DDC Announces Reopening of Steinway Library in Astoria After Renovations

On January 18, 2022, the Department of Design and Construction announced the reopening of the Steinway Library at 21-45 31st Street in Astoria. Steinway Library is one of the three original branches from 125 years ago that became the Long Island City Public Library system, later known as the Queens Borough Public Library. Prior to the pandemic, Steinway Library served almost 200,000 customers and circulated over 225,000 materials annually. 


Mayor Names New Leadership for Department of City Planning

On January 19, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams named his selections for leadership of the Department of City Planning (DCP); Dan Garodnick will be the new City Planning Commission Chair and Department of City Planning Director, and Edith Hsu-Chen will be the Department of City Planning Executive Director. They will both report to Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer.


City Planning Hears Application for New Mixed-Use Building in Belmont

The building would be the first to offer inclusionary housing along this section of East Fordham Road. On January 5, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a special permit application for 660 East Fordham Road that would facilitate the construction of an eleven-story mixed use commercial and residential building in the Belmont section of the Bronx. The current site features a parking lot, and one-story underused commercial space, including a vacant <Read More>


Department of Finance Extends Fine and Interest Reduction Enabling Recovery Program

The program provides financial relief during the pandemic for New Yorkers who owe fines and penalties. On December 20, 2021, the Department of Finance announced that its Fine and Interest Reduction Enabling Recovery (FAIRER) Program would be extended through March 20, 2022. The program allows New Yorkers to pay a reduced amount in fines to resolve eligible Environmental Control Board (ECB) judgments. 


City Council Votes to Create Task Force to Study Conversion of Vacant or Unviable Office Space for Other Uses

A switch to remote work for many companies has left more office space vacant, and possibly available for different uses. On December 15, 2021, the City Council voted to approve Int. 2246-A, which creates a task force to study the potential of conversion of vacant and/or commercially unviable office space for different uses. The bill aims to address questions about how to best handle changing uses of office space for businesses, many of whom have <Read More>