An abundance of end-of-year updates
The latest in news from New York
New York headlines have been jarring lately: a broad-daylight assassination on our streets, a controversial acquittal in our courtrooms, and more men joining the Democratic primary for mayor while the sitting mayor suggests leaving the party.
Behind those front page stories are developments that promise to reshape the city for decades—and choices we can make now to determine whether those changes will be for the better or worse.
We discussed the status of abundance and the work ahead at our panel discussion on Saturday—touching on many of the housing, transit, and streetscape issues currently up for debate among policymakers and the political class.
Find our (extra-large) roundup of those stories below!
Ryder
Housing Scarcity Addressed and In Action
The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity passed by a vote of 30-21 last Thursday. This update to the city’s residential zoning for the first time since 1961 was years in the making and was hardly a sure thing. Abundance advocates (like you!) demanding a little more housing in every neighborhood paid off—with major thanks also due to Department of City Planning head Dan Garodnick, First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and all those who voted yes. Unfortunately, the plan was watered down to help secure passage, now estimated to add 80,000 homes to the city—down from 110,000. Still, that’s vital progress: each home a place for a New York family to build their lives.
Another Charter Commission is coming from Mayor Adams, this time to propose changes to the City Charter (i.e. the city’s constitution) designed to address the housing crisis. While potentially promising, the effort is drawing skepticism since Adams’s last commission was convened to preempt city council proposals.
Short-Term Rentals may get a reprieve after being banned, with small homeowners arguing that they need the income from Airbnb-ing their places. Tenant activists, meanwhile, say these units must stay on the rental market. This is the upshot of scarcity, with too few homes needed by too many New Yorkers. (Meanwhile, a Bronx building repurposed from housing to shelter demonstrates our shortage of both.)
Transit Threats and Promised Progress
E-Bike Licensure was debated at the City Council this week, with a majority of council members misguidedly backing Intro 606, which would saddle bikers with a new regime of red tape just to ride. Similar systems tried elsewhere have been repealed given failure to solve the actual problem: preserving the safety of pedestrians and riders themselves. (Meanwhile, delivery workers are dying at record rates.) Thankfully two council members—Brooklyn’s Chi Ossé and Manhattan’s Yusef Salaam—have since removed themselves as cosponsors. Email testimony@council.nyc.gov to encourage the rest to follow suit.
Congestion Pricing got final sign-off from MTA and federal officials at its watered-down-but-still-useful $9 toll. Now it’s on track for a January 5th start, but myriad lawsuits still threaten the plan.
Bus Lanes are a mixed bag: new dedicated space was added on 96th street in spite of NIMBY opposition; still, the city is far short of legally mandated mileage.
Streetscape Safety and Vibrancy
Daylighting—removing the final parking spot at an intersection to maintain better visibility—is proven to save lives, but NYC doesn’t follow the state law requiring it at every intersection. That could change with Julie Won’s new bill.
Outdoor Dining is mostly a thing of the past, as city rules required roadbed dining to be dismantled until spring. That’s made it too costly for many restaurants; the program is down to a fraction of past participants. Meanwhile, NJ made their program permanent.
Fifth Avenue may get a redesign to increase pedestrian space by almost 50%, but at the cost of one of its two dedicated bus lanes. In the meantime, the boulevard’s popular holiday open street is being scaled back this year.
Awarded Stars, Failing Grades, and a Great Group Project
Michelin Stars were awarded to a select few New York restaurants while the Times named their fourteen favorite new spots in the city. Not included? The bagel place at risk of being evicted because of its (inexplicable) popularity.
New York’s voter turnout is not award-worthy: we ranked 49th out of the 50 biggest cities in America.
Our community came together on Dec 7 to discuss “What’s Next for the Abundance Agenda in New York?” with a sold-out crowd and the all-star panel of Ben Max, Mark Levine, and Amanda Litman. Thanks to all who attended!
