Audit cites EDC for major violations of E. River lease

Comptroller asserts that insufficient oversight could cost City $6.1 million. A June 2008 audit by City Comptroller William C. Thompson concluded that New York Skyports, Inc. violated its lease agreement for a two-acre City-owned East River site, creating a potential cost of $6.1 million to the City.

Originally executed with the Gulf Oil Corp in 1959, the lease allowed the construction of a parking garage over the East River and the additional use of the … <Read More>


City Comptroller faults EDC’s management of Army Terminal lease

EDC failed to charge $511,500 in allowable rent and used City water and sewer services without paying. On June 6, 2008, City Comptroller William C. Thompson issued an audit report on the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s lease of the Brooklyn Army Terminal, concluding that it failed to charge Turner Construction Company $211,500 in allowable rent and lost $300,000 by charging some sub-tenants less than market rate rent. Also, EDC has not paid the … <Read More>


City Comptroller faults BSA’s fee procedures

Problems found with the safeguarding, accounting and transfer of fees to the City. On June 12, 2007, City Comptroller William C. Thompson issued an audit report on BSA’s collection and reporting of revenues, concluding that BSA correctly determined and accounted for fees, but problems existed with the safeguarding of fees, the integrity of receipt systems, and the forwarding of funds to DCAS.

Application fees are the primary source for BSA revenues. In 2006, BSA … <Read More>


DDC Report Reflects Faster Construction Due to COVID Changes In Procurement Process

The Department of Design and Construction has been able to complete capital projects quicker while still adhering to budgets and utilizing Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise while under COVID-19 contracting rules. On March 30, 2021, the New York City Department of Design and Construction released a report on how construction under the less restrictive procurement and contracting rules put in place due to the pandemic has helped to complete City capital projects much quicker than … <Read More>


Mayor Announces “COVID-19 Heat Wave Plan” To Protect Elderly and Vulnerable New Yorkers

As temperatures begin to rise and as Summer in NYC officially begins on Saturday, the City is eyeing sports and other large venues to use as cooling centers and is set to spend $55 million on air conditioners for elderly and low-income residents. On June 12, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an update to the City’s plan to protect vulnerable New Yorkers from excessive indoor heat exposure. Now called the Get Cool NYC program, <Read More>


Speed Up the Redesign and Modernization of Privately-Owned Public Spaces

Over half the existing plazas and other public spaces located on private property lack the benches, vegetation, artwork, lighting and other amenities required by the City’s zoning code or promised by the developers in return for permission to build taller and larger buildings, as reported by Comptroller Scott Stringer in an April 18, 2017 audit. Stringer recommended more inspections by the Department of Buildings to bring these privately-owned public spaces (so-called “POPS”) into compliance. But … <Read More>