City Planning Approves Green Fast Track Rule to Expedite Some Environmentally-Friendly Housing Projects

On March 20, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the Green Fast Track for Housing rule, a new rule to reduce the cost and time to approve certain modest and eco-friendly buildings by exempting them from review under the State Environmental Quality Review or City Environmental Quality Review laws. State law permits city agencies to have the authority to propose new rules that can allow certain projects to undergo a more streamlined process. 


City Receives Over $120 Million in Grants for Queensway and BQE Projects

On March 13, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s acceptance of two federal grants worth a total of $123.6 million. The grants, “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program” and “Neighborhood Access and Equity Program” were issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will be used on the Queensway project and for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE).

Around $117 million of the federal grants will go towards developing further the Queensway, a … <Read More>


City Announces Award of Over $70 Million in Grants for Electric School Buses, Electric Vehicle Charging at Hunts Point

On March 18, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City received $77 million in grants through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand the number of electric school buses and trucks citywide and the creation of the nation’s first freight electric vehicle charging hub. 


City Launches $50 Million Initiative for Minority-Business Enterprise Developers to Work on Affordable Housing

On March 4, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Housing Preservation Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr., and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin announced an initiative to provide up to $50 million to help Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) overcome financial barriers and participate in developing much needed affordable housing for New Yorkers. The “New York City Minority Business Enterprise Guaranty Facility” is established in partnership … <Read More>


City Planning Commission Votes to Approve City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On March 6, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ three City of Yes proposals, is a collection of eighteen changes to the zoning text designed to remove obstacles for small businesses looking to expand and create more vibrant streetscapes. 


Dept. of City Planning Releases “Principle of Good Urban Design” Guidebook

On March 4, 2024, the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick announced the release of the ‘Principles of Good Urban Design’, an illustrated guidebook that strives to make New York City’s urban design principles clear and understandable to the public. The goal of the guidebook is to inspire all New Yorkers to put the principles of good urban design into action in their own communities.