Policy

July 3, 2025

NYC traffic deaths hit record low in first half of 2025

Traffic deaths in New York City have hit a record low in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to improve street safety. On Wednesday, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that there have been 87 traffic-related fatalities so far this year, tied with 2018 and the lowest number since the city began tracking the metric in 1910. Fatalities have dropped 32 percent compared to the first half of 2024, with all vehicle types showing declines, including a 39 percent decrease in deaths involving motorized two-wheelers like e-bikes and a 48 percent decline for motor vehicles.
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New futuristic restrooms open in five NYC parks, each at $1M to install

All photos courtesy of NYC Parks

July 2, 2025

New futuristic restrooms open in five NYC parks, each at $1M to install

By Aaron Ginsburg

Five new sleek public restrooms have opened in New York City parks—each with a $1 million price tag. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the installation of the "Portland Loos"—modern restrooms designed for year-round use and quick assembly, now placed in each of the five boroughs. While the restrooms themselves are relatively inexpensive, installation costs reached nearly $1 million each due to infrastructure upgrades, including extending water and electrical lines, according to amNY. But the prefabricated toilets are still significantly cheaper than traditional restrooms, which can cost between $3 and $5 million.
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NYC subway fare hike delayed, but will likely increase to $3 by year’s end

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

July 1, 2025

NYC subway fare hike delayed, but will likely increase to $3 by year’s end

By Aaron Ginsburg

Your standard New York City transit fare could top $3 by the end of the year. As part of a budget approved last year, the MTA is planning a 4 percent increase for subway and bus fares. Although originally planned to take effect in August, the hike will likely be delayed, as it must first go through a mandatory public comment period, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said during the agency's monthly board meeting. As reported by Gothamist, the increase is expected to coincide with the MTA’s phaseout of MetroCard sales—a major step in the system’s transition to OMNY.
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Policy

Rent Guidelines Board approves increase up to 4.5 percent for stabilized apartments

Rent Guidelines Board final vote on June 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of New York State Tenant Bloc.

July 1, 2025

Rent Guidelines Board approves increase up to 4.5 percent for stabilized apartments

By Devin Gannon

Rent for more than two million New Yorkers will increase for the fourth year in a row. The Rent Guidelines Board on Monday voted to raise rents for stabilized apartments by 3 percent for one-year leases and 4.5 percent for two-year leases that start on or after October 1. The vote comes less than a week after Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani's win in the Democratic mayoral primary; Mamdani has pledged to direct the board to freeze the rent if elected in November.
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Policy

G train to shutdown on select nights and weekends this summer

Image via WikiCommons

June 30, 2025

G train to shutdown on select nights and weekends this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

G train riders are in for another summer of service disruptions. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced last week that G train service will be suspended between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues on select weeknights and weekends from July 14 through August 18, as work continues to upgrade the line’s 1930s-era signal system. The line partially shut down for six weeks last summer as part of the $368 million modernization project, which will make the G the third subway line to be fully converted to Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling.
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As part of $116B budget deal, city will expand 7-day library service

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 30, 2025

As part of $116B budget deal, city will expand 7-day library service

By Aaron Ginsburg

Ten New York City public libraries will now be open seven days a week, thanks to $32.7 million in funding included in the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced a $115.9 billion budget agreement for FY26. Other key investments include over $70 million for immigration legal services, as well as funding for mental health care, public safety programs, and expanded child care and early childhood education.
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Policy

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

June 27, 2025

Queens bus network overhaul rolls out

By Aaron Ginsburg

Attention Queens residents: You may want to double-check if your local bus stop still exists. On Sunday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will launch phase one of its Queens bus network redesign—the most significant overhaul in the system’s 70-year history, affecting all but three of the borough’s bus routes. More than six years in the making, the redesign aims to improve transit equity, speed up commutes, strengthen connections to subways and rail, and enhance overall service for the borough’s roughly 800,000 daily riders.
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NYC taps landscape architect to reimagine Park Avenue

Credit: Leslie Cross on Unsplash

June 27, 2025

NYC taps landscape architect to reimagine Park Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has selected a landscape architect to lead the pedestrian-focused transformation of Park Avenue. Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced that an 18-month contract has been awarded to Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners to redesign a portion of the iconic corridor between East 46th and East 57th Streets. The project will widen the median and install pedestrian upgrades, new seating, landscaping, and innovative streetscape amenities.
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70,000 new homes could be built along Interborough Express with zoning changes

View of the Bay Ridge Branch, which would be incorporated in the proposed Interborough Express. Adjacent to the Fort Hamilton Parkway station. Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

June 27, 2025

70,000 new homes could be built along Interborough Express with zoning changes

By Aaron Ginsburg

More than 70,000 new homes could be built within a half-mile of the proposed Interborough Express (IBX) train line through land-use changes. Outlined in an analysis released Thursday by the New York Building Congress, and first reported by the New York Times, implementing land use changes could lead to the development of tens of thousands of new homes within a 10-minute walk of the 19 stops along the 14-mile light rail line, with the potential to exceed 100,000 units over a decade. However, these changes would face many obstacles, as the IBX will run through diverse neighborhoods with varying residential densities and local willingness to welcome new homes.
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NYC wants feedback on plan to build 100K homes in Manhattan over next 10 years

Credit: Dorian Mongel on Unsplash

June 24, 2025

NYC wants feedback on plan to build 100K homes in Manhattan over next 10 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is asking New Yorkers to help shape its plan to build 100,000 new homes in Manhattan over the next decade. As part of the early stages of the "Manhattan Plan," Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of City Planning (DCP) are seeking feedback through an online survey, a city website, and upcoming in-person events. Residents can weigh in on potential sites for residential development, zoning changes, and other ideas, all of which will help inform a final report expected later this year.
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MTA to boost A and L subway service this fall

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to increase service on the A and L lines to better accommodate riders during peak hours. At a Monday committee meeting, officials proposed adding six extra round trips across the two lines and shifting some weekend L train service from early morning to late night, when ridership is typically higher. Set to begin in November, the changes include one extra round trip on both the A train’s Lefferts Boulevard and Far Rockaway branches, and four more round trips on the L line during the morning rush.
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Congestion pricing is reducing traffic outside of Manhattan, too, report says

Credit: George Bakos on Unsplash

June 20, 2025

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic outside of Manhattan, too, report says

By Aaron Ginsburg

Congestion pricing has already led to fewer traffic delays in Manhattan’s central business district—and beyond—according to a new report. Released Wednesday by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), the analysis, "Congestion Pricing: Faster All Around," finds that traffic delays in Manhattan are 25 percent lower than projected without the tolling program, while delays in areas just outside the borough have dropped by nine percent. The report compares traffic data from the program’s launch through April 2025 with the same period in 2024, as well as the months leading up to the program’s start.
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City Planning Commission approves Midtown South rezoning

Photo © 6sqft

June 19, 2025

City Planning Commission approves Midtown South rezoning

By Aaron Ginsburg

A major plan to build nearly 10,000 new homes in Midtown South by updating decades-old zoning rules just moved one step closer to becoming reality. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan, the rezoning of a 42-block stretch of the neighborhood to allow for 9,700 new homes in an area where housing was previously restricted. Under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, the plan will require developers to include affordable housing, paving the way for up to 2,900 permanently affordable units. The plan now advances to the City Council for a final vote.
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City looks to build mixed-use project with up to 900 homes on Hunter’s Point South parcel

Image courtesy of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 18, 2025

City looks to build mixed-use project with up to 900 homes on Hunter’s Point South parcel

By Devin Gannon

The city is seeking a developer to build a mixed-use development on one of the last vacant parcels in the Hunter's Point South neighborhood of Long Island City. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development last week issued a request for proposals for Parcel E, the sixth of seven sites that are part of the city's 30-acre redevelopment of the waterfront. For this project, the city wants a multi-tower, mixed-use project with between 850 and 900 apartments, with up to 70 percent of them affordable.
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JFK AirTrain fare will be 50% off this summer to encourage public transit use

Credit: PANYNJ on Flickr

June 18, 2025

JFK AirTrain fare will be 50% off this summer to encourage public transit use

By Aaron Ginsburg

AirTrain fare will be 50 percent off this summer to encourage travelers to use public transit during peak construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The single ride fare will be reduced to $4.25 starting on June 30 through Labor Day, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Tuesday. With record-breaking travel expected and a $19 billion redevelopment underway, significant congestion around the airport is anticipated.
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Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

Proposed Beverley Square West Historic District. Photo credit: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

June 17, 2025

Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

By Aaron Ginsburg

Two well-preserved areas of historic suburban Flatbush could become New York City’s newest landmarked districts. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the proposed Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West Historic Districts, which together include 247 freestanding homes built between 1894 and 1910. The houses exemplify early 20th-century suburban architecture in Flatbush, like Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, or a mixture of the two.
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June 16, 2025

Mayor Adams wants to remove part of protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Eric Adams announced plans for the city to remove part of the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn after concerns from local residents. Last year, a 1.5-mile protected bike lane was added to Bedford Avenue from Dean Street in Crown Heights to Flushing Avenue in Bed-Stuy, a section known for being unsafe due to speeding vehicles. But after several crashes between cyclists and pedestrians, particularly young children, the mayor said three blocks of the protected bike lane will be removed and returned to its original unprotected configuration. Following a lawsuit filed by Transportation Alternatives, a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge on Wednesday temporarily halted the removal of the protected bike lane until a hearing in August, Streetsblog reported.
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Bronx casino bid at former Trump-owned golf course can move ahead after Council vote

Photo courtesy of Dan DeLuca on Flickr

June 13, 2025

Bronx casino bid at former Trump-owned golf course can move ahead after Council vote

By Aaron Ginsburg

A plan to bring a casino to a Bronx golf course once owned by Donald Trump took a step forward this week. The City Council on Wednesday voted 32-12 to pass a home rule resolution that allows state lawmakers to advance legislation supporting Bally’s Corporation’s proposed casino at the city-owned Ferry Point Park golf course, according to the Bronx Times. The approval authorizes the state to "alienate" the roughly 16-acre public parkland, a requirement whenever city-owned park space is repurposed for private use.
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Policy

NYC unveils new intersection design to better protect cyclists, pedestrians

Credit: NYC DOT

June 12, 2025

NYC unveils new intersection design to better protect cyclists, pedestrians

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is rolling out a new intersection design aimed at better protecting pedestrians and cyclists at crash-prone locations. Unveiled Wednesday by Department of Transportation Commissioner (DOT) Ydanis Rodriguez, the design uses "hardened daylighting tools"—such as concrete barriers, planters, and other structures—to improve visibility at intersections, where roughly half of all traffic fatalities occur. The DOT plans to implement the design at select high-crash intersections alongside new and existing bike lanes across the city starting this year.
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New legislation would legalize NYC bodega cats

Photo by Seth Werkheiser via Wikimedia Commons

June 12, 2025

New legislation would legalize NYC bodega cats

By Devin Gannon

New legislation would protect some of New York City's most beloved residents: bodega cats. City Council Member Keith Powers on Thursday said he plans to introduce a bill that would legalize convenience store cats, which are technically barred from places that sell food, but have become neighborhood fixtures for their cuteness and ability to deter rodents.
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Policy

City Council approves Related’s Hudson Yards West plan for 4,000 apartments and no casino

Images courtesy of Related Companies

June 12, 2025

City Council approves Related’s Hudson Yards West plan for 4,000 apartments and no casino

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York City Council on Wednesday voted to approve zoning changes to allow for thousands of new apartments, but not a casino, on the undeveloped section of Hudson Yards. Related Companies' Hudson Yards West proposal includes four mixed-use towers, nearly seven acres of public green space, and 4,000 apartments. The original plan called for a casino run by Wynn Resorts, but Related scratched the gaming facility from the project last month amid strong opposition from community members and officials.
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Policy

Credit: Niklas Herrmann on Unsplash

June 11, 2025

NYC’s broker fee ban takes effect

By Aaron Ginsburg

Forced broker fees are officially banned in New York City. After a federal judge denied the Real Estate Board of New York's motion for an injunction, the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act took effect on Wednesday, meaning prospective tenants will no longer have to pay broker fees to real estate agents they did not hire. Passed by the City Council in November, the law shifts the payment of broker fees to the party who hired the real estate agent, transforming a longstanding system that forced renters to pay brokers a large upfront sum.
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Policy

NYC to remove ‘floating jail’ in the Bronx, build new marine terminal

Image via WikiCommons

June 10, 2025

NYC to remove ‘floating jail’ in the Bronx, build new marine terminal

By Aaron Ginsburg

A decommissioned floating jail moored off the Bronx in the East River will soon be removed, clearing the way for a new marine cargo terminal. City officials announced the plan Monday outside the vessel in Hunts Point, known as the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center, and said they will soon issue a request for proposals to remove the barge. The cleared space will house the new Hunts Point Marine Terminal, which will facilitate the transfer of freight from ships to final delivery.
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Policy

Flatbush Avenue overhaul includes center-running bus lanes and pedestrian islands

A rendering of the Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal at Flatbush Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Images courtesy of NYC DOT

June 9, 2025

Flatbush Avenue overhaul includes center-running bus lanes and pedestrian islands

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has proposed new center-running bus lanes along parts of Flatbush Avenue to improve safety and speed up service on one of the city’s most dangerous corridors. Unveiled Friday by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the project would convert two center car lanes into bus lanes from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza, better serving the nearly 70,000 daily bus riders who currently face average speeds of under 4 miles per hour—about the same speed as walking. The plan also includes pedestrian islands with covered public seating, shorter crossing times, and updated curb regulations to support local businesses.
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Policy

NYC traffic deaths hit record low in first half of 2025

New futuristic restrooms open in five NYC parks, each at $1M to install

NYC subway fare hike delayed, but will likely increase to $3 by year’s end

Rent Guidelines Board approves increase up to 4.5 percent for stabilized apartments

G train to shutdown on select nights and weekends this summer

As part of $116B budget deal, city will expand 7-day library service

Queens bus network overhaul rolls out

NYC taps landscape architect to reimagine Park Avenue

70,000 new homes could be built along Interborough Express with zoning changes

NYC wants feedback on plan to build 100K homes in Manhattan over next 10 years

MTA to boost A and L subway service this fall

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic outside of Manhattan, too, report says

City Planning Commission approves Midtown South rezoning

City looks to build mixed-use project with up to 900 homes on Hunter’s Point South parcel

Valentino co-founder Giancarlo Giammetti's $17.5M Sutton Place penthouse embodies Manhattan elegance

JFK AirTrain fare will be 50% off this summer to encourage public transit use

Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

Mayor Adams wants to remove part of protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue

Bronx casino bid at former Trump-owned golf course can move ahead after Council vote

NYC unveils new intersection design to better protect cyclists, pedestrians

New legislation would legalize NYC bodega cats

City Council approves Related’s Hudson Yards West plan for 4,000 apartments and no casino

NYC’s broker fee ban takes effect

NYC to remove ‘floating jail’ in the Bronx, build new marine terminal

Flatbush Avenue overhaul includes center-running bus lanes and pedestrian islands

138 Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn

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