Anthony W. Crowell named Dean of New York Law School

The Center for New York City Law rejoiced when, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, New York Law School’s board chair Arthur Abbey and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced in coordinated press releases that Counselor to the Mayor Anthony W. Crowell would become the next Dean and President of New York Law School. Crowell had been an integral member of the Bloomberg administration since 2002. He has also has been an integral part of New York … <Read More>


Nuisance claim upheld

Owner of vacant residential lots stored vehicles and construction materials. A Department of Buildings inspector visited four R4-zoned residential lots located on 78th Street between Dumont and South Conduit Avenues in Lindenwood, Queens. The inspector, during three visits, observed stored on the site a large excavator and two commercial trucks, and construction tools and equipment, including a drilling machine, a generator, and large quantities of lumber and pipes. Subsequently, Buildings sought an order to … <Read More>


Fresh Direct granted generous tax exemption package

IDA approved $81 million in incentives to assist Fresh Direct relocation to the Bronx. On February 14, 2012, the City’s Industrial Development Agency approved financial incentives of approximately $81 million to assist Fresh Direct in relocating its headquarters and operations center from Long Island City to the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Fresh Direct, an Internet grocery delivery service, sought assistance to build a 500,000 sq.ft. distribution facility and separate parking and maintenance facilities. … <Read More>


HPD’s Carol Clark on Affordable Housing Development and Historic Preservation

Carol Clark, Assistant Commissioner for Land Use and Local Governmental Affairs with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, serves as one of the agency’s vital ambassadors to the City Council. The Council must review HPD’s affordable housing development initiatives that involve the disposition of City-owned properties or the grant of tax exemptions. Clark arrived at HPD ten years ago with an extensive background in architecture, historic preservation, planning, and real estate … <Read More>


Kate Ascher on Our Urban Environment

Kate Ascher, head of Happold Consulting’s U.S. practice, has perhaps become better known for her popular books on how cities work. Ascher received her masters and doctorate degrees from the London School of Economics, where she focused on the interface between the public and private sectors. She previously worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the City’s Economic Development Corporation, and Vornado Realty Trust. Currently, Ascher teaches at Columbia University’s Graduate … <Read More>


Fence blocking public access to beach enjoined

Neighbors win claim of express easement to access beach along Long Island Sound. In 1928, Locust Point Estate subdivided a large parcel of land on the Throgs Neck peninsula in the Bronx into six residential parcels, and recorded a declaration granting to the new owners easements over six private roads including Casler Place, a dead-end street leading to a patch of beach on the shore of the Long Island Sound. Casler Place remained a private … <Read More>