Landmarks Approves Demolition and New Construction in Greenpoint HD

Landmarks approved the demolition and new construction on the condition that applicants fine-tune design details with the Commission. On September 15, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition and construction of a new commercial building at 171 Calyer Street, in the Greenpoint Historic District of Brooklyn.


DOB Announces New Energy Efficiency Ratings Posting Requirements

Buildings will be graded on a scale of A to F. On September 8, 2020, the Department of Buildings announced that starting on October 30, 2020, all NYC Buildings 25,000 square feet or larger will be legally required to post energy efficiency letter grade signs at their entrances. Similar to restaurant health grade signs, these energy efficiency signs will create greater transparency for the public about how each building operates.


Commercial tenant unprotected by new law

Commercial tenant claimed the 2019 Housing law required owners to provide a written notice of nonpayment of rent. The owner of a building located at 41 East 11th Street, Manhattan, filed a petition in Civil Court to evict its commercial tenant, Washington Square Institute, for non-payment of rent. The owner claimed rent in the amount of $240,007 for the period of August 2019 through October 2019, calculated at the monthly rent of $67,561. The … <Read More>


Mayor Announces “COVID-19 Heat Wave Plan” To Protect Elderly and Vulnerable New Yorkers

As temperatures begin to rise and as Summer in NYC officially begins on Saturday, the City is eyeing sports and other large venues to use as cooling centers and is set to spend $55 million on air conditioners for elderly and low-income residents. On June 12, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an update to the City’s plan to protect vulnerable New Yorkers from excessive indoor heat exposure. Now called the Get Cool NYC program, <Read More>


New York City Council Approves Two Bills Limiting Third-Party Delivery Service Fees

Council Bills intended to support the restaurant industry and small business. On May 13, 2020 the New York City Council voted to approve two bills intended to restrict the amount of fees third-party delivery services can charge restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurant closures. Intro 1898-A, which essentially prevents fees to restaurants when no actual transaction results, was approved with 47 votes in the affirmative and three votes in the negative. Intro 1908-B, which … <Read More>


Landmarks Approves Modified Design for New Single-Family Residence in Tribeca West HD

The modifications to the Hubert Street facade and the ground-floor shutters are more contextual for the historic district. On May 8, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish an existing three-story garage and office building at 11 Hubert Street, Manhattan, and replace it with a new five-story residential building. The new building will be located on the corner of Hubert and Collister Streets within the Tribeca West Historic District. Landmarks … <Read More>