Image Credit: SBS

Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. (more…)

Mayor Adams visits the Times Square vaccination site, which serves children under five. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

On June 17, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced a roll out for COVID-19 vaccines for babies and children, aged six-months to five years. Health Commissioner Dr. Vasan stated, “As the city’s doctor, and as a father of a three-year-old, I have confidence in this vaccine, and I can’t wait to get my child vaccinated. I encourage parents to call their child’s pediatrician today or call 877-VAX-4NYC to make an appointment at one of our city sites next week. We’re ready for shots for tots!” (more…)

Council Member Julie Menin, Chair of the Committee on Small Business, speaks at the committee hearing on June 9th. Image Credit: City Council

The New York City Council Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed digital portal to centralize the information and paperwork necessary to open and run a small business. On June 9, 2022,  the New York City Council’s Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed bill that would require the City to create and maintain the, “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal.” The Portal would be an on-line hub for information and functionality related to opening and running a small business. It is meant to make the process more efficient by allowing business owners to deal with all the necessary city agencies in a single, easily-accessible space. (more…)

NYC public pools are open for the summer. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City provides free access to spray showers in 584 parks and to 79 pools at 56 different locations throughout the five boroughs. With summer in NYC comes warm weather and the need to cool down and have fun in the sun. For children, fun means running through sprinklers, or as the City calls them: spray showers, and swimming in pools. (more…)

The Zoning for Housing Opportunity text amendment may enable the creation of smaller units like the one above to provide more options for housing. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office

Still in its early stages, Mayor Adams’ proposed zoning text amendment aims to increase affordable housing in the city. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan consisting of three citywide zoning text amendments. One of these initiatives, “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” addresses the city’s housing shortage. Although the text amendment has not yet been drafted, Mayor Adams listed four key housing proposals in his announcement. (more…)