Mayor Announces Enforcement Effort for Abandoned Open Restaurants Sheds Among Challenges to Open Restaurant Program

Multiple lawsuits have challenged both the temporary and proposed permanent open restaurant programs. On August 18, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new enforcement initiative with multiple city agencies to remove abandoned outdoor dining sheds. The City’s temporary open restaurants program allowed for restaurants to build outdoor shed structures on sidewalks and in roadways to allow for safer outdoor dining during the pandemic. However, some of these structures have been abandoned by restaurants that have <Read More>


City Receives $7.25 Million Grant to Expand and Revitalize Greenways

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the city is developing a plan to expand and fill gaps in greenways across all five boroughs. On August 22, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City has received a $7.5 million grant from the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program that will be dedicated to plan for a major expansion of the greenway network citywide.


NYC’s Speed Cameras Go 24/7

Since the automated enforcement program launched in 2014, speeding violations dropped on average of 72 percent at camera locations. On August 1, 2022, all of the City’s speed cameras began operating 24/7/365. This change stems from June 24’s passage of a state law amending speed camera hours. The bill’s prime sponsors in the State Assembly and Senate were Assembly Member Deborah Glick and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, respectively.


Small Business Services Awards $3.8 Million in Nonprofit Grants

Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.


City Announces Start of Construction for 103 Affordable Unit Development in Mount Hope

The $55 million mixed-use development in Mount Hope will house 103 low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers. On July 20, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the beginning of construction on an affordable housing development in Mount Hope, Bronx. The new building will be adjacent to the existing Mount Hope Community Center on Walton Avenue.


DOT Announces Completed Intersection Redesign

This project is part of the Adams administration’s commitment to fixing 1,000 intersections a year. On July 29, 2022, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the completion of an intersection redesign at Highland Boulevard and Vermont Place. Located in Highland Park near the Ridgewood Reservoir, the intersection was redesigned to improve pedestrian safety and greenspace access for the many Brooklyn and Queens residents who enjoy the park.