Street cuts in Staten Island. Image credit: Staten Island USA.

Street cuts are still a problem in City streets undermining repaving efforts. On July 27, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a pilot program to prevent so-called “street cuts” on freshly paved streets. The pilot will mandate interagency cooperation and coordination to prevent fresh asphalt being marred with street cuts. According to Staten Island USA, street cuts are the name given to the patch job done in the wake of underground work performed by developers, plumbing contractors, gas and electric utilities, cable operators and other entities that wish to, or need to work below the streets. The announcement follows the “Pave Baby Pave” campaign launched in 2014 that has helped repave many City streets. (more…)

Image credit: HPD.

Modernization of apartment complex includes extension of affordability for the next 40 years. On June 5, 2018, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced completion of modernization work at the Fox Hill Apartments. The New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Rockabill Consulting-Development, Park Management, and development partners joined HPD in a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the complex, at 320 Vanderbilt Avenue in Staten Island. (more…)

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo imposed negative street names for new streets laid out in a development. In 2014, Mount Builders, a land developer, purchased land in Staten Island on which it planned to build 200 new houses on three newly created streets. The property that Mount Builders acquired was known as Mount Manresa, which was the location of the first Jesuit retreat house in the United States as well as park land graced with many 400-year-old rare oak trees. The condominium development project sparked opposition from many in the Staten Island community including James Oddo, the Borough President. (more…)

Satellite View of Project Area. Image Credit: Google Maps.

A wholesale club and retail center will be developed on Staten Island Wetlands in Mariners Harbor. On October 31, 2017, City Council passed the South Avenue Retail Development land use actions by a vote of 45-1. The special permit and City map amendment will facilitate the development of five new retail buildings in Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. The special permit allows the retail buildings to be developed in excess of 10,000 square feet to accommodate use for a supermarket. The City map amendment will removed mapped but unbuilt streets from the project area’s wetlands to prevent future development. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the matter, click here.

Mariners Harbor, Staten Island is an environmental justice community. Council Member Debi Rose of District 49, where the development will occur, has facilitated many conversations between the community and project developers to ensure smart planning. While explaining her vote at the October 31st Council meetings, Council Member Rose noted that a “no” vote from the Council on this project will not prevent development on the site, because the current zoning does allow commercial use. The developer asking for a special permit and City map amendments allowed the Council to review the development and attach commitments such as local hiring and increased environmental protection. (more…)

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller

Comptroller’s audit finds that the DOF misclassified for tax purposes at least twelve Class 1 properties on Staten Island. On February 24, 2017, the Office of the City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit of Department of Finance property classifications on Staten Island. The audit sought to evaluate whether payments to Samaritan and the payment rates were reasonable, appropriate, and adequately supported, and whether Samaritan was complying with its contract with DHS. Additionally, the audit sought to determine whether DHS adequately monitored Samaritan to ensure that all payments were made in compliance with the contract. (more…)