This Week in New York – Central Park To Become Car-Free, Head of Landmarks Preservation Commission Resigning, Lead Inspections & Open-door Helicopters Banned
Mayor de Blasio Announces Central Park, World's Most Iconic Greenspace, Will Become Permanently Car-Free
This afternoon, Mayor de Blasio announced that Central Park will become entirely car free as of June 27, 2018. Earlier this year, Mayor de Blasio designated Prospect Park’s loop drive car-free as well. The transverse roadways at 97th, 86th, 79th and 65th Streets are not affected by these changes, since they were built into the park’s original design as fully-separated, below-grade streets to accommodate thru-traffic.
This press release provides more details.
Meenakshi Srinivasan plans to leave commission after nearly four years at helm
Commissioner Meenakshi Srinivasan announced her departure from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission after being named Commissioner in 2014. During her tenure, the Landmarks Commission has granted over 3,800 buildings landmark status, protecting them from demolition or out of context alterations.
To read more, click here.
Open-door Helicopters Banned from Taking Off in NYC
The New York City Economic Development Corporation announced new rules on Wednesday banning “doors off” helicopters from taking off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. This heliport is the only NYCEDC regulated heliport that allows tourist helicopters. Currently, no “doors off” helicopters take off from downtown Manhattan; however EDC wants to ensure they are not allowed in the future, following an incident earlier this month.
Judge Orders New Lead Inspections in New York Public Housing
On Tuesday, a Manhattan judge ordered the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to conduct lead inspections in apartments where young children reside. This serves as a first victory for tenants who sued the housing authority following revelations in November that NYCHA did not conduct lead inspections mandated by federal and local law. This preliminary injunction is part of a larger lawsuit, which asks the court to impose an independent monitor for the housing authority. The law suit additionally alleges:
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NYCHA did not protect nor mitigate tenants’ exposure to lead.
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NYCHA failed to provide heat and hot water to tenants as required by law.
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NYCHA did not meet its statutory obligation to provide residents with economic opportunities or “share meaningful opportunities with tenants that arise from the billions of dollars of federal funding provided to NYCHA annually”.
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NYCHA failed to consult tenants on meaningful policy-making decisions, alleging that NYCHA does not give tenants sufficient notice ahead of policy discussions.
To read more, click here.
City Council Hearings: Week of 4/23/18
Name |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Topic |
Committee on Governmental Operations |
4/26/2018 |
1:00 PM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 16th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Hospitals |
4/26/2018 |
1:00 PM |
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan 6th Floor Auditorium Main Building 1901 First Avenue New York, NY 10029 OFF-SITE HEARING - Jointly with the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction |
Off-Site Hearing: Oversight – The Future of Psychiatric Care in New York City’s Hospital Infrastructure. |
Committee on Housing and Buildings |
4/26/2018 |
10:00 AM |
Council Chambers - City Hall |
Oversight - Third Party Transfer & HDFCs |
Committee on Youth Services |
4/26/2018 |
10:00 AM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 14th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
City Council Stated Meeting |
4/25/2018 |
1:30 PM |
Council Chambers - City Hall |
|
Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing |
4/24/2018 |
1:00 PM |
Committee Room - City Hall |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on General Welfare |
4/24/2018 |
1:00 PM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 16th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Immigration |
4/24/2018 |
1:00 PM |
Council Chambers - City Hall |
Oversight - How Does NYC Support Immigrant Parents of Children Ages 0-5 years? |
Committee on Health |
4/24/2018 |
10:00 AM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 16th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Public Housing |
4/24/2018 |
10:00 AM |
Council Chambers - City Hall |
Oversight: Property Management in NYCHA. |
Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management |
4/24/2018 |
10:00 AM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 14th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Civil Service and Labor |
4/23/2018 |
1:00 PM |
Council Chambers - City Hall Jointly with the Committee on Civil and Human Rights |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Environmental Protection |
4/23/2018 |
1:00 PM |
Committee Room - City Hall |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Women |
4/23/2018 |
12:30 PM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 14th Fl. |
Anti-sexual harassment trainings at city agencies. |
Committee on Environmental Protection |
4/23/2018 |
12:00 PM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 14th Fl. |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Aging |
4/23/2018 |
10:30 AM |
Council Chambers - City Hall |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Criminal Justice |
4/23/2018 |
10:00 AM |
Committee Room - City Hall |
Multiple meeting items, please see Meeting Details for more information |
Committee on Small Business |
4/23/2018 |
10:00 AM |
250 Broadway - Committee Rm, 16th Fl. |
Oversight - Small Business First Initiative |