Businesses and City Council Members alike railed against the rollout of the new dining shed program under the city’s DOT at a April 22 hearing, arguing that it is far too onerous for applicants and has atrophied outdoor dining. ( Photo: NYC DOT ) City Council Holds Hearing on “Disastrous” Dining Sheds Rollout The City Council convened an impassioned hearing on the state of NYC’s revamped dining shed program on April 22, which attracted... News 24 Apr 2025 | 07:24
Two riders approach the intersection of Seventh Avenue and 38th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The wider, protected bike lanes are meant to make riding safer for the growing number of e-bikers. But some worry the faster, wider lanes will increase the danger to pedestrians since many bikers ignore all traffic laws. ( Photo: Garrett Owen) New Bike Lanes Debut in Village and Midtown; Riders Pleased but Many Ignore Rules of Road Up and down the avenues of Manhattan, brand-new wider bike lanes have been put in place by the Department of Transportation... News 10 Mar 2025 | 01:35
Council member Christopher Marte, front row center, leads supporters in a chant against artificial turf in New York City parks. Marte has introduced a bill that seeks to end the further usage of synthetic turf, referred to as the “Touch Grass” bill. ( Photo: Garrett Owen) ‘Artificial Turf Has Got to Go’ from City Parks, Say Marte and Supporters of New Rules Standing on the steps of City Hall on Feb. 27, District 1 Council member Christopher Marte, flanked by other Council members,... News 28 Feb 2025 | 04:45
The FDNY Emerald Society Pipe and Drums near Ground Zero on 9-11, 2023 near House 10 on Liberty St, the closest to the Twin Towers on 9/11 which lost two members of ladder 10 and 3 from engine 10 and saw the firehouse itself destroyed. It was rebuilt thanks to a $1.45 million grant from FEMA to following year. Photo: FDNY Why We Must Never Forget and Make 9-11 a National Holiday September 11th, 2001 left an indelible mark on our nation’s history. On that day, we took a solemn pledge to those who lost... Voices 15 Sep 2023 | 03:47
City Council Member Julie Menin was the key sponsor of a bill that will force hospitals to reveal the prices they charge for various procedures, by establishing the nation’s first Office of Health Care Accountability. It passed by a 50-0 margin, and now goes to the desk of Mayor Eric Adams, who is a supporter. Photo: Office of Julie Menin City Council Passes Bill Creating Nation’s First Office Of Healthcare Accountability Different private hospitals in New York City have truly astounding fluctuations in pricing for the exact same procedures,... News 10 Jun 2023 | 03:34
Mayor Eric Adams takes a sledgehammer to an abandoned dining shed. He is promoting legislation that will make the sheds widely available on a seasonal basis for people who like outdoor dining–while still trying to placate other community members who find them to be a source of blight. Photo: Mayor’s Office. ( Photo via Mayor’s Office ) Dining Sheds May Become A Summer Staple. Is This Right...Or A Blight? In a concession to the restaurant industry, a bill introduced in City Council seeks to formalize the introduction of dining... News 25 May 2023 | 09:36
Council Member Keith Powers referenced his father’s own experience running a small business in an acknowledgement of “how hard mom-and-pop stores work to keep their doors open.” Photo by Stephen Yang / NYPost, courtesy of Keith Powers’ office Council Member Keith Powers Backs Small Biz Break Small businesses were hurting badly during the pandemic — and the way Council Member Keith Powers sees it, they ought to... News 27 Jan 2023 | 07:26
Council Member Gale Brewer celebrated the discovery that a Key Food supermarket would soon fill an UWS vacancy near the intersection of West 88th Street and Broadway, left by the delivery app company Jokr. Photo via Gale Brewer’s Twitter The Problem With Chain Stores On the Upper West Side, vacant storefronts mark the spots where chain stores died. Council Member Gale Brewer can easily... News 05 Jan 2023 | 02:24
Todd J. Stein is campaigning as a community advocate. Photo courtesy of Todd J. Stein For Men Only, District Leader Race in the 76th AD Political potpourri – Welcome 2023 and all the politics that comes with it. The most hyperlocal of the political races this... Voices 30 Dec 2022 | 09:52
A rendering of what Fifth Avenue could look like, after new construction begins next year. Photo courtesy of the mayor’s office A New Vision For Fifth Avenue This winter, in a bid to encourage holiday shopping and festivities, the city transformed a stretch of Fifth Avenue from... News 21 Dec 2022 | 03:15
Flyer for the East 67th Street Market The East 67th Street Market’s Back! To Market, To Market to Buy – as the old nursery rhyme goes, contemplates going to market to buy and sell produce. But that... Voices 04 Dec 2022 | 10:04
Guests view exhibit at Beyond the Bricks launch at Ryan’s Daughter on the Upper East Side. Photo: Karen Camela Watson Beyond the Bricks: An Art Collaboration The pub was full – the latest hotspot-on-a-Saturday-night kind of full. But this was Wednesday, and there was no dancing,... News 19 Nov 2022 | 04:26
Dozens of protesters turned out at 250 Broadway, where City Council offices are located. Photo: Abigail Gruskin ‘The Yuck Mobile’ A mock dining shed on wheels stalled briefly in front of City Council members’ offices downtown, at 250 Broadway, in the... News 18 Nov 2022 | 10:52
Governor Kathy Hochul and William Hochul with Mirso Lekic (center) at Tudor City Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Tudor City Steakhouse Highlights of a Political Season Mother knows best – Congratulations to Russell Squire who was re-elected to a second term as Chair of Community Board 8.... Voices 18 Nov 2022 | 09:34
Council Member Julie Menin (right) gained unanimous and near-unanimous support for all five of her child care bills. Photo: Abigail Gruskin Five Steps Closer To Universal Child Care On Wednesday, the City Council made strides toward actualizing universal child care, by passing five bills brought forward... News 13 Oct 2022 | 04:38
