Image Credit: NYC HPD

The sustainable-design building would offer on-site supportive services and comes with several amenities for tenants. On July 31, 2019, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application to convert City-owned property at 776-780 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn to a nine-story affordable and supportive housing development. The applicant team is comprised of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, IMPACCT Brooklyn, and Urban Architectural Initiatives. To facilitate the development, the applicants are seeking disposition of the City-owned property and Urban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP) designation and project approval.

161 Stationery Inc., located at 90 East 161st Street in the Bronx. Image Credit: Google Maps.

161 Stationery Inc., a prior violator, sold a single cigar for a price below City-required minimum. On October 21, 2017, Awad Ahmad, N., an employee of 161 Stationery Inc., located at 90 East 161^st Street in the Bronx, was on the phone and helping other customers when an inspector from the Department of Consumer Affairs entered the store. The inspector placed $2.00 on the counter to purchase a cigar, and Awad Ahmad, N. sold the inspector a single Entourage Palma cigar for $1.50.

DCP released a new interactive tool to identify areas in need of supermarkets. Image Credit: NYC DCP

Newest interactive tool helps communities evaluate supermarket needs. On August 2, 2019, the Department of City Planning launched the Supermarket Needs Index, a new interactive online map that shows fresh food store access across New York City. The map highlights which neighborhoods are underserved or lacking grocery store options.

Image Credit: Comptroller Scott M. Stringer’s Office.

NYCHA wasted $3.7 million by replacing eight roofs while they were under warranty. On July 26, 2019, the Office of the Comptroller announced the results of its audit of the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) roof maintenance. According to New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, NYCHA wasted millions on roof repairs that should have come at no expense to taxpayers and failed to perform basic oversight and preventive maintenance of roofs, putting the health and safety of thousands of NYCHA residents at risk.

Image credit: Mayoral Photography Office

City pushes forward on its goal to create 300,000 affordable homes and produces a record number of affordable units for homeless, seniors, and those in need of supportive services. On July 30, 2019, the Office of the Mayor announced that the City has financed 25,299 affordable homes for 2019. The Mayor plans to finance 300,000 affordable homes through the Housing New York plan by 2026.

The City Planning Commission at the borough-based jails public hearing on July 10, 2019. Image Credit: CPC

City reduced projected number of beds to 4,600 but did not amend application at time of hearing. On July 10, 2019, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for the City’s application for four borough-based jails as a part of the City’s plan to shut down Rikers Island. The application proposes four new jails at 124-125 White Street in Manhattan, 745 East 141^st Street in the Bronx, 126-02 82^nd Avenue in Queens, and at 275 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The new jails will allow the City to shut down operations on Rikers Island and work toward the City’s goal of reducing the City’s jail population. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the proposed project, click here.