DOT

Over 11,000 restaurants are currently participating in the Open Restaurant Program. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced four citywide zoning amendment proposals to support small businesses, create more grocery stores and improve accessibility in transit. One of the proposals, the permanent open restaurant zoning text amendment, seeks to establish a permanent open restaurant program by removing the geographic restrictions on where sidewalk cafes can be located.

Throggs Neck Houses, Bronx. Upgrades in storm water management and green infrastructure are finished. July 27, 2021

The drainage chambers capture nearly two million gallons of stormwater annually. On August 16, 2021, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the completion of a drainage upgrade at the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx. The $1.3 million project will decrease flooding and overflows into the East River.

Image Credit: Office of the Comptroller

On August 16, 2021, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced that NYCHA budget and revenue data will be publicly accessible through the City’s Checkbook NYC program. Checkbook NYC is an online tool that provides public access to financial data of City agencies.

DOB’s new website. Image Credit: NYC DOB.

The new website helps organize the agency’s various resources for New Yorkers. On August 10, 2021, the Department of Buildings launched its redesigned website, which organizes the agency’s online resources into a more intuitive site. The website was last overhauled in 2016.

Current Congressional district map for New York City. Image Credit: New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reappointment.

The Redistricting Schedule

On November 2, 2021, New York State voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment revising the redistricting process to be based on the 2020 census. If the constitutional amendment is approved, the changes will take effect on January 1, 2022. This amendment is necessary to address delays in the census created by the pandemic and to accommodate New York State’s change from a September primary to an earlier June primary for both federal and state elections. These changes compressed the time needed to complete the redistricting. Without these changes, it is possible that the new districts will not be ready in time for the political process to function.

Renderings of Timbale Terrace (left) and the East Harlem Multi-Service Center/Beacon site (right). Image Credit: HPD

The two developments will have almost 600 affordable units between them. On August 13, 2021, the New York City Department of Housing Development and Preservation (HPD) announced its plan to develop nearly 600 affordable homes, a new Afro-Latin Music and Arts (ALMA) Center and to renovate the East Harlem Multi-Service Center in East Harlem. The project will include two mixed-use developments, located at 413 East 120^th Street and at the former 25^th Precinct parking lot on Park Avenue between East 118^th and East 119^th Streets.