Small Food Manufacturers Discussed Common Business Hazards at Community Meeting

Work space, affordable insurance, and information access among chief concerns of small Brooklyn food and beverage manufacturers. On February 26, 2013, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Council Member Stephen Levin hosted an event for local food and beverage manufacturing businesses at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The organizers sought to give Brooklyn entrepreneurs a chance to raise issues related to starting and growing a successful food-based small business. Organizers hoped to take the … <Read More>


City Receives Over $120 Million in Grants for Queensway and BQE Projects

On March 13, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s acceptance of two federal grants worth a total of $123.6 million. The grants, “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program” and “Neighborhood Access and Equity Program” were issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will be used on the Queensway project and for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE).

Around $117 million of the federal grants will go towards developing further the Queensway, a … <Read More>


City Planning Commission Votes to Approve City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On March 6, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ three City of Yes proposals, is a collection of eighteen changes to the zoning text designed to remove obstacles for small businesses looking to expand and create more vibrant streetscapes. 


DOT Releases Final Rules for Permanent Outdoor Dining Program

Almost two years after the City Planning Commission’s zoning text changes, applications for the permanent program are expected to open next month. On February 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation released the final rules for the permanent outdoor dining program, “Dining Out NYC.”  Through the new program, outdoor dining will be expanded citywide on sidewalks year-round and in roadways seasonally from April through November. 


“City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” Amendment Enters Public Review

On October 30, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Director of City Planning Dan Garodnick announced the launch of the public review process for the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning amendment. The amendment is the second of three “City of Yes” proposals that aim to modernize or remove outdated provisions of the zoning text that limit the growth of housing, the development of small businesses, and the implementation of green technology, energy and infrastructure.


City Planning Announces Next Info Session on City of Yes Amendments

On September 5, 2023, the Department of City Planning announced further information sessions about the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The proposed zoning text amendment is part of Mayor Adams and the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes initiative to remove outdated provisions and revise the zoning text to enable the better growth of the economy, housing, and the use of green technology. The City of Yes for Economic Opportunity <Read More>