Times Square will welcome back vaccinated guests for its New Years Eve celebration. Image Credit: Edwin J. Torres/Mayoral Photo Office.
After many closures last year, the holiday season welcomes back guests and spectators to New York City with some limitations. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly shaped holiday festivities citywide last year, with the cancellation of many live in-person events, restrictions to televised-only events, and closures of many beloved shows and attractions that draw thousands of visitors to New York City each year. After significant progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, New York City is ready to welcome back holiday revelers. (more…)
Roadway dining in Bay Ridge. Image Credit: NYC DOT
Over 11,000 restaurants are currently participating in the Open Restaurant Program. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced four citywide zoning amendment proposals to support small businesses, create more grocery stores and improve accessibility in transit. One of the proposals, the permanent open restaurant zoning text amendment, seeks to establish a permanent open restaurant program by removing the geographic restrictions on where sidewalk cafes can be located. (more…)
The POPS logo designed by Emma Reed. Image Credit: NYC DCP
The spaces were closed to prevent the spread of COVID. As of July 1st, the Department of City Planning announced that all Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) have reopened to the public. POPS are public spaces owned and maintained by private property owners under various zoning regulations at no cost to the City. There are nearly 600 POPS in existence today, in the forms of indoor and outdoor atriums, plazas, walkways, and other spaces that provide New Yorkers new opportunities to partake in and enjoy urban life. (more…)
The Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center in Rego Park, Queens, is one of 13 recreation centers set to reopen on June 14th. Image Credit: Google Maps
A total of fifteen centers will reopen by the end of June. On Monday, June 14, 2021, the NYC Parks Department will reopen thirteen recreation centers to existing members. Parks recreation centers have been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)
Governors Island. Image credit: Trust for Governors Island.
The six new appointees will help oversee the Trust’s planning , operations, and development decisions. On April 14, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced new appointments to the Trust for Governors Island Board of Directors. The appointments are Donnel Baird, Alice Blank, Lisa Garcia, Grace Lee, Michael Oppenheimer, and Matthew Washington. The appointed members have a combined wealth of knowledge and backgrounds in the fields of green technology, climate science, environmental justice, architecture, business, government, and advocacy. The appointments will be overseeing the Trust’s activities in planning, operations, and development of Governors Island. (more…)
