Image of current districts under the FRESH program. One of the Mayor’s proposed zoning amendments will expand the FRESH program in outer boroughs. Image Credit: NYC DCP

Commissioners raised concerns about the removal of special permits as a way to vet out illegitimate massage parlors. On October 20, 2021, the City Planning Commission voted to approve two applications proposed by the City to support small businesses and promote healthy food options and fitness. The two applications, the FRESH Program Expansion and the Health and Fitness Text Amendment, were part of a series of zoning proposals proposed earlier this year.  (more…)

70 Mulberry Street, prior to the January 2020 fire. Image Credit: Google Maps

The fire displaced five non-profits and shut down a community hub. On October 5, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to reconstruct 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown. The City-owned building, which is a historic cultural and community hub for Chinatown, suffered severe damage from a fire in January 2020. (more…)

Michael Arad speaking at the 173rd CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLand.

Today, September 10, 2021, Michael Arad, the Lead Designer of the 9/11 Memorial, spoke at the 173rd CityLaw Breakfast. Mr. Arad spoke on “the Design and Construction of the National 9/11 Memorial: Absence and Loss in the Life of New York City.” Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law, provided opening remarks, and Dean Anthony W. Crowell participated in a discussion with Mr. Arad after his talk. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the seventh virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)

Roadway dining in Bay Ridge. Image Credit: NYC DOT

Over 11,000 restaurants are currently participating in the Open Restaurant Program. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced four citywide zoning amendment proposals to support small businesses, create more grocery stores and improve accessibility in transit. One of the proposals, the permanent open restaurant zoning text amendment, seeks to establish a permanent open restaurant program by removing the geographic restrictions on where sidewalk cafes can be located. (more…)

Map of the pilot areas for the e-scooter program across the East Bronx. Image Credit: DOT

Over two years, the program will serve an area of over 500,000 residents in the East Bronx. On August 17, 2021, the Department of Transportation’s E-Scooter Pilot program will launch in the East Bronx. Through the program, E-Scooter companies Bird, Lime, and Veo will bring 3,000 e-scooters in the first phase of the program, with an additional 3,000 scooters to be rolled out in Phase 2 of the program next year.  (more…)