photo courtesy of streetsblog.org

Of course, we all know that the Big Apple is bigger than LA.  We are presently at just about 8.4 million, the highest population ever seen in the City’s history!  We also all know that we are more diverse and more dense than any other place in the nation.  The City’s Planning Department (a.k.a. New York’s Smartest) has a great wealth of population statistics http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/census/popdiv.shtml on the 5 boroughs.

We at ZONE are fascinated by several key facts: (more…)

Two quick updates on the City’s two major subway projects – one positive, one less so:

#7 – Tunnel excavation has completed mining!  The extension of the #7 subway line from its current terminus, 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, to its new end point, 34th Street and 11th Avenue, is well on its way thanks to a completed tunnel excavation.

2nd Ave – 2nd Avenue Subway excavation is reported to have technical difficulties that may result in additional delay to the projected 12/2016 completion date for the East 63rd to 96th Street Phase

These two subway projects are expected to significantly alter land use and development in their respective neighborhoods.  We will keep you posted as these projects progress.

Image from Google Streetview

In 2007, an owner of an upper east side townhouse submitted a proposal to the Department of City Planning requesting permission to convert the townhouse basement into a 1-car garage.  Doing so would require creating a 9’2” curb cut in front of the property in question.

The Department of City Planning rejected the application, citing Section 25-633 of the zoning resolution:

In the districts indicated, curb cuts are prohibited for residential developments on zoning lots having a width of less than 40 feet…

City Planning felt that this section disqualified the applicant, since the property: (more…)

Recognizing that multiple projects are stalled and that building code and zoning issues often cause delays, the City is poised to announce the creation of a City-wide position to work with developers, lenders and private sector ”white  knights” to navigate the bureaucracy.

A pilot Development Coordinator program has recently been launched in Brooklyn and Queens. The City has already created several programs aimed at dealing with the many stalled construction sites around the five boroughs - we have previously reviewed the new “Stalled Projects Program” and the new DOB Appeals Process.  The new Coordinator Position, which will be City-wide and located in the Mayor’s Office of Operations, will be a key contact with regard to these programs and other development-related issues.

We will be watching the appointment closely – we understand that those under consideration are experienced players with close ties to DOB and the real estate legal community.  Stay tuned for an announcement of the Mayor’s pick.