
Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
Events will not be permitted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. On July 9, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all large events that require a permit will be canceled through September 30th. The City will instead prioritize social distancing and dedicating open spaces to public use. (more…)

Dean Anthony W. Crowell and
Professor Ross Sandler, Director
cordially invite you to the 167th CityLaw Breakfast

Featuring Speaker
Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation
Speaking On:
NYCDOT & COVID-19: Response Challenges, Recovery Opportunities
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2020 (more…)

Ross Sandler, Center for New York City Law Director
Large numbers of people will vote by mail-in ballots this November because of Covid-19. Everyone should be concerned about the impact of mail-in ballots on democracy. (more…)

Rhinelander Avenue in Morris Park, Bronx, one of many streets open to pedestrians and cyclists under the Open Streets program. Image Credit: CityLand
The plan will aim to add 100 miles of open streets, widened sidewalks and protected bike lanes. Note: This article has been updated to continuously reflect the added streets as those announcements are made. Please continue to check back for further updates.
On April 27, 2020, the Mayor’s Office announced a plan along with Council Speaker Corey Johnson to implement street closures, sidewalk widening, and the addition of bike lanes as part of the City’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The plan aims to close off streets to cars to provide more space for social distancing for pedestrians and cyclists as the weather gets warmer and more people are expected to go outside. (more…)

Playgrounds have been closed since April 1st, but are now allowed to reopen as the City moves into Phase 2. Image Credit: CityLand
Over 1000 playgrounds will be reopened and cleaned, but equipment will not be sanitized. On June 18, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that playgrounds would be reopened as part of Phase 2, which began Monday, June 22nd. While NYC parks generally remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities within parks were closed and restrictions were placed to limit the activity allowed in parks in an effort to stop overcrowding and the spread of COVID-19. On April 1, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced the closure of all NYC playgrounds, as the density within them was too high. For CityLand’s prior coverage of park closings, click here. (more…)