Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn, almost completely empty on a sunny spring day. Image Credit: CityLand

Team sports are prohibited and recreation centers are currently closed to the public, but parks remain open. City and State governments continue the fight to control the spread of the coronavirus, instituting policies to encourage and enable as many people to stay at home as possible. Understanding the challenges of asking citizens to spend as much time as possible indoors as the weather continues to improve, the City aimed to keep City parks open as an outlet for physical exercise. (more…)

Director of DCP Marisa Lago holds review session as the sole Commissioner in physical attendance on March 16, 2020.  Other Commissioners attended the meeting remotely, in an attempt to keep the ULURP process moving before Mayor de Blasio’s Executive Order was signed. Image Credit: NYC CPC

The executive order freezes land use applications so public meetings do not need to occur. On March 16, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order #100, which laid out several steps of the City’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the interest of limiting public gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Emergency Executive Order #100 freezes land use applications that have a timed review or vote requirement. This includes applications within the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) as well as applications before the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Emergency Executive Order also waived the City Charter’s requirement to hold at least two City Council stated meetings per month. As a result, Landmarks, community boards, Borough Presidents, the City Planning Commission and the City Council do not have to meet to take action on active land use applications.  (more…)

Mayor Adams appoints Laura Kavanagh as the new Commissioner of the FDNY. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography office.

Kavanagh is the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the Fire Department. On October 27, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams swore in Laura Kavanagh as commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). With years of prior experience at the FDNY, most recently as acting fire commissioner, Kavanagh will oversee the department’s 17,000 employees and $2 billion budget. (more…)

Times Square will welcome back vaccinated guests for its New Years Eve celebration. Image Credit: Edwin J. Torres/Mayoral Photo Office.

After many closures last year, the holiday season welcomes back guests and spectators to New York City with some limitations. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly shaped holiday festivities citywide last year, with the cancellation of many live in-person events, restrictions to televised-only events, and closures of many beloved shows and attractions that draw thousands of visitors to New York City each year. After significant progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, New York City is ready to welcome back holiday revelers. (more…)

Image Credit: Small Business Services

A new training recourse is available to small businesses and their employees and offers free classes on digital platforms like Zoom, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and more. On February 4, 2021, Major Bill De Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced the launch of “Training for Your Employees.” The program provides business owners and their employees with no-cost training courses in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety. (more…)