DEP Proposes New Water Rates for 2022

This Administration has retained over $1 billion in the water system to keep rates affordable while ensuring funding for drinking water and wastewater projects. On May 10, 2021, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection proposed a 2.76 percent increase to the water rate in 2022 to the City’s Water Board. Funding has helped to create critical programs while keeping rates low for property owners and businesses. New York City water rates are approximately … <Read More>


NYCHA Announces $261 Million in Completed Renovations for Three Developments in the Bronx

The private and non-profit partnership allows for more funding while maintaining resident public housing rights. On February 17, 2021, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the completion of upgrades in three NYCHA developments across the Bronx. The upgrades at the Baychester, Murphy, and Betances Houses impact 54 buildings and 1,810 units and are the home to an estimated 4,300 people. The renovations cost $261 million. 


City Reaches Settlement Agreement with Verizon FiOS Regarding Expansion

The new agreement stresses the need for internet access. On November 24, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announce efforts to tackle the digital divide in New York City by ensuring that Verizon builds out its FiOS footprint to 500,000 additional householders, making high-speed fiber broadband available to more New Yorkers. Verizon failed to meet the terms of its current cable franchise agreement made with the Bloomberg administration to build out its FiOS network.


Mayor Announces Passage of New Energy Code

The new code aims to improve energy efficiency for new and existing buildings as part of its Green New Deal. On February 27, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the passage of a new law that will update the existing energy code citywide in the fight against global warming. Buildings are one of the city’s greatest emitters of carbon and older buildings tend to be less energy efficient. The city is taking an aggressive approach … <Read More>


Court Orders DOB to Revoke Permit and Compel Owner to Remove Floors in Upper West Side Condominium Development

Advocates applaud decision while developers find decision deeply flawed. On February 15, 2020, the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development and the Municipal Art Society of New York,  won an Article 78 case regarding the construction of a 668 foot, 52-story condominium building located at 200 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. New York County Supreme Court Justice W. Franc Perry’s ruling requires the Department of Buildings to revoke the building permit … <Read More>


CityLaw Profile: Caroline Harris – A Woman’s Journey to Land Use

Caroline Harris’s career as a land use attorney stems from an early interest in urban affairs and planning.  Harris was born in New York City and grew up in Peter Cooper Village. As a student at the then all-female Hunter College High School, she started the first student volunteer program for Head Start, earning Mayor Lindsay’s award for “Distinguished Volunteer Supervision.”  Harris spent five months in Israel before entering Trinity College, where she majored in … <Read More>