Court upholds verdict that City at fault for man who drowned in pool

Parents of deceased son win damages against the City. On July 13, 2011, Bohdan Vitenko drowned in Lyons Pool in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island. Lyons pool is owned and operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Vitenko, then 21-years old, was exercising in the pool with his friend Jonathan Proce for an extended period of time. The Olympic-sized pool measured 165 feet by 100 feet. It was 3.5 feet … <Read More>


HPD Announces Partners for Development of 360 Affordable Units in Stapleton

The project is in the area of the Bay Street Corridor Plan. On October 13, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the development team for the Stapleton Site A project. The city-owned site located south of Hannah Street in Stapleton, Staten Island, will be transformed into a mixed-use development with 100 percent affordable housing. The site is currently a vacant lot.


Governor’s Office Announces $27 Million Available for Ida Relief for Undocumented New Yorkers

The program offers assistance to those who cannot qualify for federal relief. On September 26, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $27 million will be available for relief from Hurricane Ida for undocumented New Yorkers. Undocumented New Yorkers who suffered from the historic flooding and storm damage are not eligible to receive storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program or other programs due to their undocumented status. The New York State Office for <Read More>


Council Approves Bill to Require Board of Standards and Appeals to Record Decisions

The bill provides better transparency and helps potential purchasers and agents. On June 17, 2021, the New York City Council passed a bill to require the City’s Board of Standards and Appeals to record a copy of a decision affecting a parcel of land made by the Board in the appropriate title recording system. The bill, Int. 2257-2021, will require the Board to record the decision with the Automatic City Register Information System (ACRIS) for <Read More>


Parks Department Celebrates Holiday Season With Light Displays Across City

The light displays offer local options for those who can’t or choose not to see typically more crowded options like the Rockefeller Center tree. On December 11, 2020, the Parks Department announced that this holiday season, New Yorkers can enjoy local light displays at Parks administrative buildings and parks around the city. This season, Parks will host over 80 lighting displays across the City. 


HPD Releases Stats and Guidance as City’s Heat Season Begins

The agency received over 98,000 unique complaints about heat or hot water last season. On October 1, 2020, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the start of the 2020 – 2021 heat season, in which all residential building owners are required to maintain specific indoor temperatures. From October 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021, building owners must maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when outdoor temperatures are below 55 degrees during the daytime <Read More>