Governor Cuomo addressing the COVID-19 Crisis Image Credit:
Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

All construction permits will need to be active and renewed during the suspension period.  On March 30, 2020, the Department of Buildings announced that all work on non-essential construction and demolition sites is suspended for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Buildings made the decision to suspend such construction and demolition following Governor Andrew Cuomo’s amended executive order and the Empire State Development Corporation’s guidelines. The executive order, which required non-essential businesses and nonprofits to limit in-person work to curb COVID-19 transmission, was amended on March 27, 2020 to include the suspension of all non-essential construction.

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Image Credit: NYC Civic Engagement Commission.

All New Yorkers aged 11 and up can help decide how to spend $5 million of mayoral expense funding. On September 14, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Civic Engagement Commission Chair and Executive Director Dr. Sarah Sayeed announced the launch of NYC’s first ever citywide participatory budgeting process. “The People’s Money” will allow all New Yorkers ages 11 and up to decide how to spend $5 million in mayoral funds, with the goal of addressing local community needs across the five boroughs. The program will fund expense projects likes programs, events, and services, but not capital projects that require building new things that require construction or renovation. (more…)

Mayor Eric Adams. Photo Credit: facebook.com/NYCMayor

Last month, Mayor Adams announced a new plan to bring automatic, weekly curbside organic waste collection to the entire borough of Queens. Residents can order free compost bins from the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and bins will automatically be sent to buildings with 10 or more residential units. (more…)

Mayor Adams assists with the demolition of an abandoned dining shed at the press conference announcing the City’s new enforcement initiative on August 18th. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Multiple lawsuits have challenged both the temporary and proposed permanent open restaurant programs. On August 18, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new enforcement initiative with multiple city agencies to remove abandoned outdoor dining sheds. The City’s temporary open restaurants program allowed for restaurants to build outdoor shed structures on sidewalks and in roadways to allow for safer outdoor dining during the pandemic. However, some of these structures have been abandoned by restaurants that have now shut down resulting in abandoned structures that have gotten many quality of life and safety complaints. (more…)

Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

The Arverne, Queens community is receiving a renovated playground so they can use it for years to come. On August 12, 2022, NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Mike Dockett, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, representatives from Queens Community Board 14, and community members gathered for an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement on the $5 million renovation of Beach 59th Street Playground in Arverne section of Queens. (more…)