CityLaw Profile – Roger Herz: Urban Activist

Roger Herz, who passed away last week at the age of 88, was a prominent participant at all of our CityLaw breakfasts. He was often first at the microphone with a knowledgeable question for each speaker. We miss his energetic involvement in the civic life of New York City. Below is a profile CityLaw originally published about Roger on April 12, 2021.

First to the microphone at many CityLaw Breakfasts during the Q&A session following … <Read More>


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 Seeks Proposals from Startup Operators to Support Underrepresented Tech Founders

The NYC Economic Development Corporation is expanding the Founder Fellowship program to support more entrepreneurs in building tech and tech-enabled businesses. On July 22, 2022, NYC Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for operators to join the Founder Fellowship, a program that supports women and BIPOC entrepreneurs in the tech industry.


COMPLETE VIDEO: 180th CityLaw Breakfast with Jacques Jiha, Director of the NYC Office of Management and Budget

Today, June 29, 2022, Office of Management and Budget Director Jacques Jiha spoke at the 180th CityLaw Breakfast. His talk focused on the City’s economic recovery and the shaping of the City’s budget in response to the pandemic. Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law provided opening remarks. Dean and President of New York Law School Anthony W. Crowell held a closing discussion with Director Jiha and Professor Sandler. This <Read More>


City Planning Hears Application for Affordable Housing for Seniors and New Venue for Church in Soundview

The new building will enable the church to provide more services to the local community. On June 8, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application for a mixed use residential and community facility building at 1810 Randall Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The building, Casa de la Fe, will also hold a church. The applicants are the church, the Second Pentecostal Church of God La Hermosa, and <Read More>


Changes to Open Meetings Law Enable Hybrid Meetings But Present Ongoing Challenges

Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about <Read More>