Grand Central Upgrades and One Vanderbilt Construction Begins

City Officials and developer broke ground on the new One Vanderbilt office building and $220 million transit upgrade of Grand Central. On October 18, 2016, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council Member Dan Garodnick joined the developer SL Green for the on-site groundbreaking ceremony. The new office tower will reach 1,401 feet and cover the city block west of Grand Central. The tower is expected to achieve … <Read More>


DEP Announces Drainage and Green Infrastructure for Five City Playgrounds

On April 17, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced that construction has commenced on the five new Green Infrastructure playgrounds at schools in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The playgrounds are designed to absorb more than 3.5 million gallons of stormwater every year to curb runoff that floods nearby streets and overwhelms local sewer systems in addition to polluting the East River.


Landmarks Designates the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk as the Bronx’s First Scenic Landmark

On April 16, 2024, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk as a scenic landmark. The Aqueduct Walk is a 4.9 acre linear park along Aqueduct Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and West Burnside Avenue. It features a public walkway built on top of the Old Croton Aqueduct. 


Small Business Services Launches Grant Program to Help Small Businesses Purchase Resiliency Protection, Disaster Risk Assessment

On April 2, 2024, the Department of Small Business Services announced a new grant program to support small businesses in dealing with natural disasters. The Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program will offer free risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and issue grants of up to $5,000 for small business owners and commercial property owners to use for infrastructure protection or upgrades, like generators or flood barriers. 


Landmarks Launches Portico Portal for Application and Document Filings

On March 19, 2024, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) launched Portico, a web-based permit application portal for owners of landmark buildings applying for permits to work on their designated properties. The new process will make it easier for applicants to file an application, allow multiple users to access the same application, and offer updates from start to finish.


HPD, HDC, HCR Celebrate Groundbreaking for Stevenson Square Project to Bring 1000 Affordable Units to the Bronx

On March 1, 2024, the New York City Department of Housing Prevention and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) celebrated the groundbreaking for Stevenson Square in the Soundview section of The Bronx. The $1 billion construction project, in conjunction with Camber Property Group, will build affordable homes in furtherance of the ‘Housing Our Neighbors Blueprint’ initiative.