Image credit: New York City Council.
The three bills provide transparency and protections for people seeking rental assistance. On October 29, 2020, the City Council voted to approve three rental assistance bills that would address income discrimination and provide more transparency in the rental assistance application process. (read more…)
Council Member Robert E. Cornegy. Image Credit: NY City Council
Proposed legislation would include requirements to provide information about how to respond to suspected deed fraud. On October 13, 2020, the City Council Committee of Housing and Buildings and the Committee on Finance held an oversight hearing examining the City’s deed theft and deed fraud crisis, and discussed two bills and a resolution aimed at combatting deed theft: Int 1913, Int 1919, and Res 1427. (read more…)
Mayor de Blasio signs three bills into law on September 28, 2020. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
The bills help provide protections for workers amidst the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis. On September 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed three bills into law. This package of bills expands protections for workers, consumers, and commercial tenants by expanding the City’s paid safe and sick leave, extending protection for commercial tenants, and protecting the jobs of hotel workers. (read more…)
Council Member Carlos Menchaca speaks in opposition to the Industry City application at the Subcommittee hearing on September 15, 2020. Image Credit: NY City Council
Many elected officials questioned whether the developers could follow through on promises of job creation. On September 22, 2020, the developers of the proposed Industry City Rezoning pulled their application after receiving opposition from many elected officials and community members. Industry City is a 5.3 million square foot mixed-use complex with commercial, manufacturing, and community uses in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The complex is located in an area bounded by 32nd Street to the north, 41st Street to the south, Third Avenue to the east, and the Brooklyn Waterfront to the west. The application called for four land use actions to allow for the addition of several buildings, lifted restrictions on the types of retail and other uses allowed. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the Industry City project, click here. (read more…)
Development Rendering Image Credit: City Planning
Two Bridges development gets Appellate Division ruling but two lawsuits remain pending. On August 27, 2020, the First Department’s Appellate Division unanimously ruled in favor of a Lower East Side development that would consist of four towers, 11,000 square feet of retail, and over 2,700 residential units. Of the 2,700 residential units, approximately 700 units will be dedicated to affordable housing and 200 units will be set aside for senior housing. The project’s development group includes JDS Development Group, L+M Development Partners, CIM Group, and Starrett Development. The development’s challengers are the New York City Council and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris testifying at the hearing Image Credit: City Council
Small Business hearings takes dire tone. On August 13, 2020, the City Council Committee on Small Business held a remote public hearing, on three bills that would cumulatively limit third-party food delivery services and require the Department of Small Business Services to create reports on COVID-19 related small business grants and loans. Beyond the three bills, the hearing also delved into the state of small business in the City and potential action to alleviate stresses on the small business community. The three bills are detailed below:
In a Reader
