Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Senator Chris Murphy addressed economic disparity and the necessity of a long-term vision and cooperation of local leadership in strengthening the New York Metropolitan region’s infrastructure and economy. The Regional Plan Association held its 24th Annual Assembly at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on April 25, 2014. The RPA is a non-profit that seeks to promote planning for economic competitiveness, quality of life, and long-term sustainability in the larger New York metropolitan region, comprising of northern New Jersey, southern New York State, and western Connecticut.  The RPA is currently working on its fourth regional plan since 1929, which will offer a guide for the area’s long-term responsible growth, sustainability, and infrastructure improvement. The last regional plan was published in 1996. (more…)

Mayor Eric Adams announcing the citywide composting program. The smart composting bins and brown bins are also pictured. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

The program expands on a Queens pilot program that diverted 12.7 million pounds of compostable material from landfills. On February 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch* revealed a new roadmap for the creation and implementation of a citywide composting program. The program will be the nation’s largest and will roll out over the next 20 months.  (more…)

An example from the Dept. of City Planning’s presentation, highlighting how a change to a facade for better insulation may be hindered by floor area ratio restrictions. Click to enlarge. Image Credit: NYC DCP.

Commissioners raised early questions about implementation and funding issues. On January 30, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a review session and overview discussion for the proposed Zoning for Carbon Neutrality amendment, one of the three City of Yes amendments proposed by Mayor Eric Adams last year. The Zoning for Carbon Neutrality amendment aims to reduce or eliminate unnecessary restrictions within the zoning text that inhibit a developer or building owner from using sustainable technology and design in their properties. While the official text of the amendment is not finished at this time, this hearing provided an overview about the goals of the amendment and highlighted common issues to be addressed by the amendment. Department of City Planning Director of Zoning Frank Ruchala presented the overview of the amendment to the commission. (more…)

Image Credit: Mayor’s Office.

On January 9, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a set of recommendations from the Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force for changes to state laws and city zoning requirements to make it easier for the conversion of underused office space to housing. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed how many companies operate, transitioning to work-from-home or hybrid structures that require less office space, while the city experiences an ongoing affordable housing crisis. (more…)

A portion of the transformed Westchester Avenue near the Pelham Bay station. Image Credit: NYC DOT.

On January 23, 2023, NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez joined MTA President Richard Davey, elected officials and transportation advocates to celebrate the completion of transit improvements around the Pelham Bay Park station in the Bronx. The Pelham Bay Park station is the terminal stop for the 6 train in the northeast Bronx. Outside the station, commuters can transfer to the Bx12 Select Bus, and five other transit lines. The area serves as an important transfer point for residents in Co-Op City, City Island, and Pelham Bay. The bus routes around the station served 64,000 riders prior to the pandemic. (more…)