Contrary to popular belief, the Department of Buildings now says that site safety managers or coordinators don’t have to be third party consultants. They can be employees of the construction company doing the work.
DOB is also responding to the frustration with plan review delays by sending notices to 850 owners and other applicants who have had plans rejected, inviting them to evening meetings with department officials during May. Anyone with approval issues can ask to participate, however, as the city tries to jumpstart construction and jobs with the “Get it done together” program.
Want to build up to 680,000 SF of retail space, up to 400 units of mixed‐income housing, and up to 387 hotel rooms on about 5 acres next to Citi Field? The New York City Economic Development Corporation has issued a request for proposals for Phase 1 of the Willets Point development project. Responses are due by August 12th.
State Senator Catharine Young, chair of the Senate Housing Committee, has introduced a package of rent regulation reform bills that might actually help preserve housing. S.4117 would allow owners to pay back J-51 tax benefits so that apartments re-regulated by the Roberts decision would remain free market. S.5147 would lower the threshold for high rent decontrol on vacancy to $1500 from $2,000. S. 5047 would allow high income decontrol for all tenants making over $175,000 two years in a row, regardless of rent level. And, S. 5041 says that failure to pay taxes at an address, or voting from another address, would establish non-primary residence.