Comptroller’s Report Finds Chronic Lack of Heat Issues in Over 1,000 Buildings, Recommendations to Enhance City Response

January 23, 2023

On January 9, 2023, the Office of Comptroller Brad Lander released a new report “Turn Up the Heat,” which reviews the City’s efforts in addressing chronic heat complaints. By law, from October 1 through May 31, landlords are required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees in the daytime when outdoor temperatures are below 55 degrees, and at least 62 degrees indoors at night, regardless of the outdoor temperature. Hot water must also be provided … <Read More>

Toppling Christopher Columbus; Public Statues and Monuments

January 4, 2023

Christopher Columbus is in trouble. Political pressure to remove Columbus monuments most recently dates from 1992 during the preparations for the 500^th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage. The movement to remove the monuments accelerated in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

West Park Presbyterian Church Responds to Public Testimony

August 16, 2022

Following Landmarks’ firsthand visit to the site, West Park was given an additional opportunity to speak in support of their hardship application. On July 19, 2022, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public meeting to question the West Park Presbyterian Church about their hardship application. The building is designed in the Romanesque Revival style and located at 165 West 86^th Street in Manhattan.

Governor Signs Legislation Establishing Public Housing Preservation Trust for NYCHA

July 13, 2022

The trust allows NYCHA to access new streams of revenue to help fund the renovations of 25,000 apartments. On Thursday, June 16th, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which created the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust. The Trust will give the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) access to new streams of revenue and will allow for necessary repairs to 25,000 apartments in NYCHA developments. These repairs have been deferred due to a … <Read More>

GUEST COMMENTARY: City Turns Back on Rational Zoning

August 10, 2021

Zoning is under attack in New York City. Not here or there, in this location or that, but the concept itself. This has been the long game of the city’s real estate interests, and after a decade of raids those interests have launched a full assault on several fronts. The historic city should expect no quarter.

Landlord loses eviction action

December 4, 2020

Landlord sued to evict tenants from six-unit building in order to provide apartment for son. Shlomo Karpen owns a six-unit, rent-stabilized building in Brooklyn comprised of two rented units on the first, second and third floors. In June 2018, Karpen notified the tenants in the rented apartments that he would not renew their leases and intended to take over the apartments to make a four-bedroom apartment for his son. In October 2018, Karpen commenced an … <Read More>