CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES - INITIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS, KEY STAFF

 

Hearings Open to All New Yorkers, with Locations Across Five Boroughs and Virtual Options

New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) Chair Richard R. Buery, Jr. announced initial public hearings across the five boroughs, between February and April 2025, for New Yorkers to offer input on potential changes to the City Charter to promote fair housing and make the city more transparent and responsive. The announcement was made at the CRC’s first meeting, at which the commissioners adopted resolutions establishing its operations and designating staff, including Alec Schierenbeck as executive director.   

   

The first two in the initial round of hearings will take place on February 11 in Brooklyn and February 24 in Queens, with three additional hearing dates to come in March and April in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The first hearing, on February 11, will have a particular focus on housing, and the second hearing on February 24 will focus on government reform.   

   

“This Commission provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at our city’s governing document and examine how it is serving New Yorkers,” said CRC Chair Buery, Jr. “Today, our housing crisis severely limits where New Yorkers can live, what schools they can attend, how they can get to work, and whether their families can stay together. Our housing crisis contributes to our persistent challenges with homelessness. Our task, among others, is to examine the charter to see how we can help solve this generational challenge. I hope New Yorkers from across the city will take this opportunity to share their experiences and expertise so that we can build a more integrated, affordable city.”   

   

“I am grateful to Chair Buery and the entire Commission for giving me the opportunity to serve the city in this new role,” said CRC Executive Director Schierenbeck. “With hearings across the five boroughs, and robust opportunities for in-person, virtual, and written input, we are eager to hear from New Yorkers about how we can improve the charter and help city government tackle the great challenges of our time, from the housing crisis to the climate crisis.”      

 

The public hearing schedule is available below and on the CRC’s Public Meetings and Hearings webpage:      

 

• Brooklyn   

• Tuesday, February 11, 2024  

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM  

• Fire Department of the City of New York Headquarters, Robert O. Lowery Auditorium, 9 Metrotech Center (enter via courtyard off Flatbush Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11201        

• Queens  

• Monday, February 24, 2024  

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM  

• New York City Department of Design and Construction Headquarters, First Floor Multi-Purpose Room, 30-30 Thomson Avenue (enter on 30th Place), Queens, NY 11101   

Additional details about the hearings — including Zoom registration links for virtual testimony, translation services, and accommodations — are available on the CRC’s website.   

   

Select hearings will begin with presentations from experts on topics of interest to the CRC. The first hearing will focus on fair housing and how the City Charter governs housing and land use in New York City. At each hearing, the public will be invited to testify about ideas for improving the City Charter, with testimony for up to three minutes each. Members of the public can also submit written testimony to CharterTestimony@citycharter.nyc.gov. Hearings will be live-streamed and archived online.