Mayor Announces Holiday Open Street, Pedestrian Space Around Rockefeller Center and Small Business Support Campaigns

The pedestrian space around Rockefeller Center returns to help accommodate holiday crowds. On November 22, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s largest holiday season specific open street and the return of the pedestrianized area around Rockefeller Center for the holiday season, along with two new ad campaigns to support local and small businesses. Temporary pedestrian spaces ease crowding and enhance public safety as thousands of visitors and New Yorkers celebrate the holiday season.  For <Read More>


Mayor, Small Business Services Appoint Dasheeda Dawson as Cannabis NYC Director

As the initiative’s founding director, Dawson will serve as the primary liaison between SBS, other city agencies, and key stakeholders. On October 12, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Small Business Commissioner Kevin Kim announced the appointment of Dasheeda Dawson as founding director of the City’s new Cannabis NYC initiative. For CityLand’s previous coverage of the Cannabis NYC initiative, click here.



Small Business Services Awards $3.8 Million in Nonprofit Grants

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.


Zoning for Economic Opportunity Aims to Remove Zoning Obstacles for Certain Types of Businesses

On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams outlined his, City of Yes initiative. This initiative is the next phase of his, Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent,” plan to stimulate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “City of Yes,” is built around a series of three as-yet-unwritten zoning text amendments to modernize and simplify zoning resolutions to encourage business growth, stimulate housing creation, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.


Mayor Announces Proposed Zoning Changes to Affordable Housing, Small Business Restrictions and Sustainability

The zoning text amendments are in development and will be drafted with input from stakeholders before undergoing public review later this year. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan for a series of new zoning text amendments and programs aimed at removing obstacles for the recovery of small businesses, increased affordable housing, and the expansion of green technology to promote sustainability. The three zoning text amendments – the Zoning for Economic Opportunity, … <Read More>