The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is the New York City agency charged with administering the city's Landmarks Preservation Law. The LPC is responsible for protecting New York City's architecturally,historically,and culturally significant buildings and sites by granting them landmark or historic district status,and regulating them after designation. It is the largest municipal preservation agency in the nation. As of July 1,2020,the LPC has designated more than 37,800 landmark properties in all five boroughs. Most of these are concentrated in historic districts,although there are over a thousand individual landmarks,as well as numerous interior and scenic landmarks.
Hart Island,sometimes referred to as Hart's Island,is located at the western end of Long Island Sound,in the northeastern Bronx in New York City. Measuring approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) long by 0.33 miles (0.53 km) wide,Hart Island is part of the Pelham Islands archipelago and is east of City Island.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a public development corporation which provides public housing in New York City,and is the largest public housing authority in North America. Created in 1934 as the first agency of its kind in the United States,it aims to provide decent,affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs of New York City. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. NYCHA developments include single and double family houses,apartment units,singular floors,and shared small building units,and commonly have large income disparities with their respective surrounding neighborhood or community. These developments,particularly those including large-scale apartment buildings,are often referred to in popular culture as "projects."
Starrett City is a housing development in the Spring Creek section of East New York,in Brooklyn,New York City. It is located on a peninsula on the north shore of Jamaica Bay,bounded by Fresh Creek to the west and Hendrix Creek to the east. Starrett City contains both residential and commercial buildings. The residential portion of the property contains eight "sections" in a towers in the park layout. The complex also contains a community and recreation center,as well as two schools.
Julie Menin is a member of the New York City Council from District 5. Before she was elected to this position,she served as an American attorney,civil servant,non-profit executive,professor and small business owner. In January 2019,she was appointed Director of the Census for NYC and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel for Strategic Advocacy. Previously,she had worked as the Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and Commissioner of New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs.
Bill de Blasio is an American politician who was the 109th mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party,he held the office of New York City Public Advocate from 2010 to 2013.
In New York City,a planned congestion pricing scheme will charge vehicles traveling into or within the central business district of Manhattan. First proposed in 2007,this disincentivizing fee to cut down on traffic congestion and pollution was approved and included in the 2019 New York state government budget by the New York State Legislature. As of February 2023,congestion pricing is scheduled to be implemented in the second quarter of 2024. When the congestion charge goes into effect,tolls will be collected electronically and will vary depending on the time of day,type of vehicle,and whether a vehicle has an E-ZPass toll transponder.
Village Preservation is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the architectural preservation and cultural preservation in several neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan in New York City. Founded in 1980,it has advocated for New York City designated landmark status for a variety of sites like the Stonewall Inn and Webster Hall. The organization and its Executive Director,Andrew Berman,have been described as influential in New York real estate,while some of its activities to prevent development and to support restrictive zoning have attracted criticism.
Bradford S. Lander is an American politician,urban planner,and community organizer who currently serves as the New York City Comptroller. A member of the Democratic Party,Lander is a progressive politician,and has been described as "one of the most left-leaning politicians in the city."
Vanessa L. Gibson is an American politician who has served as the Borough President of The Bronx since 2022. She served as a member of the New York City Council,representing the 16th district from 2014 to 2021. A Democrat,she was elected Bronx Borough President in November 2021 to a four-year term beginning January 2022,running on a platform focused on recovery from COVID-19 impact,food insecurity and housing instability. She is the first female and first African American Bronx Borough President.
Rats in New York City are widespread,as they are in many densely populated areas. They are considered a cultural symbol of the city. For a long time,the number of rats in New York City was unknown,and a common urban legend declared there were up to five times as many rats as people. However,a 2023 study estimates that there are approximately 3 million rats in New York,which is close to a third of New York's human population.
Jumaane D. Williams is an American activist and politician who has served as the New York City Public Advocate since 2019. He is a former member of the New York City Council from the 45th district,which includes East Flatbush,Flatbush,Flatlands,Marine Park,and Midwood in Brooklyn.
The Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council is a bloc of progressive New York City Councilmembers that was formed in 2009. In 2010,the Caucus consisted of 12 members,nearly 25% of the 51-member New York City Council. The caucus grew to 35 members following the 2021 city council elections,before narrowing to 20 members in February 2023 following new bylaws requiring members to sign on to their Statement of Principles. It is co-chaired by Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn) and Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn). Jennifer Gutierrez (D-Brooklyn) and Carmen De La Rosa (D-Manhattan) are Vice Co-Chairs.
Corey David Johnson is an American politician and lobbyist. A member of the Democratic Party,he was Speaker of the New York City Council from January 2018 to January 2022.
NYC Ferry is a public network of ferry routes in New York City operated by Hornblower Cruises. As of August 2023,there are six routes,as well as one seasonal route,connecting 25 ferry piers across all five boroughs. NYC Ferry has the largest passenger fleet in the United States with a total of 38 vessels,providing between 20 and 90 minute service on each of the routes,depending on the season.
The 421-a tax exemption is a property tax exemption in the U.S. state of New York that is given to real-estate developers for building new multifamily residential housing buildings in New York City. As currently written,the program also focuses on promoting affordable housing in the most densely populated areas of New York City. The exemption is granted for any buildings that add multiple new residential units,and typically lasts for 15 to 25 years after the building is completed. Longer exemption periods apply in less densely populated areas of the outer boroughs and upper Manhattan.
Carlina Rivera is an American politician who represents the 2nd district of the New York City Council since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party,her district includes portions of the East Village,Gramercy Park,Kips Bay,Lower East Side,Murray Hill and Rose Hill in Manhattan.
Oyeshola "Shola" Olatoye (o-LAH-twoh-yay) was the 22nd Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) before resigning due to a lead-paint poisoning and lack-of-heat scandals.
The first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City was confirmed on March 1,2020,though later research showed that the novel coronavirus had been circulating in New York City since January,with cases of community transmission confirmed as early as February. By March 29,over 30,000 cases were confirmed,and New York City had become the worst-affected area in the United States. There were over 2,000 deaths by April 6;at that stage,the city had more confirmed coronavirus cases than China,the UK,or Iran. Bodies of the deceased were picked up from their homes by the US Army,National Guard,and Air National Guard.
George Floyd protests in New York City took place at several sites in each of the five New York City boroughs,starting on May 28,2020,in reaction to the murder of George Floyd. Most of the protests were peaceful,while some sites experienced protester and/or police violence,including several high-profile incidents of excessive force. Looting became a parallel issue,especially in Manhattan. As a result,and amid the COVID-19 pandemic,the city was placed under curfew from June 1–7,the first curfew in the city since 1943. The protests catalyzed efforts at police reform,leading to the criminalization of chokeholds during arrests,the repeal of 50-a,and other legislation. Several murals and memorials were created around the city in George Floyd's honor,and demonstrations against racial violence and police brutality continued as part of the larger Black Lives Matter movement in New York City.
