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

Eighty-five percent of the survey respondents expect to go out of business within six months. On July 10, 2020, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a comprehensive analysis of the economic hardships minority and women-owned enterprises (M/WBEs) are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the survey findings, Comptroller Stringer announced new accountability measures to ensure the City is meeting its M/WBE goals. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio holds media availability for updates to the City’s coronavirus. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

Questions about transient use and multiple dwelling law linger after City and Airbnb’s settlement. On June 12, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Airbnb announced a settlement of their lawsuit regarding Local Law 146 of 2018. Local Law 146 of 2018 requires users of short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, to file reports with the City detailing individual host and transaction information. In their initial filings, Airbnb and the other associated parties expressed concern about data storage, sharing and privacy, claiming the local law violated the First and Fourth Amendments of the United States Constitution, the Stored Communications Act and the New York State Constitution. Airbnb was awarded a preliminary injunction for their claims on January 3, 2019. This newly announced settlement between involves Airbnb dismissing the lawsuit against the City and agreeing to provide the City the specified host and transaction information, in the manner described by the settlement’s prospective local law. It is important to note that the settlement is premised on the actual adoption of the new law governing short-term rental reporting. The City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings held a public hearing on the proposed bill amendments on June 17, 2020. The Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement testified but there were no questions or comments.

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Graphic from Geography of Jobs Report shows comparison of number of jobs added to number of units permitted across the region. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The 2019 report shows that the economy expanded faster than housing. On October 30, 2019, Deputy Mayor Vicki Been and Department of City Planning Director Marisa Lago announced the release of the 2019 Geography of Jobs report. This is the City’s second report on shifting growth patterns concentrating jobs and housing pressures in New York City and other urban areas. (more…)

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

Comptroller’s office analyzes other sources of data, concluding retail vacancy is citywide problem. On September 25, 2019, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a report regarding New York City’s retail vacancy crisis. Comptroller Stringer’s report is intended to fill a void in unexplored data from City Planning’s August 8, 2019, analysis of the same topic.

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Image credit: School Construction Authority.

The report requested school space studies as a part of ULURP among other recommendations.  In response to this article, on September 23, 2019, the School Construction Authority contacted Cityland to respond to Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr.’s recommendations. (more…)