Even though the Supreme Court struck down race-based land use controls over a hundred years ago in Buchanan v. Warley, 245 U.S. 60 (1917) it has long been known that zoning continues to create or increase racial and economic segregation. Today communities across the U.S. are reexamining their zoning regulations to create more equal, equitable, inclusive, and resilient communities by removing requirements, limitations, or prohibitions that disproportionately and negatively impact individuals based on race or class. (more…)

Kenseth Armstead and Deborah Marton (pictured above) are the two new members of the NYC Public Design Commission. Image Credit: NYC Public Design Commission

Kenseth Armstead and Deborah Marton join the eleven member board. On November 5, 2020 Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed two new members, Deborah Matron and Kenseth Armstead, to the Public Design Commission. Both were approved by an overwhelming majority of the City Council. (more…)

Work on the Bluebelt begins. Image Credit: NYC DEP

Bluebelts improve the health of local waterways and increase nearby property values by managing stormwater and reducing flooding while protecting natural spaces. On October 1, 2020, New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, and Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Lorraine Grillo announced that construction began on a $75 million enhancement of the Bluebelt program in the Mid-Island area of Staten Island. (more…)

Part of Pier 26. Image Credit: Hudson River Park Trust/YouTube

Pier 26 was a $37.7 million project and is the first pier to be opened in over a decade. On September 30, 2020, the Hudson River Park Trust opened Pier 26, an ecological-themed pier located in Tribeca between Hubert Street and North Moore Street and west of the West Side Highway. The Pier is an open outdoor space for New Yorkers as the city recovers from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In 2013, the pier’s infrastructure was completed along with the City Vineyard restaurant and wine bar and the Downtown Boathouse, which has provided free kayaking for half a million New Yorkers. (more…)

One of the virtual backgrounds available as part of the #FallForNYC campaign. Image Credit: NYC Parks

The campaign includes virtual meeting backgrounds, foliage hikes and a Spotify playlist. On October 1, 2020, the Parks Department announced the annual #FallForNYC campaign to get New Yorkers into the autumnal spirit. (more…)