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.
Image credit: City of New York, Office of the Comptroller.
Comptroller calls for an expansion of property tax relief programs in the City. On September 6, 2018, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer issued a report detailing property tax increases in the City from 2005 to 2016 and their effect on households at different income levels. The report highlights the dramatic impact that these increases have had, particularly on households with incomes below $50,000 and the inability of existing property tax relief programs to ease the burden of taxpayers at this income level. The report shows how the City tax relief programs fare in comparison to other states that offer tax benefit programs, specifically Maryland and Washington D.C, where benefits are higher and more expansive. The report is a call to policy makers and the recently established NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform to re-evaluate the impact of property tax increases and the ineffectiveness of existing tax benefit programs in order to turn New York City’s tax system from a regressive one to a progressive one. To read CityLand’s prior coverage on NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform, click here (more…)
Image credit: New York City Office of the Comptroller
On April 2018, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer issued a report on the impact of Airbnb on City rents. The report looked at how the home-sharing company impacted rent in the City over the period of 2009 to 2016. The report found that rental rates increases during this time period can be attributed to Airbnb. (more…)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
In contrast to the DOI Report, the Comptroller’s Report places personal accountability on City Officials rather than the indoctrinated procedure for deed-modifications. On August 1, 2016, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer issued a Report on the removal of deed restrictions from Rivington House. The Report is the product of a five-month-long investigation conducted by the Comptroller’s Office into the City’s actions in facilitating the sale of the Rivington House—a non-profit nursing home located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side—to luxury condominium developers for a $72 million profit in February 2016.
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Comptroller’s audit found that Buildings generally implemented adequate controls over construction permit applications, but issued three recommendations to ensure public safety. On June 17, 2016, the Officer of the Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit conducted on the Department of Buildings’ processing of construction permits. The audit determined that Buildings’ controls for the processing of application were implemented consistently, that there were appropriate separation of duties, and an adequate application tracking system. Furthermore, Buildings verifies the current licensing of architects and engineers associated with applications. (more…)
