Monday, May 17, 2021

DCP Launches Historic Plan to Bring Affordable Housing to SoHo/NoHo

 

Proposal will create 900 permanently affordable homes, support existing historic districts, enhance arts and culture via innovative arts fund model, and introduce flexible zoning for ground floor and other uses

 City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Marisa Lago today announced the start of public review for the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan, the first overhaul of local zoning regulations since these communities served as a manufacturing hub half a century ago.

The proposal will enhance equity and affordability by opening these two lower Manhattan neighborhoods -- with exceptional access to transit, schools, jobs and other amenities – to many more New Yorkers, while also enhancing the existing historical character of these vital mixed-use districts.

“Every New Yorker should have the opportunity to live in transit-rich, amenity-filled neighborhoods like SoHo and NoHo. Built on years of community engagement, this proposal was crafted with a lens focused on fair housing, an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing SoHo/NoHo as a regional hub for jobs and commerce, and preserving and augmenting the arts. Through permanently affordable housing requirements and support for the arts, this plan is a giant step forward towards a more equitable and even livelier New York City,” said CPC Chair Marisa Lago.

“The rezoning of SoHo and NoHo was one of the key strategies outlined in the City's Where We Live NYC fair housing plan to promote equitable housing development across the five boroughs,” said NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Louise Carroll. “It is critical that we both create more affordable housing in well-resourced, transit-rich neighborhoods like Soho and NoHo, while also continuing our work to ensure that all communities have the resources and amenities that residents need to thrive.”

“With both a rich creative history and vibrant contemporary cultural life, SoHo and neighboring areas are home to extraordinary cultural communities that have been integral to residents' lives for generations,” said NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Gonzalo Casals. “As we move forward on public review for this rare opportunity, we will continue to work with our partners at DCP and in the community to make investments that have the potential to preserve and expand the cultural assets in these neighborhoods for artists and residents alike.”

The SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan would, for the first time, permit housing and require affordable housing in all new developments, allowing as many as 3,500 new homes to be created, 900 of which would be permanently affordable homes via the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program. In addition to new homes created on vacant and underutilized land, conversion of existing non-residential space to residential would create homes, and because of MIH, a more diverse, mixed-income community. Existing rent-regulated homes, many covered by the Loft Law, will remain protected.

This initiative furthers the priorities developed in Where We Live NYC, the City’s fair housing plan. Where We Live NYC calls for changes to ensure every neighborhood contributes to the City’s affordable housing development goals – especially amenity-rich, high-income, disproportionately white areas like SoHo and NoHo.

The proposal introduces height limits in these areas for the first time, which will result in the creation of loft-like structures, long-beloved in SoHo and NoHo. To enhance and protect the neighborhoods’ historic character and building forms, no towers will be allowed. The proposal’s height limits include:

  • Outside of the historic districts and along Canal Street and the Bowery, “Opportunity Areas” allow increased density and a maximum height of 275 feet, which is appropriate to the existing context. In comparison, the tallest existing building in the “SoHo West” Opportunity Zone is the approximately 400-foot Telephone Building.
  • Along historic district commercial corridors, including Broadway, the maximum height proposed is 205 feet.
  • In the historic cores of the proposed project areas, maximum height is proposed at 145 feet.

New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission’s review and certification of appropriateness remains unchanged throughout the historic districts, which is about 85% of total rezoning area.

The proposal seeks to support the legacy of arts and culture in and around SoHo and NoHo over the long-term via a new arts fund model. The arts fund creates a mechanism for those living in Joint Living Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA) who wish to convert to a residential use through a contribution to a neighborhood arts fund. This is completely optional and up to the JLWQA tenant, expanding the choices available to them. The JLWQA program will also remain an option for certified artists in perpetuity.

The arts fund will be overseen by DCLA and its designated partners. The fund will be built up over time and allocated in ways that invest in existing and new cultural infrastructure that enhance the public presence of the arts and propel the cultural legacies of these communities for generations to come. The fund will be designed flexibly to meet the goal of expanding access to cultural amenities in SoHo and NoHo and the surrounding lower Manhattan communities below 14th Street.

The arts fund model presents an exciting opportunity to enhance the public presence of the arts and DCP and DCLA look forward to continuing to work with existing cultural communities in the area and other stakeholders to further develop the proposed arts fund.

The proposal will also introduce sensible use rules that recognize SoHo/NoHo's status as a major economic engine and retail destination and support post-pandemic recovery.

By replacing and updating 50-year-old manufacturing-only zoning laws, the proposal provides the necessary zoning flexibility for economic recovery and adaptation for businesses, especially small business, artists and cultural organizations.

The proposed changes would cover an area generally bounded by Canal Street to the south, Houston Street and Astor Place to the north, Lafayette Street and the Bowery to the east, and Sixth Avenue and West Broadway to the west. The area is currently mapped with zoning districts found only in the SoHo and NoHo neighborhoods and which date to the early 1970s, when vacant manufacturing buildings were being repurposed by artists and others drawn to the neighborhoods’ versatile and affordable lofts.

The SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan builds on a two-year public engagement process that included over 40 meetings, including four recent virtual public information sessions. The Plan seeks to establish a new zoning district to address the community’s and the city’s housing needs and economic challenges. This work grew out of the Envision SoHo/NoHo report, which was co-sponsored by the Department of City Planning, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Council Member Margaret Chin.

Manhattan Community Board 2 has 60 days to review the proposal, after which it will go to the Borough President, back to the City Planning Commission and ultimately to the City Council as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). For further information on the zoning proposal or the ULURP timetable, please visit DCP’s website.


Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.

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COUNCIL MEMBER DINOWITZ HOLDS CORNER OFFICE HOURS

 

Last Thursday, Council Member Eric Dinowitz took to the streets of Norwood to meet constituents and host Neighborhood Office Hours.

Setting up on Dekalb and Gun Hill the Council Member was able to address community issues and concerns by meeting people in an outdoor, socially distanced way.

"We have many people in the community that have concerns or need our assistance to solve local or personal problems. I want people to know that my staff and I are here to help. I met some wonderful people and got to hear many stories of life in the district. By bringing my district office directly to the people, I believe that we can reach individuals that may not have access to elected officials or even realize that we can help them with situations that they face. I will be continuing to hold these office hours in other parts of the 11th District to better serve my constituents," said Dinowitz.

The next mobile office hours on your corner will be in Woodlawn, E 235th Street and Katonah Ave, on Tuesday, May 18, from 11am-3pm.


Governor Cuomo Announces New York State to Adopt New CDC Guidance on Mask Use and Social Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

 

Effective May 19, New York Adopts CDC's "Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People" for Most Businesses and Public Settings

Pre-K to 12 Schools, Public Transit, Homeless Shelters, Correctional Facilities, Nursing Homes, and Healthcare Settings will be Exempt Until More New Yorkers are Fully Vaccinated


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that beginning May 19, New York State will adopt the CDC's "Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People" for most business and public settings. Consistent with the CDC guidance, Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated.

"New Yorkers have worked hard over the last year to prevent the spread of COVID and keep each other safe," Governor Cuomo said. "That work has paid off and we are ecstatic to take this next step in the reopening of our beautiful state. The people of New York and visitors alike should take solace in the lifting of mask requirements, but be respectful of those who may still feel safest wearing their mask in public and business owners who may still ask patrons to don their mask. We are ever closer to our better, safer New York. We are New York tough and we have proven it."

To implement the CDC's guidance, New York State will be revising the following reopening guidelines to take effect on May 19:

Business Mask Rules

Given that the CDC has advised that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks and over 52 percent of New Yorkers over the age of 18 are fully vaccinated, the State will authorize businesses to continue to require masks for all in their establishments, consistent with the CDC guidance. In most settings, vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear a mask. Unvaccinated individuals, under both CDC and state guidance must wear masks in all public settings.  

The Department of Health strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination status of individuals is unknown. Mask requirements by businesses must adhere to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

This recommendation will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings.

Business Capacity Rules

As previously announced, most business capacities — which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy — will be removed on May 19. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet.

However, given that the CDC has advised that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to maintain social distance, businesses may eliminate the 6 feet of required social distancing, and therefore increase capacity, only if all patrons within the establishment -- or a separate designated part of the establishment -- present proof of full vaccination status. Proof of full vaccination status can be provided by patrons through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass.

For areas where vaccination status of individuals is unknown and for patrons who do not present proof of full vaccination status, the required social distance of 6 feet still applies until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated. This change will apply across all commercial settings, except the exempt settings outlined by the CDC.

Small- and Large-Scale Event Rules

Small-scale events will be able to apply the revised business mask and capacity rules. Specifically, for events below the State's social gathering limit of 250 indoors or 500 outdoors, event venues will be able to require masks for all patrons -- and DOH strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination status is unknown -- and social distancing of 6 feet will be required between parties of attendees, unless all attendees present proof of full vaccination status. Unvaccinated people should still wear masks.

For large-scale events that exceed the State's social gathering limits, event venues will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required distance, as follows:

  • Unvaccinated attendees and attendees who have an unknown vaccination status must be spaced 6 feet apart in assigned sections. Masks will be required in indoor event settings, except while seated and eating or drinking.
  • Fully vaccinated attendees may be spaced directly next to one another at 100 percent capacity instead of 6 feet apart in assigned sections that are designated solely for fully vaccinated individuals. Masks are optional. Venues must verify vaccination status to take advantage of reduced social distancing requirements.
    • Children under the age of 12 who are not yet vaccine eligible, and under the age of 16 who have not yet been able to be vaccinated, may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult in a fully vaccinated section.
      • Proof of full vaccination status can be provided by attendees through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass.

For large-scale events, proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result for attendees who are over the age of four remains required for unvaccinated attendees in indoor event settings above the State's social gathering limit but will become optional in outdoor event settings.

Today's announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen the economy given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As of yesterday, 62 percent of New York's adults had received at least one vaccine dose and 52 percent had completed their vaccine series. 

Additional details on the State's New York Forward reopening guidance updates will be available here.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress - Taxing the Rich, Explained.

 

Today is officially Tax Day, so we want to go into a little more detail on what exactly we mean when we say "tax the rich." Our leaders have historically taken the opposite approach: cutting taxes for the rich and expecting wealth to "trickle down" to the rest of us (spoiler alert: it doesn't).

As we work to reshape our economy and make it work for everyone — not just the people at the top — taxing the rich is the clear and necessary solution.

So, why do we need to tax the rich?

  • The super rich pay lower taxes than the poorest Americans. The United States has a regressive tax system in which the richest people actually pay lower effective tax rates across all levels of government than the poorest people in our country. Seems hard to believe, right? But it’s true.1
  • Taxes on the rich are much lower than they used to be. Check out this graph from The New York Times comparing rates from 1950 to 2018.2

  • Two men — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos — own more wealth than the bottom 40% of Americans combined.3
  • During the pandemic, U.S. billionaires saw their wealth go up 55% from $2.95 trillion to $4.56 trillion. Just the gains they made over the last year of this pandemic alone could pay for almost 70% of Biden’s jobs plan.4
  • U.S. income inequality has returned to Gilded Age levels from the early 1900s. Our inequality levels are the highest of all G7 countries (UK, Italy, Japan, Canada, Germany, France).5,6
  • CEOs at large companies in the U.S. now make an astonishing 264 times what the average U.S. worker makes.7 In 1989, the ratio was 58-to-1, and in 1965, it was 20-to-1.8
  • Polls show Americans don’t believe the rich pay their fair share, but Republicans keep lowering their taxes. Gallup polls as far back as 1992 have shown that the vast majority of Americans want to tax the rich more.9 Even then, Presidents Bush and Trump pushed through massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

Are you fired up and ready to tax the rich?

Good — because we can’t win this fight without grassroots activism and organizing. If you know someone who might benefit from reading the facts above, please forward them this email. If we can unite the working people of this country, we can tax the rich, close the inequality gap, and bring about a just economy for all of us.

– Team AOC


Governor Cuomo Announces Four Pop-Up Vaccination Sites at MTA Stations to Continue Operating Following Success of Pilot Program

 

Locations at Penn Station, Grand Central, East 180th Street and Broadway Junction Will Keep Administering Vaccines through May 22

Nearly 3,500 Doses Administered Across These Four Location — and 4,637 Doses Administered Across All Eight Locations of the Pilot Program — from May 12 to May 15 

MTA to Provide A Free Seven-Day MetroCard to Individuals who Get Vaccinated at Sites

All Sites Open for Walk-in Vaccinations on a First Come, First Served Basis; MTA Employees Can Get Vaccinated at Sites


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced four pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops will continue operating through Saturday, May 22 following the success of the pilot program. The stops include Penn Station, Grand Central, East 180th Street in the Bronx, and Broadway Junction in Brooklyn. The pop-up sites at these four stops, which began operating on May 12, have administered 3,497 doses from May 12 to May 15.

The sites serve up to 300 walk-ins per day on a first come, first served basis utilizing the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The MTA has partnered with SOMOS Community Care on the four locations that will continue operating until May 22 and provides a free seven-day MetroCardas an incentive to get vaccinated at the sites. MTA employees can get vaccinated at the sites.

"Bringing the COVID vaccine directly to the places where New Yorkers live and work has been a key component of our vaccination efforts, and it has been successful," Governor Cuomo said. "Our partnership with the MTA has made it possible to reach those New Yorkers who commute and work along our busiest subway stops, and so we are going to keep four of these pop-up sites open to get more shots into people's arms."   

The pilot program to bring the vaccine to MTA station stops launched on May 12 with eight pop-up sites. From May 12 to 15, 4,637 doses were administered across the eight sites.    

"The vaccine sites at our stations are meeting people where they are to make vaccine access as quick and easy as possible," said Pat Foye, MTA Chairman and CEO. "We've only got one shot to beat this virus and that's exactly why are extending these sites so we can get more shots in arms. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and thank him for his partnership on this important program."

Individuals planning on being vaccinated are encouraged to allow for additional time in their commute to accommodate the vaccination process. The hours of operation for each of the four sites is available below:

Penn Station - 34th Street Corridor
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

Grand Central Terminal - Vanderbilt Hall
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

East 180th Street (Bronx)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

Broadway Junction (Brooklyn)
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

Digital messaging will run on over 12,000 screens at MTA stations, onboard train cars, and buses to promote the site locations and hours of operation. Promotional content will be pushed to over 3 million subscribers across MTA social media platforms. Way-finding signage will be produced and posted at station pop-up locations to help ensure proper traffic flow. Information will also be available on the MTA website.

This collaboration with the MTA adds to New York State's ongoing efforts to make the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible. On April 27, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning April 29, all state mass vaccination sites are open for walk-in appointments, a continuation of efforts to make it easier for New Yorkers to get vaccinated. Walk-in appointments are currently reserved for first doses only or single-shot doses of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine, dependent on availability and location. Additionally, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments and eliminate other barriers for vaccinations for eligible New Yorkers.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state's vaccination effort.=

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

New York State continues to open community-based pop-up vaccination sites in underserved communities across the state. Since January 15, more than 200 community-based pop-up sites have administered more than 77,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Housing Lottery Launches For Washington Manor At 1969 Washington Avenue In East Tremont, The Bronx


Washington Manor Apartments at 1969 Washington Avenue in East Tremont, The Bronx. Courtesy of NYC Housing Connect 


The affordable housing lottery has launched for Washington Manor Apartments, an eight-story residential building at 1969 Washington Avenue in East Tremont, The Bronx. The development yields 46,976 square feet and is designed by OCV Architects. Available on NYC Housing Connect are nine units for residents at 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $39,120 to $77,340.

Residential amenities include a garage, a shared laundry room, and security cameras. Half of the units will go to community board residents and five percent of the units will go to New York City employees.

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are six one-bedrooms with a $1,141 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $39,120 to $64,440 and three two-bedrooms with a $1,381 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $47,349 to $77,340.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 1, 2021.


230 Days and Counting $30 Million Dollar Ad Campaign

 


No need to help residents and businesses here in the city, we will spend $30 million dollars on an ad campaign to bring visitors back to New York City. 



My son Dante is up in the Bronx at Fordham University to help get college students and others vaccinated. Dante, you could have asked my friend Ruben Diaz Jr. the Bronx Borough President for a Bronx shirt, rather than wearing your Brooklyn shirt up there in the Bronx.


Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program - May 16, 2021


105,099 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours

841,164 Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days

1,175 Doses Administered at Pop-Up Vaccination Sites at MTA Station Stops on Day 4 of Pilot Program

Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State's Vaccine Program Here 


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 105,099 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and 1,175 doses have been administered at the eight pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops on day 4 of the pilot program that launched on May 12. 841,164 doses have been administered statewide over the past seven days. The week 22 allocation of 926,450 first and second doses is expected to finish arriving today.           

"The vaccine is the weapon that can win the war, and the faster everyone takes in, the faster we can continue to safely reopen our economy and get back to a new normal," Governor Cuomo said. "We are continuing to work with community leaders and organizations to make the vaccine accessible to more New Yorkers, but we are seeing a lag in vaccinations and I remind everyone that we cannot get complacent with COVID. The vaccine is safe and effective, and the process is as seamless as it can be. You just have to show up at one of our sites across the state, roll up your sleeve, and help bring us a step closer to victory against the virus."    

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.                                   


STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 17,555,423

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 105,099

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 841,164

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 61.6%

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 51.9%

Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 49.8%

Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 41.6%