Image credit: New York City Council.

The new bill releases 4,000 new street vendor permits over the course of ten years. On January 28, 2021, the City Council voted to approve Int 1116-B, which provides significant changes to the street vendor system. Prior to the legislation, the number of street vendor permits had been capped at 3,000 since 1983. Given the high demand for permits, limiting the number of permits opened an illegal market for renting out permits. Int 1116-B, sponsored by Council Member Margaret Chin, was created to address these issues by releasing more permits and creating more oversight. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand

The newly announced program and its guidelines will allow artists and performers of all kinds to return to work safely. On February 8, 2021, Mayor de Blasio released guidelines for the upcoming Open Culture Program. The program will open up city streets for outdoor cultural performances and events throughout the five boroughs. The new program is modeled after a prior successful initiative lead by the city, the Open Streets Program. For CityLand’s prior coverage about the Open Culture Program, click here.

Image of portion of interactive map featuring highlighted landmarks and historic districts across Upper Manhattan. Image Credit: NYC LPC

The story map features highlighted landmarks and historic districts but also presents in-depth historical context about the significance of those sites. On February 9, 2021, the Landmarks Preservation Commission released Preserving Significant Places of Black History, an interactive story map that highlights New York City’s African American history through historic districts and designated landmarks. 

Rendering of the two buildings at 1099 Webster Avenue in the Bronx. Image Credit: NYC CPC/Aufgang Architects

The buildings will bring 238 affordable units to the area. On February 3, 2021, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application to build two affordable mixed-use buildings at 1099 Webster Avenue in the East Concourse section of the Bronx. The buildings will be on the west side of Webster Avenue between East 166th Street and East 167th Street. The site is currently the location of a parking lot and a former automotive repair shop.

Image Credit: NYCHA.

The new Pest and Waste Management plan will better coordinate and handle pest and waste incidents by targeting the root causes of infestations and waste incidents. On January 26, 2021, the Federal Monitor approved the New York City Housing Authority’s Pest and Waste Management Action Plan. This plans approval follows two years of improvements made by the City Housing Authority.

The Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library. Image Credit: LPC

The library that would become the Harlem Branch was originally established in 1825. On February 2, 2021, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library for future designation. The Harlem Branch is located at 9 West 124th Street across from Marcus Garvey Park in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.