The West Park Presbyterian Church. Image Credit: NYC LPC.

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.

Image Credit: New York City Department of Transportation

On July 19, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking concessionaires “for the development, operation, and maintenance of an outdoor market” at Fordham Plaza. The plaza is located at the intersection of Fordham Road, Third Avenue and East 189^th Street in the Bronx.

Department of Design and Construction Logo Image Credit: DDC

On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced the creation of the City’s first Pre-Qualified List, strictly for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors. The Pre-Qualified List was designed to provide Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors with first dibs over Department of Design and Construction projects between $500,000 and $2.99 million. In this way, construction contracts can be awarded faster and projects can be completed earlier without the need to run background checks or qualifications on all the bidders.

Image Credit: SBS

Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.

Steel plates outside of 159 West 48th Street. Image Credit: Google Maps.

OATH Appeals Board overturns Hearing Officer’s earlier determination. On October 14, 2020, in front of 159 West 48^th Street in Manhattan, an officer from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) detected unreasonable noise from steel street plates permeating from Triumph’s Construction site, an indication that the steel plates were installed improperly.  The officer measured the noise decibels emitting from the steel plates, confirmed it exceeded the mandated limit, and issued Triumph Construction a summons.

The Dangler House being demolished on July 21st. Click for link to video. Image Credit: Council Member Chi Ossé/Twitter.

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?