Statement By NYC Comptroller Brad Lander on Economic Conditions Facing NYC

 

Comptroller Praises Senate Deal; Identifies $800 Million in Additional FY 2022 Tax Revenue, Urges Rainy Day Savings to Prepare for Economic Slowdown.

 Following the release of national GDP data on Thursday, the Federal Reserve’s announcement of interest rate hikes, and the new U.S. Senate deal to combat inflation and invest in climate solutions, New York City Comptroller issued the following statement:

“The proposed Inflation Reduction Act promises urgently needed investments to confront the climate crisis and curb rising costs for families, welcome news for New Yorkers. I’m grateful to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for moving negotiations forward on important investments in renewable energy and lower prescription drug prices. While the federal government can do more on housing affordability, child care, and expanded health care coverage, this hallmark legislation will make a big difference in the lives of New Yorkers and people across the country.

“Our economic horizon remains choppy: the GDP data released on Thursday leaves little doubt that the recovery is slowing and high inflation persists. Both federal and municipal action is required to stave off an economic downturn and ensure our recovery benefits all our communities.

“At the national level, we must learn from the success of COVID spending programs, like the expansion of pandemic unemployment assistance to freelancers, to help those at the margins of our economy weather the coming storms. I also urge the Federal Reserve to maintain a data-driven approach that is mindful of its dual-mandate to both stabilize prices and achieve maximum employment.

“Locally, the City of New York must prepare to soften the blow of a possible downturn’s effects to City services and the wallets of our residents. My office identified approximately $800 million in year-end excess revenues that should be deposited into our long-term savings. Our City still has one-time federal stimulus money remaining to fill gaps in school budgets, and we must build our long-term reserves to withstand a future recession.

“This is a pivotal moment to reorient our city to tackle the long-term questions facing the City’s economy, as our office job ecosystem shifts away from a traditional 9-to-5 model and changes the geography of business activity, giving rise to more flexible remote work and more precarious gig work. The infrastructure dollars coming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the potential climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act will be huge opportunities for New York City to make long term, job-generating investments in projects, like Public Solar NYC, which will secure a thriving economy for the next generation.”

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Severe Thunderstorms Thursday Afternoon and Evening

 

Thunderstorms Forecast For Central and Eastern New York

Damaging Wind Gusts, Downed Tree Limbs and Power Lines, and Localized Flooding in Low-lying Areas Possible

National Weather Service Reporting Radar Confirmed Tornado in Wyoming County on Thursday

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Use Caution and Stay Alert During Evening Commute on Thursday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for strong and severe thunderstorms expected to impact most of the state on Thursday afternoon and continue through the evening.

"We're keeping a close eye on the forecast today as severe storms could impact much of the State into this evening, with reports of a brief tornado that passed through Wyoming County," Governor Hochul said. "I am urging New Yorkers to pay attention to their local forecasts and sign up for emergency alerts so they can take measures to stay safe ahead of severe weather."

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the State under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8PM. These storms are capable of bringing damaging winds, strong enough to down trees and power lines - resulting in outages, hail up to and possibly exceeding one inch in diameter, and heavy rain that may lead to isolated flash flooding.

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at https://alert.ny.gov, a free service providing critical emergency information via text/call/email.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Preparedness

• Know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.
• Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground should you have to leave in a hurry.
• Develop and practice a 'family escape' plan and identify a meeting place if family members become separated.
• Make an itemized list of all valuables including furnishings, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place.
• Stockpile emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
• Plan what to do with your pets.
• Have a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and emergency cooking equipment available.
• Keep your vehicle fueled or charged. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Tornado

• If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
• If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
• If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
• If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators - use stairs instead.

Flash Flooding

• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips web page at www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.

Governor Hochul Announces Rollout of Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credits for Low-Income Families

 

$567 Million Available to Help Low-Income Customers Pay Off Past Utility Bills

More Than 327,000 Low-Income New York Households to Directly Benefit

 Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the vast majority of $567 million dedicated to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills will be reflected on customers' August bills. The financial assistance program includes an estimated $557 million statewide COVID-19 bill credit program for low-income customers adopted by the New York State Public Service Commission. Under the bill credit program, the PSC leveraged $250 million from the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget to require utilities to provide a one-time credit to customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program that will eliminate unpaid utility bills that have accrued through May 1, 2022. The program also authorizes the same relief for any eligible low-income customers that enroll in EAP by December 31, 2022.

"I am pleased to announce that the largest low-income utility financial assistance program in the state's history rolls-out on Monday, August 1 - marking a major step forward in the state's ongoing efforts to help New Yorkers maintain utility services," Governor Hochul said. "No New Yorker should have their lights and air conditioning shut off as a result of financial problems caused by the pandemic. I applaud the State Legislature for their partnership to appropriate $250 million toward reducing the burden of utility arrears, which will be critical to helping vulnerable New Yorkers maintain their utility services, especially during these hot summer months."

At the direction of Governor Hochul, the Department of Public Service, the staff arm of the PSC, worked with the state's major utilities to credit the customers' accounts. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship for New Yorkers, particularly low-income consumers. Since March 2020, the number of customers more than 60 days behind in their electric and gas utility payments (i.e., in arrears) and the total dollar amount of arrears has grown to unprecedented levels. Low-income customer credits are expected to be posted to customer accounts beginning August 1, 2022 and consumers can expect to see the credit on their next billing cycle. Credits will be received by the vast majority of low-income customers of the major electric and gas companies on their August bills.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship to low-income customers and resulted in the shuttering of businesses and widespread loss of jobs. The number of customers that have unpaid utility bills and the total dollar amount of unpaid utility bills has risen considerably since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and this bill credit program provides financial relief to the most vulnerable residential customers in order to help them avoid having their utility services terminated for non-payment. More than 327,000 low-income New York households will directly benefit from the program.

Under the bill credit program, all State assistance available for utility bill assistance will be coordinated to ensure maximum benefits to ratepayers and to avoid duplication of efforts This includes relief available to low-income customers from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Emergency Rental Assistance Program to reduce unpaid utility bills, estimated at $100 million, coupled with $250 million from the New York State budget appropriation directed to utilities to eliminate pandemic-related unpaid utility bills for low-income households. Utility shareholders have provided more than $36 million in contributions to benefit ratepayers. The bill credit program is estimated to cost the major utility ratepayers $181 million after they are allocated their share of the budget appropriation, and customer credits and shareholder contributions that reduce the program cost are applied.

This one-time, low-income utility bill credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit. PSEG Long Island and the municipal utilities have been allocated $10.4 million of the $250 million appropriated in the budget to be used for the bill credit program for low-income customers. The PSC anticipates a future proposal by consumer groups and stakeholders to address the substantial increase in unpaid electric and gas utility bills for remaining residential and non-residential customers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the overall work to reduce unpaid electric and gas utility bills, Governor Hochul recently launched a new initiative between OTDA and the major utilities to identify more low-income households to enroll in the EAP program, which provides utility bill discounts that save participating households hundreds of dollars per year on utility costs.

Any newly eligible low-income customer that enrolls in EAP before December 31, 2022 will be included in the bill credit program.

Brazilian Woman Charged With Defrauding Clients And Misappropriating Their Money

 

Raquel Moura Borges Misappropriated More Than $4 Million of Her Clients’ Funds

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel R. Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging RAQUEL MOURA BORGES with securities fraud, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud in connection with her scheme to defraud customers of her investment adviser firm, Global Access Investment Advisor LLC (“GAIA”).  BORGES was arrested yesterday morning and presented before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Borges promised her investment advisory clients that she would invest in securities and other investments but in fact stole her clients’ savings and lined her own pockets.  Now, for this alleged violation of the law and of her fiduciary duty to her clients, Borges faces federal criminal charges”

USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Daniel R. Brubaker said:  “The defendant, a native of Brazil, was welcomed by Postal Inspectors with a pair of handcuffs upon her return to the United States yesterday. For years investors trusted Raquel Moura Borges and her company Global Access Investment Advisors in Manhattan with a combined total of over $19 Million. She allegedly violated at least two of those investors’ trust and broke the law by spending their money on a lavish New York City apartment and to cover other clients’ losses. The arrest of Borges should serve as a warning to criminals: no matter where they are, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners will be waiting at the end of that road to bring you to justice. We will commit every resource available to us in the fight against investment fraud and will track down fraudsters whether they are here or abroad.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1]:         

From at least in or about 2017 until at least in or about 2018, RAQUEL MOURA BORGES represented to Victim-1 that she was making financial investments, including a private placement investment in a particular Brazilian company, on Victim-1’s behalf.  In or about December 2017, over the course of three transactions, BORGES caused approximately $2.7 million to be transferred from Victim-1’s account to accounts controlled by BORGES. Contrary to the representations made by BORGES to Victim-1 and in violation of the duties she owed Victim-1, none of the $2.7 million was actually invested on Victim-1’s behalf.  Instead, BORGES diverted the money to others and spent approximately $160,000 on interior design fees for an apartment in Manhattan, New York that BORGES owned and used personally.  To conceal her misappropriation of Victim-1’s funds, in or about June 2018, BORGES sent Victim-1 a fake bank statement that falsely reflected a transfer of $2.7 million for the purpose of a “private placement purchase.” 

From at least in or about 2016 until at least in or about 2017, BORGES represented to Victim-2 that she was making financial investments on Victim-2’s behalf.  In or about August 2016, BORGES caused approximately $1.95 million to be transferred from Victim-2’s account to a GAIA account controlled by BORGES (the “GAIA Account”).  The purported reason for the transfer was an investment in real estate in New York.  Contrary to the representations made by BORGES to Victim-2, and in violation of the duties she owed Victim-2, none of the $1.95 million was actually invested on Victim-2’s behalf.  Instead, on or about August 23, 2016, the same date that the $1.95 million wire from Victim-2’s account arrived in the GAIA Account, BORGES signed a check drawn on the GAIA Account in the amount of $1,500,000 payable to herself (the “$1.5M Check”).  The “For” line of the $1.5M Check read “RB’s new house.”  Also on or about August 23, 2016, BORGES caused the $1.5M Check to be deposited into her personal account. 

In or about October 2017, in a meeting with a family member of Victim-2 and in a subsequent e-mail communication, BORGES admitted, in substance and relevant part, that she had misappropriated Victim-2’s money. Among other things, BORGES stated, in sum and substance, that BORGES had used Victim-2’s money to cover other clients’ losses and that BORGES would find a way to pay back Victim-2. 

BORGES, 55, of Brazil, is charged with one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of investment adviser fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the USPIS and also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a civil enforcement action against the defendant, for its assistance in the investigation.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. 

Attorney General James Sues CVS for Harming New York Safety Net Hospitals and Clinics by Diverting Millions from Underserved Communities

 

Lawsuit Alleges CVS Violated Antitrust Laws by Requiring Safety Net Hospitals to Exclusively Use a CVS-Owned Company to Process Federal Subsidy Claims

CVS Forced Health Care Providers to Incur Millions, Diverted Funds from Patient Care for Underserved Communities

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today sued CVS Health Corporation (CVS) for violating antitrust laws and hurting New York safety net hospitals and clinics that provide care for underserved communities across the state. CVS required New York safety net hospitals and clinics to exclusively use a CVS-owned company, Wellpartner, to process and obtain federal subsidies on prescriptions filled at CVS pharmacies. CVS’s scheme forced safety net health care providers to incur millions in additional costs, while CVS continued to benefit through its subsidiary. The lawsuit alleges that CVS’s unfair business practice deprived safety net hospitals and clinics of critical federal funding that could have been used to improve and expand patient care. Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking to end CVS’s unfair and illegal practices and to recoup lost revenue for impacted safety net hospitals and clinics that would improve health care services.

“While safety net health care providers are tackling public health crises and helping underserved communities, CVS is robbing them out of millions of desperately needed funds that could improve patient care,” said Attorney General James. “CVS’s actions are a clear example of a large corporation using its clout and power to take advantage of institutions and vulnerable New Yorkers, but my office will not allow it. We are taking action to stop CVS’s harmful practices and recoup critical funds to improve health care for our communities. When powerful corporations undermine the health and wellbeing of vulnerable communities in New York, they can expect to hear from my office.”

For years, CVS did not allow New York safety net hospitals and clinics to use the company of their choice to obtain subsidies on prescriptions filled at CVS pharmacies through the 340B federal program. This program allows safety net hospitals and clinics to purchase certain drugs at a discount from pharmaceutical companies and use the savings for patient care. Safety net health care providers in New York obtain substantial savings from the 340B program, which are critical to their viability and to the health of the surrounding community. To realize the benefits of the 340B program, safety net hospitals and clinics must contract with the pharmacies that are used by their patients. Under the CVS scheme, thousands of safety net health care providers across the state were only allowed to use Wellpartner to process claims filled at CVS retail and specialty pharmacies, forcing them to incur millions of dollars in additional costs to hire and train staff and change their data systems to align with Wellpartner’s system.

The lawsuit alleges that New York patients were the ultimate victims of CVS’s unfair practice, which siphoned off critical federal funding from safety net health care providers that could have used the funds to improve access to health care for the neediest New Yorkers — including New Yorkers without health insurance or an ability to pay for health care.

As of 2021, there were more than 4,440 safety net health care providers enrolled in the 340B program across New York, which include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), critical access hospitals, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grantees, rural referral centers, sole community hospitals, black lung clinics, community health centers, family planning clinics, and tuberculosis clinics. These facilities primarily treat low-income patients and rely on 340B savings to fund patient care services to underserved and vulnerable populations.

Safety net health care providers bear full legal responsibility for keeping records and may only collect 340B revenues on certain prescriptions, including patient prescriptions for medications used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Most safety net providers contract with a third-party administrator, or TPA, to administer their 340B programs. The TPAs confirm eligibility for each transaction and keep detailed records, as required by the federal 340B program rules.

In 2017, CVS acquired a TPA, Wellpartner, and began requiring New York hospitals to use Wellpartner rather than another TPA. The Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) investigation found CVS pharmacies did not contract with hospitals that do not use Wellpartner as their TPA, a violation of New York’s antitrust laws. Since there was no contract, the hospitals and clinics were unable to collect 340B funds that were rightfully theirs. Hospitals and clinics had little choice — they either had to go along with CVS’s self-serving scheme, or simply forgo the benefits to which they were otherwise entitled under the 340B program.

The OAG found that CVS’s plan was to leverage the strength of its retail pharmacy network in New York to force hospitals to use Wellpartner, rather than any other TPA. Many hospitals objected because they were already using other TPAs.

The lawsuit alleges that CVS’s actions undermined the goal of the 340B program and hurt the financial condition of safety net health care providers. CVS required health care providers to transition at a significant cost to Wellpartner if the hospitals wanted to obtain 340B revenues from prescriptions filled at CVS pharmacies. Many hospitals switched to Wellpartner for all their 340B needs because it was not practical or economical to pay for two TPAs. In addition, CVS knew that the 340B program rules do not allow hospitals to steer patients away from certain pharmacies, so health care providers had no choice in practice — if they didn’t go along with CVS’s tying scheme, they simply couldn’t collect 340B savings for patients who choose to go to CVS pharmacies. 

Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking injunctive relief, equitable monetary relief for the lost revenue and additional costs safety net health care providers were forced to incur, and civil penalties for CVS’s unfair and illegal business practices. In addition, Attorney General James seeks to require CVS to inform all safety net health care providers that they are not required to exclusively use Wellpartner.

Governor Hochul Applauds PACB Approval of Landmark Funding Agreement to Redevelop Penn Station, Revitalize Surrounding NeighborhoodNew Penn Station

Critical Milestone Advances Governor's Proposal to Renovate and Potentially Expand Penn and Fund Public Realm and Transit Improvements Without Raising Taxes or Fares on New Yorkers

Project Components Include Station Reconstruction and Potential Expansion; Up to 708 Units of Affordable and Supportive Housing; Vibrant Open Space; and Enhancements to Streets, Sidewalks, and Transit Infrastructure

Vote Follows ESD Board Approval of Penn Station General Project Plan

Information on Project Financing, Costs, and Cost-Sharing Available Here 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today applauded the Public Authorities Control Board's vote to approve a financial framework supporting her proposal to rebuild and potentially expand Penn Station and reactivate the surrounding area. The unanimous vote marks a major step toward actualizing the Governor's plan, which includes the construction of a new, modern train station; up to 1,800 units of housing - including hundreds of affordable and supportive housing units - brand-new, state-of-the-art office space; 8 acres of open space; and enhancements to the streets, sidewalks, and local transit infrastructure. It also affirms the State's commitment to delivering the project without raising taxes on New Yorkers or fares on transit riders.

Last week, Empire State Development's Board of Directors voted to approve the Pennsylvania Station Area Civic and Land Use Improvement Project's General Project Plan, Governor Hochul's vision to reimagine Penn Station and the surrounding area.

"For far too long, Penn Station has been an overcrowded, cramped, and neglected mess. This vote is a major milestone in our plan to fix Penn Station and transform the surrounding neighborhood," Governor Hochul said. "New Yorkers deserve a station they can be proud of, quality affordable housing to call home, walkable streets and sidewalks, and easy access to transit. This plan will provide all of that and more. I thank the Public Authorities Control Board for their approval, and I look forward to continued engagement with elected partners, community leaders, and other stakeholders as we move this project forward and deliver a station worthy of New York."

"For decades there has been talk of building a new Penn Station, but now we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a station worthy of the greatest city in the world," said New York City Eric Adams. "Future generations of New Yorkers will see the new Penn Station as proof that New York City can achieve big things, even during challenging times. I applaud the PACB for this historic vote, which will bring a world-class transit hub, quality jobs, and much-needed affordable housing to our city. I also want to thank Governor Hochul, as well as Governor Murphy and our partners at the MTA, Amtrak, and NJ Transit, for demonstrating that government can work quickly and collaboratively to 'Get Stuff Done.'"

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Governor Hochul's vision for a world-class Penn Station and revitalized surrounding neighborhood is the positive, long overdue transformation that New Yorkers deserve. Not only is the plan a win-win for riders, residents, and commuters, it is also a forceful catalyst for New York's long-term economic development. Transit-oriented development is a model of sustainable growth, and we are proud of the open, public process this project has gone through over the last two years, strengthened by the input of civic groups and community members who made their voices heard and helped improve the plan."

The PACB vote locks in an agreement between Governor Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams on a financial framework to fund the station reconstruction and potential expansion, public realm improvements, and enhancements to transit infrastructure. The framework ensures that the City maintains a current and consistent level of property tax revenue while requiring that the project funding come in part from private development. As part of the agreement, the City and State have committed to establishing a joint city-state development corporation to oversee public realm improvements in coordination with the Penn Station Public Realm Task Force.

Last November, Governor Hochul announced a comprehensive vision for a new commuter-first, world-class Penn Station and revitalized surrounding neighborhood that reflects the community's needs and focuses on public transit and public realm improvements. The Governor's plan prioritizes the reconstruction of the existing station while the station expansion and the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project - both of which the Governor supports - continue to advance. Under the plan, New Yorkers can expect:

• A modern, single-level, double-height train station that doubles passenger circulation space on the new public level from approximately 123,000 square feet to approximately 250,000 square feet.
• Up to 1800 residential units, (of which up to 708, or nearly 40 percent of units, would be affordable or supportive housing);
• 8 acres of vibrant open space.
• Wider sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly shared streets, brand-new pedestrian plazas, and protected bike lanes.
• Nearly twice as many entrances to Penn Station with new underground corridors connecting 34th Street-Herald Square to Penn.
• A suite of social services to support people experiencing homelessness and those with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.

In June, Governor Hochul announced that the Penn Station Reconstruction project had entered the design phase and launched a request for proposals for the design of the new Penn Station. Awards are expected to be announced in the fall.

Governor Hochul's plan comes after more than two years of community engagement, including more than 100 public meetings held by Empire State Development (ESD) and a year of public comment to solicit neighborhood input and recommendations. The final plan is a direct response to public feedback from local officials, community members, civic organizations, and other stakeholders.

Additional information about the project, including project financing, anticipated costs, cost-sharing, and revenues from private development, is available on ESD's website.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Plan Association Tom Wright said, "For far too long, the region's commuters and New Yorkers have suffered the humiliation of Penn Station - a symbol of everything that was wrong with 20th century planning: disinvestment, apathy and poor urban design. As both Penn Access and Gateway move forward, bringing more passengers, energy and connectivity to the district, we are pleased to see the renovation and expansion of Penn Station take a major step forward thanks to Governor Hochul's strong leadership and partnership with Mayor Adams. With input from elected officials, community members and stakeholders, the public won significant improvements to the plan including over 700 new units of affordable housing, commitments to improve the public realm, and reduced commercial density. We still have a long way to go, but this plan sets in motion significant improvements to Penn Station and the surrounding district which will benefit commuters, businesses and residents for decades to come."

Permits Filed For 1472 Shakespeare Avenue In Highbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 1472 Shakespeare Avenue in Highbridge, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of West 172nd Street and Shakespeare Avenue, the corner lot is near the Mount Eden Avenue subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Egris Haxhari under the H20 LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 61-foot-tall development will yield 22,852 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 34 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 672 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a cellar, a 38-foot-long rear yard, and 10 open parking spaces.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Escooter Company Expanding in Community Board 11 Outside of the Regulated Areas

Byrd Escooter dropped off six Escooters in front of the Liberty Diner Tuesday night at the corner of Williamsbridge Road and Lydig Avenue. The problem is that there is, and never was an Escooter coral there, so why would Byrd Escooter drop the six Escooters in front of the Liberty Diner? Has Byrd Escooter decided that they are going to drop off their Ecooters anywhere in Community Board 11? 

As if it wasn't bad enough that Byrd Escooter has their trucks dropping off their Escooters anywhere, but the rented trucks have out of state Oklahoma license plates which is depriving New York State of monies from the registrations of their trucks and do they have the proper New York State insurance? 

Byrd Escooters are being unloaded from this van to be placed in front of the Liberty Diner for the first time.

The Byrd Escooter van can hold up to 40 Byrd Escooters.

You can see six Byrd Escooters are lined up in front of the Liberty Diner at the corner of Williamsbridge Road and Lydig Avenue, where there are no coral markings and never were any Escooters placed here before.

When we look at the front of the Byrd Escooter van we see the number ten on the hood, but see no New York State License plate, registration, or inspection stickers. 

A close up of the rear license plate of the Byrd van shows a license plate from Oklahoma, so the Byrd Escooter Company has a fleet of out of state vans to pick up and put out their Escooters.