The series of events encourages New Yorkers to learn more about the City’s waterfronts. Image Credit: NYC DCP.

On May 17, 2022, the Department of City Planning announced a new series of free events in May to celebrate the City’s waterfront. The celebration will culminate on Friday, May 20th (5/20) in honor of the 520 miles of waterfront across New York City. The celebration of the waterfront has run since 2017. In 2020 and 2021, events were virtual due to the safety concerns from the pandemic. This year, in-person events return to encourage New Yorkers to personally explore what the City’s waterfront has to offer.

Rendering of one of the new proposed buildings. Image Credit: NYC CPC.

The buildings would provide residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. On May 11, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application that would facilitate the development of two eight-story mixed use buildings that will offer residential, commercial, industrial and office spaces in Ravenswood, Queens. The rezoning area consists of the entire block bounded by 33rd Road to the north, 34th Avenue to the south, 11th Street to the west and 12th Street to the east. The two buildings take up a majority of space on the block, with the exclusion of a portion of the midblock facing 11th Street. The current block has a vacant lot and warehouses. 

Mayor Adams and administrative and agency leaders announce business violation reforms. Image Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office.

On May 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced reforms to 118 city regulations relating to small businesses. In January 2022, Mayor Adams signed the “Small Business Forward” executive order that required several city agencies to review their business regulations to determine which regulations could have reduced fines, extended cure periods, or be repealed to assist small businesses in their recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new announcement reveals the 118 regulations that will be altered or repealed. 

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine speaks at the 179th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLand.

Today, May 13, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine spoke at the 179th CityLaw Breakfast. Borough President Levine spoke on “Manhattan’s Recovery.” Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law provided opening remarks. Matt Gewolb, Associate Dean and Vice President for Institutional Strategy and General Counsel at New York Law School, led a closing discussion with Borough President Levine. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the thirteenth virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rendering of 4541 Furman Avenue, as seen from White Plains Road. Image Credit: CPC.

Parking availability in the neighborhood had been a point of concern for the Community Board. May 11, 2022, the City Planning Commission voted to approve an application for a mixed-use residential and commercial building at 4541 Furman Avenue in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. The rezoning site is on a portion of the block bounded by East 240th Street, a line 300 feet north of East 239th Street to the south, White Plains Road to the west, and Furman Avenue to the east.

Image credit: New York City Council.

On May 5, 2022, the City Council voted to pass Int. 173-A, a bill aimed to improve parks and playgrounds through better standards for quality inspections and provide more transparency about what playgrounds and parks require improvements. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.