Speed of Subway Trains Challenged

Subway trains at the Spring Street station twice struck passengers lying on the tracks on separate occasions. How fast should subway trains be moving when they enter a station? The faster the subway trains go, the more people the trains can carry and the quicker people will get to their destinations. Even a slowdown of a few seconds per train can slow the entire system. Speed is so important to the mission of the Transit … <Read More>


Tenant Harassment Task Force Reaches Settlement Requiring Landlord to Correct Significant Violations

On October 12, 2022, the Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force announced a settlement with landlord Greg Fournier and his real estate company, Greenbrook Holdings, LLC over harassing tenants and keeping unsafe building conditions. The task force is composed of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Department of Buildings, the Law Department, the State Attorney General, and the Tenant Protection Unit of the New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal Trust.


COMMENTARY: Could Landmarks Have Saved Dangler House? City Should Conduct Post-Demolition Official Review

On July 21, 2022, the Jacob Dangler House at 441 Willoughby Avenue in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, was demolished less than two weeks after the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing to consider its designation as an Individual Landmark. Despite the attempt by Landmarks to save the Dangler House by commencing the designation process, the Commission has been criticized for not acting quickly enough. Could Landmarks have actually done more?



City Council Votes to Require Short-Term Rental Registry

The bill will prevent the listing of illegal short term rentals on sites like AirBnb. On December 9, 2021, the City Council voted to approve Int. 2309-A, which requires short term rentals to register with the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement. The bill helps in the City’s fight against illegal short term rentals like AirBnbs. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos.