Council Subcommittee Approves Crown Heights Mixed-Use Building with 103 Two-Bedroom Units

The new building is intended to revitalize a largely vacant block along Pacific Street in Brooklyn. On May 2, 2019, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises voted to approve a rezoning of the western portion of a block bounded by Pacific Street to the north, Dean Street to the south, Franklin Avenue to the east, and Classon Avenue to the west in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The applicant proposed to rezone … <Read More>


HPD Announces Partners for Two Senior Affordable Housing Projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn

There will be over 350 affordable units for seniors between the two projects. On March 11, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the selection of partners for the development of two 100 percent senior affordable housing projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn. The projects are a part of HPD’s Senior First strategy, a three-prong strategy to ensure safe and affordable housing for seniors … <Read More>


HPD Announces Modular Affordable Housing in East New York

The program will create studio to four bedroom homes for low income and formerly homeless individuals. On March 4, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced plans to develop 167 affordable units on City-owned land in East New York. The program is being developed by a team led by Thorobird Companies along with nonprofit partner Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS) and will have a unique modular design to hold … <Read More>


Community Advisory Committee Formed to Guide Amazon Headquarters Project

The Committee will advise on issues related to construction and infrastructure priorities, and develop workforce strategies to ensure New Yorkers have access to the 25,000-plus jobs the project is expected to create. On December 11, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the formation of a 45-member Community Advisory Committee to the guide the Amazon Headquarters project. Local elected officials recommended community and citywide stakeholders to be Committee members. A Steering … <Read More>


Council Members to Introduce Legislation to Prevent Deals Like Amazon HQ2

Following the announcement of New York City’s selection for Amazon HQ2, council members move forward with legislation to bring transparency to business deals. On November 30, 2018, Council Members Jumaane D. Williams, Brad Lander, and Jimmy Van Bramer announced their plan to introduce legislation aimed at preventing City officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, with corporations doing business with the City. The legislation is a response to deals similar to the Amazon HQ2 where … <Read More>


City Honors Shirley Chisholm, First Black Woman to Serve in Congress, with Monument

Nominations sought to honor a woman committed to social reform and justice. On November 30, 2018, First Lady Chirlane McCray, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and the Department of Cultural Affairs announced the selection of U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first black Congresswoman and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, for a City-funded monument at the Parkside entrance to Prospect Park. Rep. Chisholm’s monument will be the first monument under the She Built <Read More>