Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the financing of 17,300 units of affordable housing. Image credit: Mayoral Photography Office
17,300 units of affordable housing were created or preserved in 2014. On January 15, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference to announce the financing of over 17,300 units of affordable housing during 2014. These units, 11,185 preserved and 6,191 of new construction, were financed as a part of the Mayor’s Housing New York plan to preserve and build 200,000 units of affordable housing by the end of Fiscal Year 2024. According to Mayor de Blasio, these units will be enough to provide housing for 42,000 New Yorkers.
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Court previously overturned DEC’s denial of developer’s application and ordered additional analyses. A developer planned to construct a 341-unit mixed-use building on a 17,700 sq.ft. parking lot at 29 Flatbush Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. An environmental assessment of the site revealed the presence of lead and semi-volatile organic compounds. The developer subsequently applied to the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Brownfield Cleanup Program.
DEC determined that the property did not meet the statutory definition of a brownfield site and denied the application. Although DEC acknowledged that the property’s contamination levels exceeded regulatory standards, it found that the contamination would not complicate development of the site. The developer filed an article 78 petition challenging the determination.
Justice Arthur M. Schack vacated the decision, ruling that DEC’s interpretation of its “complication of development” test contravened the statutory requirement that the definition of a brownfield site be broadly construed. Justice Schack, however, noted that an improper denial did not mean the site should be automatically included in the program and ordered the developer to submit to DEC additional environmental and financial studies. 7 CityLand 80 (June 15, 2010). (more…)
DEC denied access to State’s brownfield cleanup program on theory that contamination did not complicate development. In 2007, a developer purchased a 17,700 sq.ft. former parking lot at 29 Flatbush Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, intending to build a 342-unit residential building. An environmental assessment of the site’s subsurface revealed the presence of lead and at least seven semi-volatile organic compounds at levels exceeding regulatory standards. In April 2008, the developer filed an application with the State Department of Environmental Conservation to participate in its Brownfield Cleanup Program.
DEC determined that the property did not meet the statutory definition of a brownfield site and denied the application. DEC acknowledged the presence of contamination at levels above regulatory standards, but found that it would not complicate the site’s future development. In its denial, DEC stated that the contamination appeared to be limited to historic fill, and that its random distribution indicated there would not be a need to excavate and dispose of any soil. DEC concluded that clean up costs would be insignificant compared to the anticipated value of the site after the proposed development. The developer filed an article 78 petition challenging the determination. (more…)
Enclosed bicycle parking pods will temporarily be located at five different locations in a pilot program between Oonee, the creator of the pods, and the Department of Transportation. Image Credit: NYC DOT.
The pods are enclosed to provide secure bicycle parking. On March 11, 2022, the New York City Department of Transportation announced the launch of a bicycle parking pilot program which will provide protected curbside biking corrals in five locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. As more New Yorkers choose cycling as a mode of transportation, secure bike parking options will be in greater demand. (more…)
Image from interactive story map, showing marathon route and first highlighted stop, Fort Tompkins. Image Credit: NYC LPC
New Yorkers anticipate the return of the marathon after last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. On November 3, 2021, the Landmarks Preservation Commission released 50 for the 50th, an interactive story map that highlights 50 landmarks and historic districts along the NYC Marathon route to celebrate the 50th running of the marathon. The marathon, which started in 1970, is having its 50th running this year as last year’s marathon was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)
